A recent article in IEEE Spectrum magazine provided a review of one of those retro-styled vacuum-tube-based analog amplifiers for the iPod. Some audiophiles claim that tubes provide a warmer, richer listening experience as compared to that provided by digital devices. I’ve often wondered about the validity of that claim, and so it’s good to see someone address that question. The article had a look at the N&S Valveworks amp shown below.

The author seemed to like the Valveworks product saying that it provides “superior audio reproduction” .. kind words indeed. Regrettably, no numbers were provided to buttress that claim/impression.

In a blatant truism and with a soupcon of elitism, the reviewer goes on to add that compressed audio formats such as MP3’s are not a true hi-fi medium, and do not compare favorably to the SACD versions of the same piece of music.

Mixed Marriage - IEEE Spectrum, June 2005

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