A Tube Fest!

The amount of systems that featured tube dacs, amps, linestages and phono stages numbered in the many dozens. More than I've ever seen at a single show. If there isn't some sort of tube resurgence happening in the Netherlands it sure looked like one and I've the photos to prove it..... here's just a few of the many I photo'd.

Got a chance to hear the Cessaro Horn Acoustics model Beta 1, 4-way loudspeaker driven by some of absolutely gorgeous looking electronics from TruLife Audio. Their 833-based mono amps sported among the largest chassis I've ever seen with a price to match ($150k), and are said to put out 150-watts in Class-A. Sound was superbly wide-open, musical with tons of that three-dimensional magic tubes are known for.

The Air Tight ATM-2001 Ref mono amplifiers ($60k/pair), which serves as the company's flagship design, unfortunately were on static display only. But that didn't stop the many show-goers and photographers like myself from ooh-ing and aah-ing over this tube monstrosity. Employing a dozen 6550 tubes per chassis, this 330-watt behemoth should keep you warm and cozy during the winter months as well as your palms and PJs sweaty during the summer.

Hand-crafted in Estonia, the Audes Orpheus loudspeaker ($15k), sporting a newly designed crossover used their nicely decorated room that featured a huge running stream canvas photo spread to create a great soothing effect. This setup, using Lamm amplification throughout, sounded open and natural with a very relaxed presentation.   

Angstrom Research of Italy blew me away with their arsenal of tube electronics which included their AC mains passive conditioner (bottom photo). This stuff boasts world-class build quality boasting gold emboldened script on its faceplate.