[jarcher]

There was a post earlier this year about their tube dock, but they also have home theater in a box w/ preamp tubes.  A HTIB from Panasonic I have promises "tube sound tech", but Samsung actually went out & built it.  Gotta give em props for actually doing this for a mass market product.  Anyone actually hear any of this gear?

http://www.samsung.com/us/2012-vacuum-tube-amplifier/

[Bemopti123]

I have seen it in BB.  Looks well finished enough but anything that is made by a large Corporation, either predicts a upcoming trend in the future OR it simply attempts to repackage and profit from some niche market.....  that already exists.  I somehow feel that it might impact rather positively BUT I highly doubt that the people who purchase such devices will ditch it and go for a full fledge dedicated hifi or tubed system. 

[jarcher]

I stumbled on it at the local HH Gregg, a depressing place I hadn't been in for years but wanted to check out tablets.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw tubes in a see-thorough window in a Samsung HTIB unit - a first I thought maybe it was just a sticker.  Can't make out what kind of tubes , and whether they are replaceable, their website or the product manual doesn't bother to clarify that either. Sorta look like 12AX7s.

Not gonna be in any rush to sell my Manley Stingray, but if I needed a HTIB for a secondary system I'd consider it for laughs.

 

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

There was a post earlier this year about their tube dock, but they also have home theater in a box w/ preamp tubes.  A HTIB from Panasonic I have promises "tube sound tech", but Samsung actually went out & built it.  Gotta give em props for actually doing this for a mass market product.  Anyone actually hear any of this gear?

http://www.samsung.com/us/2012-vacuum-tube-amplifier/

Yea, I have heard them, the Sound Dock & the HTIB at Best Buy stores.

The Sound Dock used 2x ECC82 (12AU7) & I think the HTIB should use the same tubes, driving Class D
power modules. They are hybrid designs.

The sound comes out immediately on switching on yet there is no sign of preheating the tubes at all as the tubes remain shut down until power on & glow to full power & work immediately. Wondering how Samsung has done it?

Both sound pretty rich & nice considering they both use Class D SS O/P power amps. Sonically they blow away all those pure SS Class D wireless soundboxes & HTIBs in the marketplace.

What good thing about the Sound Dock is it can be Apple/Galaxy operable. You can stream whatever music from yr smart phones & tablets.

A revolutionary idea initiated by hi-tech TV builder Samsung.

My question is - how come Denon, Yamaha & Okyo audio big brothers never come up with tube/SS hybrids in their HT receivers. IMO, a great shame!!

c-J

[Lord Soth]

[quote author=cheap-Jack link=topic=111479.msg1153683#msg1153683 date= Dock used 2x ECC82 (

 

A revolutionary idea initiated by hi-tech TV builder Samsung.

My question is - how come Denon, Yamaha & Okyo audio big brothers never come up with tube/SS hybrids in their HT receivers. IMO, a great shame!!

c-J
[/quote]

The problem with selling vacuum tubed equipment is getting a steady source of valves.

One of the major shareholders of the new production vacuum tube manufacturers is the Korean electronics giant.

Perhaps that's the answer?

[Austin08]

The problem with selling vacuum tubed equipment is getting a steady source of valves.

One of the major shareholders of the new production vacuum tube manufacturers is the Korean electronics giant.

Perhaps that's the answer?

+1, I think so, too.

[wushuliu]

No doubt the success of all the direct from china <$300 tube pres on ebay over the past 5 or so years is finally being noticed. There are more of them than ever so there is plenty of profit to be made for the big boys if they move in. They're being convinced that tubes are making a lasting comeback.

[SteveFord]

It was in Consumer Review this month as part of a best buy for a home theater system for what little that's worth.

[Freo-1]

At least this seems like a step in the right direction.  Many folks have never experienced tube sound.