Rocky Mt 2007: Van Alstine Demos New Hybrid Tube/Solid-State Components
October 19th, 2007 — By The Absolute Sound
By Chris Martens
Frank Van Alstine, long a champion of affordable yet decidedly performance oriented audio components, demonstrated three new models featuring hybrid tube/solid-state circuitry: The Ultra EC Hybrid Preamp with tone controls (starting at $1799), the Fet Valve Ultra 550 Hybrid Tube Amplifier ($2199), and the Ultra Hybrid Tube DAC ($1599).
Several of these designs are based on 6N1P tubes originally developed for Russian military applications.
On the basis of a too brief listening session, we suspect Mr. Van Alstine may have hit the sonic nail on the head, finding that elusive sweet spot between the natural warmth and harmonic richness of tubes and the clean, clear, well-controlled sound of fine solid state designs.
The new hybrid models also appear to deliver rock-solid value for money, one of the traditional hallmarks of Audio by Van Alstine products. Read more from Rocky Mountain Audiofest 2007.
