If you like the sound of a single-ended triode
(SET) amplifiers but need a reasonable amount of power to drive your speakers, the
$7800-per-pair Audio Space Reference 2 monoblocks could be the answer. Using a single 805
tube per chassis to generate 50 watts, the Reference 2 produced high-impact bass through
Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary speakers ($26000 per pair). Other components in this
involving, visceral system included a Gini CD transport (price to be determined) and a
Gini DAC1 digital-to-analog converter ($2790). Audio Space’s $9900 Reference 2 preamp
provided the necessary control features.
