The engine of every stereo system is the amplification. Whether it's a single-ended triode or push-pull Tube amp or a high-current solid state device, you have to drive your speakers with the right engine. Great tube amps will give the listener the intimate awareness of space and air around instruments. They also can have a midrange smoothness to die for. However, not all tube amps are great, muddy bass and bad dynamics are some of the characteristics of a bad design. We carefully audition equipment before we sell it at In Living Stereo. We make sure it's everything a tube amp should be. We care about audio, that's why you buy from us.

We are proud to represent the following manufacturers:

Art Audio
Exposure
Fatman
Leben Hi-Fi
Prima Luna
Rega
Shindo Laboratory
Simaudio
 

Please call us at 212-979-1273 or email info@inlivingstereo.com

Below are a few selections from our inventory.

The Lafon Western Electric 300B Limited is being produced in a limited run of just four pair (In Living Stereo has them all). The amplifiers produce 8 watts from an original production of new old stock Western Electric 300B's, considered to be one of the greatest triode tubes ever made. Truly, these amazing amplification devices are for the audio enthusiastic seeking something really special and rare. Shindo is for those who want the pinnacle in tube amplification. Certainly, in regard to industrial design, the Lafons are compact (in relative terms) works of art that are completely drool inducing (go get a napkin).

This was the first piece of Shindo gear that we auditioned here at the store and since it uses the obscure F2a output tube the staff couldn't wait to put it through its paces. We opened the box and couldn't help being taken back by this green beauty. But does it sound as good as it looks? Let's just say that we were all vying for the sweet spot since it sounded amazing even off axis (In my experience this is one of the golden attributes of a good sounding system). A few words of description about what we heard: Utterly transparent, holographic, super resolution, astounding bass control and incredible extension. I swear it has better bass than most of the high end solid state behemoths I've heard.

Power output is 10 watts with the F2a. Compact, beautiful and built without compromise, the Cortese is a true classic in the making. Speakers of 90db efficiency and above are recommended.

The long-awaited Shindo Montille entry priced power amplifier. Producing 15 watts in class A push pull, it offers high end quality without the high end price tag. Hand made using point to point wiring throughout like the flagship Shindo amplifiers. Features genuine new old stock Mullard EL84 output tubes with a dual tube rectified power supply. Speakers of 87db and higher are recommended.

Compact and beautiful, the Montille sets a new benchmark in affordable ultra high performance amplification. Ken Shindo has outdone himself again! Match the Montille with the Aurieges pre-amplifier and you have a Shindo amplification system for less than $7,500. Damn!!!!!!!

The Monbrison offers reference level performance that belies its price. It comes with both moving-magnet and Moving coil step up tube phono stage that blows away every separate phono stage I've ever heard. Cost is $7,900. This is an incredible value.

What can you say other than "wow"? This is a line stage only tube pre-amp and like every other Shindo product it is a keepsake. Costing only $3,000 the Aurieges will turn your current system into a real giant killer.

This beautiful little EL84 tube amp shows you why people love well designed and executed tube circuits. All point to point wired with no circuit boards, the 300 is a superb value at $2,495. If you want to get the 300X version with mullard el84 output tubes and upgraded parts the cost is $3,495.

The Carissa uses the full-bodied 845 output tube. Rich and dynamic, the Carissa with its polished surgical stainless steel is very Art Deco. A single-ended triode design, the Carissa outputs 16 quality watts with high current Class A operation. The Carissa employs custom, hand-wound, split-core output transformers similar to our more expensive amplifiers, to generate wider bandwidth than most transformers generally available. Compared to most other 845-based single-ended amplifiers, the top frequencies are more extended while retaining the tonal saturation through the midrange and bass regions this tube is justly known for. The extra current creates improved coherence thus avoiding the typically fat 845 mid-bass and bass. In short, the Carissa exploits the magic of the 845 tube to the fullest but offers far better control of the lower register and extends the top frequencies beyond what you've previously heard from tube products in this price range.

• Zero feedback design, high peak current delivery

• Automatic biasing circuit

• Dual-mono design on a single chassis

• High quality mil-spec, multi-layered 2 oz. copper trace circuit boards

• Employs a tube (CV-378/GZ-37) choke regulated power supply preceded by a pi filter

• Capacitors are low ESR/ESL types for increased high frequency performance

• Resistors are 1% metal oxide for low noise

• Output transformers are a novel split core type not normally associated with single-ended designs and custom-designed by Art Audio to give a wider bandwidth than most generally available transformers

• Tube sockets are ceramic with silver-plated pins
  Finished with polished (non-magnetic) stainless steel chassis, gold-plated transformer caps and nameplate

Solid State Amplifiers, Preamplifiers and Integrated Amplifiers

Solid State amplification is powerful and dynamic. If you want a great solid state amp or preamp, look no further than In Living Stereo. We test our amps to make sure they have amazing harmonics and treble purity. Moreover, we know the proper amp-to-speaker matching that will result in a truly spectacular hi-fi system. Whether it's a $500 integrated amp or a $15,000 precision separate amp and preamp combo, we've got it and everything between.

We realized very quickly that this is the best $1,250 integrated we've ever heard. Great sound and beautiful build quality.

The MOON i-3 integrated amplifier combines numerous technologies found in Simaudio MOON preamplifiers and amplifiers. Offering very high quality sonic performance, it represents an affordable alternative to the MOON i-5. Features include remote control operation, a maximum continuous power output rating of 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms / 160 watts into 4 ohms, six line-level inputs including a "home theater ready" input and a preamplifier output.

The i-3 throws a gigantic soundstage for the price. It is warm and offers excellent bass and dynamics for the price. It also offers incomparable build quality. Beautiful inside and out, offers, what we consider, excellent value.

If you like the i-3 integrated then you'll love the i-5.3 with it more refined and spacious sound. The MOON i-5.3 integrated amplifier combines numerous technologies found in Simaudio MOON separate components, such as the proprietary "Advanced Renaissance" amplifier technology which eliminates feedback; a preamplification section using "Class A" dual-mono circuit topology and extremely rigid extruded aluminum chassis construction. The MOON i-5.3 delivers reference level performance in a much smaller format. Features include remote control operation, 85 watts per channel of high current output into 8 ohms, a "home theater ready" input and a preamplifier output.

The Mira3 offers 65 sweet watts in a compact, well built package. I really like this integrated, not only because it sounds great but it's easy to use and comes with a very good moving magnet phono section. Match it up with the astounding Apollo CD player and the classic P3 turntable and you've got yourself a great value.

The Brio is the entry level integrated from Rega. It offers 49 watts and like its big brother, the Mira 3, value is the name of the game. It also comes with nice phono section. Always on the warm side, this is a real music maker.

The Fatman itube amplifier, this 13 watt cutie offers 2 inputs and comes with a separate ipod doc. So much of the time, ipod playback systems can sound thin and sterile. But with the Fatman you'll be able to sweeten up things a bit with a little tube warmth. It is surprisingly good and makes for a great office or bedroom system. A great gift idea, at only $649 it's a steal.