Laconic Lab Night Blues Tube Transformer Coupled Amp

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Jan 12, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Laconic Lab Night Blues Mini Amp

    https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://laconiclab.ru/laconic_night_blues_mini.html&sandbox=1

    [​IMG]

    With all the talk about some Fur Elise amp (which none of us have heard), I have looked eastward to find some high value gear. I present to you the Laconic Lab Night Blues Mini. Actually, I didn't do any of this work. Craig was the one who ordered two of these for fun.

    This amp tends toward more of a classic warmer bloomer tube sound, but it is not overdone. The NBM does not overly smooth details into shit like many other lower end tube amps I have heard. Resolution, liveliness, "PRaT", and engagement are very good; however it doesn't quite hit as hard or have the sharp attacks of the TOTL good tube stuff. The amp is transformer coupled, with a decent transformer, so that is a good thing. The NBM has two outputs, one high Z and the other low Z. I haven't had time to measure anything yet, but this amp performed very well with the HD650/600 on the high Z output and the LCD2.2 and PM2 on the low Z output. I also have zero idea about the tubes used, but I 'm sure replacements can be found on eBay.

    This is the value tube amp for these who found the Valhalla 2 a bit too bright or lacking in bass for their tastes. Sonically, this amp can compete with other transformer coupled tube amps I've heard up to about $1100. On a aesthetic level, it's quite utilitarian and very Russian. At current exchange rates, this amp would probably come under $250. I have no idea how much shipping would be. I'll ask if we can get this on the loaner program.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2016
  2. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    A $250 amp that can hold its own against $1100 amps? That's crazy. Gotta love the permanently tanked Russian economy.
     
  3. KurtSvensson

    KurtSvensson Friend

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    The strong US dollar*

    Us outside US does not enjoy it :(
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    To be clear, some $1000 tube amps suck and are worth $279 sonically. This amp definitely punches above its weight. I'm really impressed they got a decent output transformer. Craig was impressed enough that we are thinking about making an inquiry into lower cost transformers for a more affordable EC tube amp line. I've heard some good Russian designs in the past year.
     
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    That's a fair point, about overpriced amps, but I assumed you were also taking into account the amps that perform at the level they're priced at.
     
  6. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    If I read this correctly - EC is moving to the Soviet Union to make amps because they offer high quality / low cost transformers.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2016
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Well, it is called Russia now. Depends how much Putin wants us there.
     
  8. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    The non-mini version isn't available?
    Might be an even bigger upgrade.
     
  9. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    Either this or the Vali 2 will be my tube amp compadre with my Black Widow. Provided I don't go insane and get the Sudio Jr.
     
  10. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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  11. Noodlz

    Noodlz Almost "Made"

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    hm~ very curious about this amp. I see that it runs 6n24p tubes, will it be able to run 6n23p / 6DJ8 / 6922 types of tubes?
     
  12. 13713

    13713 New

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    This is interesting. I have to track one of these down now.
     
  13. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    that would be cool to have on the loaner program
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's a good amp, at a great price considering current exchange rates with Russia. The problem of course would be support in the USA, but in the EU, might be good option.
     
  15. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    The current exchange rate is 17980 Rubles = $236.33 USD

    Updated on February 2, 2016 from The International Monetary Fund. SO Marv is correct, under $250 USD at the current Exchange Rate
     
  16. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  17. KurtSvensson

    KurtSvensson Friend

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    I'm not sure it would be a great option in Europe but it probably would be in Russia. Eu doesn't have a trade deal with Russia and is thus suffering from the same problem with support, things stuck in customs for days as they are slow as hell, taxation etc. If you for some reason need to send it in it will cross two boarders without trade deal and get taxed twice. The result becomes robbery in broad daylight if you happened to need service (or something was malfunctioning from the start) for a product that is relatively cheap to begin with. For what it's worth, my experience with anything going INTO Russia (for all parties involved) is god awful but I won't bother opening that can of worms right now.
     
  18. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    How does the Vali 2 stack up to it, assuming a decent NOS tube is being used?
     
  19. trung225

    trung225 Facebook Friend

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    Apart from tax and support, there is one more problems with this amp in Europe, that is CE marking. All electronics devices must have CE certificate to be imported, used and sold in EU. The electronic devices, which don't have this certificate and be imported to EU, will be send back or destroyed.
    And I'm not sure amplifiers from Laconic Labs have that. I have asked their support via emails about it but have not yet received their answer.
     
  20. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    But how Tropical is it.
     

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