CES 2011 Coverage

Here is the Audio Power Labs 833 TNT (est. $80,000-$100,000). It’s the 833 because it uses those honking big 833 AM broadcast transmitter tubes. I don’t know why it is designated TNT unless they think it is likely to blow up. The tubes are liquid cooled so maybe that’s the case. It outputs 200 watts at 1% THD with an SNR of 75db, which is roughly equivalent to 12-bit resolution. Compare that to, say, the admittedly lower power Lamm ML3 Signatures which have at their rated power output an SNR of 100-106db (depending on weighting). The literature contains absolutely no indication of why this design is superior to any other. Remember their slogan: “My Tubes Are Bigger than Yours.” Perhaps that’s it. I will admit that it does look pretty snazzy and will likely impress your friends and neighbors.

Here are a pair being demoed with the $2195 Vandersteen 2CEs.

Manufacturers response:

Hello - 833TNT is 833 Tubes ‘N Transformers. That which is understood to be the audiophiles dream. Only tubes and transformer iron in the audio path. The firm owner wanted a “catchy” name, and thus your take on TNT is accurate as well. Something will blow up; likely your speakers if one is not paying attention.

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