apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Case-Real design studio founder, Japanese designer Koichi Futatsumata, recently designed a stunning vacuum tube amplifier for the electronics manufacturer Elekit. Elekit is know for making affordable high-end audio equipment that's usually available in kit form, meaning that you have to do the assembling yourself. The idea was for Futatsumata to design an amp that would be sold ready-assembled to appeal to a younger market.

For now, this is only a prototype, but it's gorgeous. The usually exposed parts are hidden inside a sleek steel casing. The aluminum top acts as a heat-sink to dissipate heat generated by the components. The only controls are the two large knobs, which control everything. The vacuum tubes are still visible on the top, standing out from the rest of the assembly. It's incredibly simple and efficient. It will feature support for your iPod and other players. Pricing and availability haven't been announced, but other Elekit tube amps start at around $400

[via Dezeen, photos by Hiroshi Mizusaki]