Crazy Sale on Industrial-Chic Sonic Integrity Speaker Dock

Great tech don't come cheap. For something with great sound that is as awesomely cool-looking as this Sonic Integrity MP5-DS iPod docking station sound system, you can expect to shell out top dollar. But there's good news: It's now around half off! Click through to learn more about this gadget and find out where you can get one...

Sonic Integrity MP5-DS iPod docking station uses a tube amplifier system, which means you get warm, rich sound from it's pair of 50-watt speakers.

Just as many audiophiles prefer tube guitar amps to solid-state amps, Sonic Integrity believes that vacuum tubes can create a livelier, richer sound for your iPod than traditional transistors.

It used to be less-than-comfortably priced at $750 from Amazon, but now is around 50 percent off at $380 (plus you'll automatically get free Super Saver Shipping!). Check out more info over at the Amazon.com product page.

Via GeekSugar

Comments (2)

Actually, it's 15 watts per speaker from the tube output, which is clearly stated in the Amazon link. The 50 watt per speaker rating is a red herring; most often used by people who sell speakers out of white vans.

Any clue what the two AAA batteries are required for?'

While I'm asking questions...anyone know the difference between this and the FatMan audio ipod dock which is nearly identical physically, has 50 watts per channel, and a remote control...oh and retails for $500 at Amazon ... and unlike this product has at least got a couple of positive reviews both on Amazon and the web?

Finally, even at $400; is it really going to stack up against that same money spent on some sweet vintage stereo gear on Craigslist?

posted by RJHD3 on June 24th 2009 at 9:52pm
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Great point RJJD3.

The 50 watt rating for the speakers just means they can safely handle 50 watts without causing mechanical damage to the speaker.

The 15 watt rating for the amplifier also raises a red flag for me. I'm no tube expert, but those tubes look suspiciously preamplifier tubes (12anot power amplifier tubes. Secondly, most SPUD (single tube) amplifiers closer to 2 watts not 15. Either the amp has a tube buffer stage with a solid state amplifier stage or the 15 watt rating is at a peak completely unreasonable distortion level and not a RMS rating. If it is the later it isn't going to play very loud with small low sensitivity book shelves.

The fact that they don't mention anything about the amplifier topology or the tubes they use makes me very suspicious. It is true that properly designed tube amps can sound great but their isn't a whole lot here to go off of. If you want eye candy, maybe it isn't a bad investment, but if you want to be guaranteed of quality sound there are surely better alternatives.

posted by roger_lew on June 27th 2009 at 7:25pm
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