Neuhaus Labs T-2 High-End Amplifier for Computers [Built-In Digital-to-Analog Converter, Vacuum Tube Tech]

I personally don’t get the hype when it comes to high-end audio equipment, especially when it’s for a computer. I never saw the benefit of spending a ton of money on speakers and soundcards when I feel it’s much better spent on faster processors and more memory. But the folks at Neuhaus Labs are not catering to me, they are after the audiophiles that are willing to spend whatever it takes to get the best audio experience possible. Their latest creation, the T-2 Amplifier, melds old-school tubes and modern tech to bring high-end audio to the PC set.

According to the folks at Neuhaus, computers were never meant to deliver great sound. I’m not sure I totally agree with them on that point, but this product has intrigued me. Their argument is that most computer soundcards are terrible, evil pieces of equipment that will do nothing but butcher your audio. To this end, they have created the T-2 vacuum tube amplifier in an effort to bring quality audiophile sound to laptops and desktop computers.

The T-2 works by extracting only the digital music files in your computer. When the T-2 is connected to your computer via USB, the soundcard is essentially by-passed. The pure unaltered digital files from the computer are then sent directly to the amp. The T-2 Amplifier has a built in Digital to Analog Converter, or DAC, that converts digital information into analog music signals. Apparently, when you connect computer speakers normally, they attach to your sound out or headphone plug which produces terrible sound quality because it uses the computer’s sound card, which is, again, not meant to produce quality sounding music. The sound is then amplified by the T-2 before making its way to your speakers.

T-2 Amplifier Specifications

• T-2 Amplifier is a true Push Pull Vacuum Tube Amplifier (not solid state)
• Output- 20W x 2
• Frequency Response-10-30KHZ
• Output Impedance-4ohm-8ohm
• Harmonic Distortion-1.5%(1KHZ)
• Input Sensitivity-1000mv
• Input Impedance-50Kohm
• Signal to Noise ratio-85db
• Power Consumption 100W
• Weight-19.8lbs 9kg
• Dimensions-11.5 (W) inches x 11.5 (D) inches x 6 (H) inches
• Tubes 4-6N7 2-6N1 2-6N3
• Homemade out put transformer is made with two special designed EI steels and the OFC wire by our technicians. It has high frequency range with low distortion.
• Stainless Steel Case
• Japanese ALPS Motor potentiometer
• Steel Black Piano Black Glossy Finish Front Panel
• Mirror Stainless Steel Body
• Removable Flat Black Steel Tube Cover/Clear Polycarbonate Side Panels
• Volume Remote Control
• Slow Start Power On
• Optical/Toslink/SPDIF Input w/Cirrus Logic 24bit/96kHZ DAC
• USB w/ C-Media 16bit/44kHZ DAC with X2 modulation for hi-frequency quality
• Anti-pop noise solution embedded on both chips
• 3 Rear Gold Plated RCA style input jacks
• Gold Plated speaker connectors

Headphone Amp Specifications

• Output impedance:16-32 ohm
• Frequency :40Hz-15KHz
• Sensitivity :100uV
• 1/4 inch standard input

Does all of this justify the $795 price tag? I don’t think so, but as I said, I don’t think I am their target market. You can get more info on the T-2 by going to www.neuhauslabs.com.