Fatman iTube gets bundled speakers

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Fatman iTube gets bundled speakers

Bluebird Music has announced the availability of its new Fatman iTube Valve Dock with speakers from TL Audio. The Fatman iTube with speakers bundle ($750) consists of a tube amplifier, iPod docking station and a pair of TL Audio loudspeakers. “Unlike the ‘boom-box’ design of typical docking station music players, the iTube is a real, audiophile-class stereo which delivers the highest level of fidelity of any iPod-specific system currently available,” says the company. The iTube has two audio inputs, a headphone jack and video output. It’s compatible with all iPods except the shuffle, and comes with a remote control.

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Comments

1

Please review this if you get a review unit. I would love to get your take.

Posted by alexarch in Dallas, TX on December 11, 2006 at 12:06 PM (PDT)

2

There’s a thread on the Fatman iTube in the Accessories section of the fora. At least two members already own this kit, which is compatible with any iPod (including the shuffle) via the headphone jack, and with any docking iPod via the dock.

Posted by jack on December 11, 2006 at 1:51 PM (PDT)

3

It looks good, but why on earth do they have to plaster their logo all over the front of this thing?

Posted by B.Mick in Austin, TX on December 12, 2006 at 8:47 AM (PDT)

4

I’ve seen something very similar (if not the same thing) manufactured and sold under the Korean HCT (Human Connecting Technology) label. A professional review of this is a must as I’d suspect most audiophiles would like to know what kinds of tubes this unit uses and whether the power supply and electronics deliver the kind of performance they expect from a decent tube amp. On the HCT model the tubes have a removeable protective cover and two-way speakers have a nice piano gloss finish. The wiring looks good and there was a video-8 output in the back. Unfortunately I wasn’t carrying my iPod with me to check it out.

Posted by Eyecare on December 12, 2006 at 8:52 AM (PDT)

5

don’t get fooled by assuming it sounds nice because it uses tubes. A single EL84 as output ( seems like it) requires a pair of very sensitive speakers (>90db, for reference ER6i’s sensitivity is 106db). Most stock speakers like these only carry around 85 db. It will sound warm, as it uses 12ax-7 as pre amp (seems like) but you will find it lack of details and will weak bass. Also, one sould use good quality speaker cables and RCA cables to ensure quality sound.

Posted by Letsrock on December 12, 2006 at 5:31 PM (PDT)

6

I have the HCT version. It appears the Fatman is simply a branded version of the HCT (I went to a local store that had one to check it out and compare it to mine). The HCT sounds good, but the small speakers (while very good sound quality) are limited in the deeper octaves.

I plan on hooking up my Klipsch Heresies and see how it sounds in the near future.

Posted by Gonzo on August 17, 2007 at 8:05 PM (PDT)

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