dice iTPA-220: ipod tube stereo on a budget

August 13th, 2007 post a comment stumble it! by: technabob

Many audiophiles will tell you that there’s nothing quite as sweet as the sound of a good old analog tube-based amplifier. While there are a handful for tube amps for the iPod already out there, most of them are quite expensive.

Dice iTPA-220 iPod Tube Sound System

This dock from Dice Electronics looks to change that. Not only does the Dice iTPA-220 docking stereo have killer looks, it retails for just $299, which is a great price if it really lives up the the “audiophile quality” claims its manufacturer touts.

The stereo is based on dual 20-watt 6N3 tube pre-amps (usually found in very expensive systems) and comes with a pair of really nice looking wooden bookshelf speakers. The speakers offer a 4-inch mid/bass driver, a 1-inch dome tweeter, and are bass-reflex ported for a bigger thump. The system will also charge your iPod while docked, and a remote-control provides volume and track control capabilities.

Dice is taking pre-orders now for the iTPA-220, and expects to start shipping them in September.