Today's Fresh Catch is the beautiful Triode Lab 45 EVO SET integrated amplifier finished in Ferrari red (Rosso Fiorano)!
Triode Lab 45 EVO SET integrated amplifier.
The Triode Lab 45 EVO SET integrated amplifier puts out a robust 2 Watts of power, enough to easily drive my highly-sensitive Duelund-Altec Project vintage "Stokowski" Altec loudspeakers to live-like levels with the "gas pedal" only about half-way down, and there appears to be lots of power to spare!
Triode Lab 45 EVO SET integrated amplifier.
The fit and finish and parts quality are impressive.
The chassis design is shared with the Triode Lab 2A3 EVO SET integrated amplifier, as well as the upcoming Triode Lab EL84TT EVO integrated amplifier, and is nicely laid out for a visual treat.
Just seeing the Triode Lab 45 EVO integrated amplifier sitting in my living / listening room made lust bumps pop up all over my body!
Hashimoto transformers for the Triode Lab 45 EVO.
The 45 EVO has a full set of premium quality Hashimoto transformers from Japan.
Frankie tells me the Hashimoto transformers used in the 45 EVO are uprated versions of the Hashimoto transformers used in the 2A3 EVO, to ensure getting the best performance out of the 45 vacuum tubes.
Emission Labs 45 valve.
"This bigger sized output transformer also runs at a higher impedance (primary) to the 2A3 EVO, which is now optimal for the 45 tube."
The 45 EVO utilizes Class A autobias to achieve 2 watts output from 45 valves, and if you are adventurous you can drop in a pair of 2A3 valves for a 50% increase in power to 3 watts output.
2 inputs, binding post connections for both 8 Ohm and 16 Ohm loudspeakers.
As you can see in the bottom right of photo above, there are two sets of inputs, allowing for both a digital source and a phono source, which is my plan.
In the photo below you can see the input selector on the front left side of the chassis, and the volume control on the front right side of the chassis.
Triode Lab 45 EVO, input selector on the left, volume control on the right.
The 45 EVO does not have an onboard phono stage, so I'll be pressing into service either the Soundsmith MMP3 phono stage, or the Leben RS-30EQ for phono duties.
I might add that the Triode Lab 45 EVO is priced at $8500 USD without tubes, so you can choose whatever tube complement you prefer.
I asked Frankie to pick his favorite tube set for the 45 EVO, and he chose a beautiful set of new production vacuum tubes.
Triode Lab 45 EVO with the PSVANE ACME 274B (at the back of amp on left of the photo).
Frankie recommends GZ32, 5V4, or 5T4 rectifiers for the best sound quality. The 45 EVO can also use 5U4, 5Y3, or 5R4 rectifiers as well.
PSVANE ACME 274B rectifier (left), and NOS British Haltron 5U4G rectifier.
Frankie really likes the PSVANE ACME 274B rectifier that you can see in the photo above, but I noticed that the rectifier sustained some shipping damage internally, with some loose broken glass from its base visible in the tube.
NOS British Haltron 5U4G rectifier.
I substituted a lovely old NOS British Haltron 5U4G rectifier for the time being, in place of the injured PSVANE ACME 274B.
Genalex Gold Lion 12AU7 inputs.
The input tubes for the 45 EVO are generally 12AX7, or if you want lower gain you can use 12AU7 or 5751 vacuum tubes.
Frankie sent me a pair of Genalex Gold Lion 12AU7 inputs, and a pair of JJ Teslas to try as well.
Psvane CV181.
For the preamplifier tubes the 45 EVO utilizes the 6SN7, and Frankie sent me a pair of Psvane CV181 to try in this position, as well as some JJ Teslas as well.
Emission Labs 45 power tube.
For 45 tubes, Frankie sent the premium Emission Labs EML 45 power tubes.
Emission Labs EML 45.
The coupling caps used in the 45 EVO are Mundorf silver in oil capacitors.
Triode Lab EVO 45 tube complement.
To make sure the amp didn't suffer any shipping damage I hooked it up, powered it up, and did a little listening this morning.
Triode Lab 45 EVO.
Even cold out of the box, with no run-in time yet, the Triode Lab 45 EVO SET integrated amplifier sounds stunning!
There's a number of reviews ahead of 45 EVO in my review queue before the feature article about it will be published for Positive Feedback, but until then I'll keep you updated here at Jeff's Place about the 45 EVO as it accumulates run-in time and I get some more listening time in on it.
As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
