Écoute Releases Luxury Headphones with Built-In Vacuum Tube Amp
There's something undeniably captivating about the warm, inviting sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. For years, audiophiles have cherished tube amps for their ability to breathe life into music, offering a listening experience that's both rich and immersive. Now, Écoute has taken this love affair to the next level by integrating a vacuum tube directly into a pair of luxury headphones.
Écoute's latest offering is a set of headphones that feature a built-in Korg Nutube 6P1 vacuum tube. This isn't just a gimmick; it's a true vacuum tube audio Hi-Fi system contained within the headset itself. The Nutube, known for its small size and low power consumption, serves as a vacuum tube preamp, increasing gain and clarifying the midrange—where our ears are most sensitive.
But the innovation doesn't stop there. These headphones employ a dual mono integrated amplifier design, which creates better channel separation. This component-based signal path design is typically reserved for high-end rack systems and is virtually unheard of in headphones. The combination of the vacuum tube preamp and dual mono amplifier transforms the way music is presented, exposing layers of detail where voices and instruments aren't just present—they're isolated in their own clearly defined spaces.
From a technical standpoint, the headphones boast active hybrid noise cancellation with a transparency mode, compatible with both Siri and Google Assistant. They support multiple listening modes:
- Analog: Connect directly via the 3.5mm port to any analog audio source, including 2V RMS line-level output from a phono preamp.
- Digital: Enjoy digital audio sources through the USB-C input with lossless high-resolution 32-bit/384kHz onboard digital processing.
- Wireless: Utilize Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC support for Android and AAC for Apple devices, ensuring high-quality wireless audio.
The headphones also feature high-bias Class A/B amplification and built-in DACs. Battery life is impressive, with a claimed 20 hours at maximum volume and a standby time of 30 hours. A full charge is achieved in 3.5 hours.
Listening to music with these headphones feels less like reproduction and more like a live performance unfolding right in front of you. The wide soundstage and realistic rendition of vocals and instruments make for an immersive experience that fills out the sound and adds warmth to digitally compressed audio. The midrange clarity and detailed resolution bring a new level of realism, especially noticeable in vocals and acoustic instruments.
One might wonder about the lifespan of the integrated vacuum tube. According to Écoute, the expected service life exceeds 30,000 hours, making the likelihood of it burning out and requiring replacement highly unlikely.
Priced at £652 / $799 / AU$1,303, these headphones have already sold out their current batch, with more units expected to ship in February 2025. It's a significant investment, but for those who value the unparalleled sound that vacuum tube amplification provides, it could be a game-changer.
In essence, Écoute has bridged the gap between traditional Hi-Fi systems and modern headphone design, offering a portable solution for those who refuse to compromise on audio quality. The integration of a vacuum tube preamp and dual mono amplifier within a headphone unit is more than just an engineering feat; it's a testament to the relentless pursuit of audio perfection.
