Get the weekly hi-fi digest — new gear, best reads, and deals.
Founded by Paul Ranieri, an engineer, inventor, and lifelong creator based in Chicago, Ranieri Audio Labs represents a fresh face in high-end audio equipment manufacturing. Established at the intersection of precision engineering and musical artistry, the company is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in audio reproduction. Ranieri's breakthrough innovation is the Varieta, the world's first universal direct-heated triode vacuum tube preamplifier, which supports over a dozen 4-pin DHT tube types including 300B, 2A3/6A3, 12A/201A, 26, 30, 31, 45, 50, 71A, 801A/10Y, 275A/252A, 245, and 842/VT52. The company's philosophy centers on the belief that true audio excellence comes not only from technology but from the ability to tailor sound systems to personal perfection. Paul Ranieri designed the Varieta to address a void he felt as an audiophile, explaining that while DHTs have long been prized for their natural sound, their use in final amplification restricted speaker options. By reimagining them in a preamplifier design, he removed those constraints and unlocked new tonal possibilities. The Varieta features dual-mono, zero-feedback architecture, custom transformer-coupled outputs, and premium components delivering crystalline clarity, rich warmth, and immersive depth. The company made its public debut at AXPONA 2025, showcasing their commitment to advancing vacuum tube technology for modern audiophiles.