Lab 12 really standing behind their products. Tried their tube dac and was really impressed. I got their headphone amp but unfortunately tube gear didn't really work out well in my system, lab 12 took it back and even offered to build one specifically for me. Really client oriented company who cares a lot about their products and their customers. It was interesting to visit them in Athens - very small and very tidy operation. They deserve to be known better

Steve IS a tube amp ! He GLOWS warmly when he talks about anything audio related !!!

Hi Steve. I discovered Lab 12 integre 4 in 2017 and never looked back. The warm sound and amazing power really made my vinyl come alive. I love the idea of being able to tube swap and that can be very addictive. I also appreciate the ability to change tubes easily and the ease of adjusting the bias with the display. I can't believe the difference tube swapping can make from el34s to 6550s to kt150s. I have emailed the company a few times and have got very quick responses to my questions. A great company to deal with in my opinion. Thanks for doing what you do, I'm a long time watcher and love your descriptions of products. Rob from the great white North of Ontario Canada Lab 12 integre 4 Audiolab 8300cd Project turntable

Steve, your passion is a salve for my heart. You, better than any other reviewer, is able to communicate why we all got into this hobby.

Steve, your joy is infectious! Thanks for sharing your experience the way you do! The interview/conversation with John DeVore was fabulous!

Just nothing better than a Steve Guttenberg review. His passion, knowledge, and what he hears comes through so clearly. Just the best! Thank you Steve.

I loved Steve’s smirk and glimmer when he mentioned the knob feel of this unit.

I nown since two years the Lab12 melto2 phonostage - rich and beauty with three inputs.I run on them the Brinkmann Bardo with a Koetsu Blsck and a Kuzma Stabi S with a shelter 501ii mono. AWESOME. Greetings from Berlin Germany

Now that you've mentioned Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. Receive a big hug from my Island!

You mirrored an experience that completely changed the direction of my life long journey into music and great audio sound. Mine was a chance garage sale purchase of a brand new pair of Celestion Model A compacts. I brought them home and was honestly unimpressed. Back in the box and into storage. A few years later while running diagnostics to solve a sound issue on my massive system, I setup the Model A's on a test bench,extremely near field, to examine the performance of my electronics individually. I used an Nad power amp and a little Xduo DAC preamp and "shock and awe" does not adequately describe the emotional response I had. I started listening to everything I owned. I eventually settled in with an Edelweiss 3 prototype power amp which is 6 wpc EL34 tube based by Wavebourn, hand made here in Austin Texas. That musical and so beautiful sound kept me up late every night for weeks and up early every morning as well and literally changed my life. The lab 12 you reviewed here seems much the same and to anyone who really loves music, you need a system that can give you this experience. Sure I still have the massive, bombastic 120db monster system but I think if I could only have one, the little tube would win out. Though I doubt anyone actually remembers my previous posts, you reviewed my in between system in the viewer system of the day which was conceived based on lessons learned with the little near field test bench taken much larger. But I have now incorporated the tiny system onto stands which can be positioned just few feet from my head while in my easy chair and with the flipping of a few switches, I can go right to that ultra personal and blissful sounding system. I love this hobby/lifestyle so much and share your emotional enthusiasm Steve. There is simply nothing else like it.

Steve, you should give a listen to the Lab12 dac. Spent some quality time with it and it’s incredibly beautiful.

I own a Lab 12 mighty. I like it most together with my vintage B&O Beovox S45-2 speakers. The amp sounds great, I'll probably keep it for a very long time. BR, Joe

Agreed, I really do love CCR. Back in my college days I listened almost exclusively to rap. But CCR was the one band my best friend and I could agree on. We would go to the beach, get stoned, and rock out to CCR; so many good memories. These days I hardly ever listen to rap, while CCR sounds just as good as it ever did.

Love your passion for tubes Steve. I have a 15w italian tube amp, Synthesis Soprano LE and the sound is so, so beautiful. Tubes really warm up our souls. Nice.

I have lab12 integre4 for two years now , and it’s awesome

Your appreciation of your viewers has meaning to us as well. You do a great job of being yourself and letting everything just flow out of you which makes for a very enjoyable KZfaq videos. Thank you Steve.

Hello Steve , Gregory from Gatineau Quebec here. I bought the LAB12 Suara and Pre 1 almost 2 years ago and my last purchase is the Klipsch Cornwall 4. I’ve always received great customer support from Stratos Vichos and that’s why I am shopping for their reference Dac. My 2 cents on the sound of that setup got better to MY taste is when I installed some EL34 tubes instead of the kt150 that came with the Suara amplifier. Sophia electric EL 34 tubes are very melodious compared to the kt150 which are more robust. Paired with the Aurender A100 streamer and the nice Chinese Doge Clarity 7 Dac with 8 tubes at the output stage makes some very nice music to my ears. Thank you Steve for your nice video you produce!

I’m so glad you reviewed these folks. Steve - I want you to have a great weekend. And fantastic advice with ohms advice - I can’t tell you how many times I have been surprised changing that.

Agreed, I want equipment that takes me away. My Dynacos also have the power switch in back. It is kind of a pain depending on the rack, and dangerous if you like to run them without the cages.

Stave Please would you review Lab12 V Line magnetic side by side. Thanks

Lots of gain through the pre-amp is very handy when driving a 'flee'-poweramp like the 45SE or 2A3SE's! I like "the simpler, the better" approach of the designer and the very reasonable prices for the gear.

I’ve heard the pre1 with the lab12 Suara and paired with michi mono blocks. With the michi the lab12 had a nice soft almost papery organic texture, great imaging but the leading edges seemed a little too blurred. When I played it with the Suara, all the pre1 good attributes seemed covered up by a grey veil. That’s not to say the pre1 was sounding bad just that the Suara was doing so much of its own thing it was hard to pick up what the pre1 was doing. The Suara changes were for the most part fantastic, detailed, organic, fast and forward in a good way. The forwardness was never too much though as the dynamics didn’t reach too far forward. Instead the forwardness and finesse simply made everything easy to listen to. My biggest gripe is that the Suara took away the pre1 colors and instead left a grey veil over top of it. Definitely good and considering getting the Suara but I’d love it if the grey color became colors.

LOVE my Lab 12 Dac1 Reference. I swapped out the tubes for NOS Siemens. Before that I had a Delta-Sigma based dac. So much more natural/beautiful sounding yet with clarity! I am interested in their Suara but I don't think it has enough power for my Magnepan 3.7i's. If they could make me one with higher output...that would be amazing. Sounds incredible.

I like audio designers who realize that less is more especially in most pre-amp and amplifier designs. I still miss my audible illusions modulus 3B. Simple design front to back. An afterthought: after l watched the entire video, I think you said it all in terms of what I’m listening for in a music system. My juices are flowing from this review. “It’s all about the music stupid” James Carville said that not me.😁

"An American Prayer", Wow, I'm going to search through my LP's for that one this afternoon. I haven't listened to that in at least thirty years. Thanks for pulling that one out of your hat! Great review on some pretty cool components. My first taste of tubes came from the integrated I'm listening to now, which have them in the pre-amp. It does sound lovely.

Steve great video brilliant a celebration of tubes and music .music on man peace to you.

Love the CND badge, peace ☮️, great review as always, thanks to your videos I have discovered the wonderful and beautiful sounds of Nils Frahm, thank you so much

It's nice to see you do it EL 34 SE amp, I went for the Decware Zen triode 34.6 integrated amp they call it the Rachel. the 14 month waitlist is all your fault.

Hi Steve, great video as always and such an entertaining youtube channel. Since you asked for some *feedback concerning Lab12 gear*, here is mine: I first heard of them from the rave reviews their Gordian power conditioner was getting. About a year ago I managed to get my hands on a unit for a home demo (a shout-out to Lab12 and their Swiss importer Mr. Daniel Frauchiger - who is btw the guy behind Merason DACs - who allowed this demo!). In the specific context of home system, the Gordian did not give any advantages so it was sent back to the distributor. BUT! The Lab12 power cords that came with it, oh they were a REVELATION!! I was using throughout the simple cheap power cords that come factory bundled with the electronics up till then, because, well, I too did not "believe" in power cords. Lab12 knack mk2 for ~$240 a piece was one of the best improvements I've done in my system. I have compared them with Vovox's cables (x2 the price), but I did not hear any improvements/differences. Thanks again for all the joyful and quality content you bring us :)

I had persuaded my friend to get a Lab12 pre and initially he could not get the real potential out of it. After a few iterations, the whole system sings beautifully and is exactly like you had described! He is feeding signal to a MciIntosh 300W x 2 power amp driving a pair of very decent Dynaudio Excite 32 little floorstander and I am enjoying music tremendously at his place!

Good morning Steve ☕️ Summed up …fun and enjoyable.😋

Good morning Steve I've been a fan of your channel for a bit now and I really love the videos you put out. Very much enjoyed your recent talks with John Devore; it was very interesting and enjoyable to hear your stories. Wishing you the best in everything you do. Thanks for the videos! I hope you have a present wonderful day.

I have Cornwall 4s, love 300b tubes with them, leben cs300xs and audionote p1se signature sound even better, both el84 one ISP/p the other SE.

That’s amazing! 85 db spl with 90+ peaks on a very inefficient speaker in a room as large as yours with only 10 watts is pretty phenomenal.

“Mighty”. Interesting name for small output power amplifier.🤣

STEVE! Please add some drop shadows to your “System of the Day” graphic. PLEASE!

I have the Reisong A10, a six-watt tube amp using EL-34 tubes. It's about a fourth of the price of the Lab 12. Low-wattage tube amps rock.

Nice to see you have the original Royal Albert Hall version of that album. After it was released, they discovered that it had actually been recorded at the Oakland Coliseum so they had to rename it The Concert. I visited Lab 12's website and noticed that the next amp up (the suono) is 25 watts/ch for about the same price as the Firstwatt F7. Might be fun to run a comparison between those two given how much you liked the mighty.

I love that Doors American Prayer. You gotta be moved.

And France!!!! Hey!

You're using the terms fixed and auto bias backwards. Fixed bias is the adjustable kind. Auto bias is non adjustable kind. Those are technical terms, not empirical descriptions.

You fired a shot across the bow with your comment of fewer comments lately. 😉 I, for one, have never been shy about commenting when I feel the need or urge to do so 😂. I can tell by the eloquence of your descriptions today that these products today have really impressed you with their fine quality. If I could afford these, you would have tempted me to rush out and place an order for the Lab12 and the Mighty Power Amp. 😉 You certainly have been touched by these devices. As always your job is complete and completed with eloquence, style, and enthusiasm )and rocking a classic SG shirt. 😂👍🏻👏🏻

Just noticed the goatee. Once it grows to about 3-4" you will look quite professorly.

I consider the Suara. Looks like a pretty good deal..

Love the vids despised to watch a vid around 2 years ago and well now I am addicted to audiophilia

Hello steve. Nice review, try tsakiridis devices audio and mamalos cable.

thanks for the link!

Hey Steve , did I spy an Ikea chopping board on top of squash balls supporting the Lab 12 ? Love it !!!

How about testing a 2a3 or 45 SET amplifier?

The Greeks are making some amazing equipment with Stavros Danos and his “Aries Carat” equipment designed and made in Cyprus and “The Lab” made in Athens Greece. There is just so much exiting new equipment coming out of Europe we’re as we’re I am in Australia it’s still a back yard or cottage industry in it’s infancy we’re great stuff is been hand made in back yards and garages, with the exception of a couple of speaker manufacturers.

I tested the pre1 and dac1 and loved them

you should try the croft acoustics,the micro 25 r preamp and poweramp 7r $1395 each. sounds like they're very similar sounding, but the croft has more power 55w being a hybrid biased MOSFET design.

As I have said before what would we do without Steve Guttenberg an honest opinion no bragging rights..just plain straight no nonsense lingo like the shirts he wears..by the way Steve are those shirts A/B class shirts or what..there you there loud and beautiful 😍 😉. Again great reviews keep.them coming.I love at the end segment "Steve what do you really think "".!!!!!

Steve I can instantly see your enthusiasm with sound equipment. Keep up the great work you are a legitimate source for great information. Now listening to Elton’s Tumble Weed Connection with my Prima Luna system.

Would be interesting to compare with the Lab12 integrated.

Now that's my type of VSotD

Listening to you from Pakistan too...

FYI, Fidelis just received a shipment of Lab 12 equipment, including the Mighty. The Mighty that I ordered was shipped today!

Just came across Lab12 at one of my local HiFi stores. Hi praise from the guys at the store. Wondering how Lab 12 compares to the PrimaLuna Evo series??? Steve?? Loving the videos, the passion, and the warmth. Keep on keepin' on Steve 🙂. Cheers Tony

Love the shirt today Steve!

Hi Steve like you I just love tube amps my amp is a affordable valve triode connected which uses four preamp and four kt88-98 tubs it can kick ass if required what Moore could any one want 🔊🔊love the vid as always 👍👍

GAIN

Steve. can pls do a review about the magic of different tubes types? thanks. 845 300b el34 maybe with Herbs.

Aren’t we due for some Herb? Tubes remind me of him

As a happy owner of Rogue Sphinx on Kef Ls 50 meta, I’m wondering the trades over this Lab12 amp, since You reviewed them both.

*Slightly off TOPIC:* _THE PSSD and a Epiphany happened to me a week ago._ All the New Technologies in Hi-Fidelity (you don't hear those words much) SUDDENLY MADE SENSE TO ME. For a gift I needed a 1 Gig Hard Drive and saw discounted one for 70% off and bought the SOLID STATE DRIVE Portable.... WOW, all my files ZIPPED into my DAT, came out into my AMPS and my KLIPS RP-600 became GIANTS SPEAKERS besting the CDs where those HARD Drive files came. THE SPEED delivery from the SSD increased my VOLUME by at least 6 to 10 dbs and my DAT suddenly had 100% JET FUEL excelled at having the better fuel. Most people don't read this far, but I'm suggesting that if you haven't tried a less than $100 Portable Solid State Drive that you do this QUICKLY. ..... btw, I make no claim to being any expert in this field.

I was so hoping you would be reviewing the Melto2 phono preamp. Maybe next time? Anyhow, another excellent review.

I absolutely love my custom 3wpc amp. I listen to it 90% of the time over my nearly 100lbs Mark Levinson amp (100wpc 8ohms / 400 wpc 2ohms). I love my Mark Levinson’s on Magnepan’s. However I really love the purity of tubes on my Zhu Audios. I’m interested in these Lab12’s especially with the 5yr warranty.

Despite the cliche' it is true more often than not - there is something magic about vinyl, tubes and horns, yes?

I noticed the power question that you mentioned concerning power amps, integrated amps, and receivers. For some reason, I found that sometimes the lower powered amp sounded better. That raises a question, what was the power race in the 1970s about? And, there are some megapower amps still around today. It's hard to explain, but I think I got your point.

Beginner audio enthusiast here. Got a quick question: at 10:10 Steve mentions that we consider going for lower power amps, but then again there are some speakers that people say they "shine" with higher power amps. So is this where knowledge of proper pairing comes in?

Steve .....you missed the essential comparison....😁😁 the Deckware UFO you have there on the shelf !

It is hard for me to understand how 10 watts can drive the LS50s. Do they have a lot of current? I have a pair if Magnepan 1.7is on order to use with a Luxman L509x and I am hoping it will be sufficient.

Hi Steve! Your remarks on the passive pre are making me somehow curious. I am an user of even lesser than a passive pre, as between my AudioNote DAC and Accuphase poweramp only a box with a volume pot, call it a passive pre, is present. I was blown away by the improvement in sound (noted, it is an super high quality volume control), before I used an double ECC82 (12AU7) pre with a very nice PSU. But now a pre seems so useless to me, it just introduces 'extra' to the signal path, where 'less is more'. But it is revealing, the quality of the source is very important. What does an 'active' pre-amp need to 'add' for you?

Sometimes I want lies. Tell me I’m beautiful! 🤪

Love the look

Hi Steve , what about the heat from the amp? This is single ended which I think automatically translates to being class A. I owned a similar (not lab 12) 10 watt low power amp and it was a room heater

Any plans to review either of the Lab 12 phono stages?

Ps your the best you left out spirit.

Hi Steve Have you ever considered reviewing an Audion Audio Sterling EL34 amp? A comparison would be interesting. Thanks for all the nice videos. Really enjoing them.

This is the kinda purist gear I personally really prefer and use in my own system, and these components seem like something I’d enjoy, but I’d mostly likely want a speck more power. The prices are extremely reasonable too. I certainly prefer lower powered tube amps for the most part. Eh…maybe someday 🔊🎶🙂

Hi Steve, I have my signature digital interconnect ready to send to you, it's yours to keep, I don't want anything back for it, it's just a gift, I just been an adress to send it to, you won't be obligated to do anything, you will love it👍

It would be interesting to compare lab 12 with Decware

Hey, Steve. I just bought the Mighty based solely on your review. I'm sure I'll love it!

First time I've heard a "reach around" turns anything off... ( ; > )

Not sure if it's a power or quality thing but going from a 60 watt blu powernode to the 100 watt rogue sphinx was a huge difference for me. I listen to death metal at normal volume levels and want to try low power amps but im just not sure if itll be good for this type of music.

If they are listening: that remote is really a deal breaker.

I'm sure it sounds great, but I don't see how they could include that remote in good conscience for that price. LED light strips come with a nicer remote than that.

I like it.

*SLIGHTLY off TOPIC:* = Today is Ordering Day. I'm bidding for a 701 Dual Turntable in Excellent Shape for I hope will be under $400. ..... I still want that Denon 103 Cart, but I need a MC pre/amp, so I don't know. I'd love to also own a NAGAOKA MP-200 NEW w/ BORON CANTILEVER $360.00, but it has the same MC problem.... both Carts sound like they are GREAT DEALS on a limited income.

ευχαριστώ Stelios! Interesting Greek products. It seems to me I got my audiophile leanings from my father. Glad to hear about the 5 year warranty. I just got a Bryston 3b SST for my LRS with 4.5 years left on the 20 year (!) warranty. Big BOLD sound! Now looking for a tube pre... In the meantime I'm using a Mu-Fi tube buffer with passive preamp. I hope you can review the MUSICAL PARADISE MP-701mk2 preamp. Rolls any pre tube and cap rolling enabled for $800... 🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵

The ol’ reach around eh

Can i olay the mighty with 90 db sensitive speakers???? At a small room of 10tm

Let,s say : I am perfectly happy with the stereo I have,otherwise This set would certainly be my choice though I would also try the passive version.

Steve what rca s did you connect these with, please ?

Great video. Any chance of reviewing the Fleetwood Deville SQ stand mount speakers?

Decware UFO2 or LAB 12?

so, lets stick with the ps-audio hybrids

I have the best HEADPHONES in the WORLD... but most people call it a Trailer.

In my experience and studies I came up to a conclusion that I will only trust a 16 year old ears with a dog or rabbit shape, most music reviwers seems to me sometimes they kinda sound more Ghost hunters hearing the stuff they pretend they heard of, Artistic Persuasion.