Hi-End 5 Watt tube amplifier 

The Gem is a Push Pull class A tube amplifier meant for bedroom, desktop, headphone or main system use. It uses many of the concepts we use in our other amplfiers. Its fully differential from input to output (RCA inputs only). It is overbuilt with precision parts; for example the output transformers are rated for 10 Watts so the amp can't get in trouble should a power tube fail. It can drive 4, 8 or 16 Ohm loads. This amp uses the same parts quality of our highly regarded OTLs and has power supply capacity found in many amps of 5x more power. 

This was originally designed as an amp for a bedroom system where reliability is paramount. Its low noise suits headphone use as well; its attractive and small enough that it is suitable for use in a good quality desktop or home main system (if the latter has higher efficiency speakers). 

We considered building a Single-Ended Triode (SET) amp for this project and so a number of designs were tried. SETs have a strong following; their proponents claim they sound better than push-pull amps. But output power and class of operation are never the same in any comparisons so far... So we found that if just these two variables are eliminated, SETs have no advantage over a properly designed and built push-pull amp, by any metric important to audiophiles. We were able to get the same power in a smaller space with wider bandwidth (most easily heard in the bass region where SETs are at their worst) and lower distortion, which translates to 'more transparent' since distortion obscures low level detail, and smoother for the same reason.

Features

- Fully Differential Design
- Two inputs with volume control- Suitable for headphones, desktop, bedroom or a main system with efficient loudspeakers- Two stage Constant Current Sources for each stage of gain (improves performance of each gain stage)

- Precision components used throughout
- Low-noise "star" grounding topology- Three-year general coverage warranty with one year warranty on output tubes