Vinnie Rossi L2i-SE

摘要

So overwhelming is the matter of choice when putting together a system that it can cause as much anguish as pose a fun challenge. What type of speakers? MM or MC pick-up? Integrated or separates? These usually sort themselves out due to space or budget, but 'tubes versus transistors' almost calls for a leap of faith - unlike 'digital versus analogue' because most enthusiasts can manage two sources. The valve/solid-state conflict, though, may find a cure in the Vinnie Rossi L2i-SE integrated amplifier, the 'SE' standing for 'Signature Edition'. Until this came along, addressing the matter usually involved either a hybrid product, eg, Radford's pioneering TT100 with solid-state input and tube output, or pairing a valve preamp and transistor power amp (or less often, a solid-state preamp and tube power amp). Vinnie Rossi's one-box solution may not be cheap at £18,995 in line-level form, or £25,985 with phono stage and DAC, but it is so clever and truly fascinating on an intellectual level that its absolute performance may even be secondary. I know that is near-heresy, but hear me out.