Nakamichi USA announced it is shipping two models of tube-driven, multi-channel car audio amplifiers to the North American market.
The N60t and N40t use the “warm” and well-loved characteristics of tube valve technology.
First introduced in 1906, tube amplifiers gained prominence in the early to mid-1900s. Their use declined in the 70s with the emergence of the transistor, but tube amplifiers remain a niche favored by many audiophiles, professional musicians and recording studios.
Both models use one 12AX7 vacuum tube per set of inputs in the preamplifier section. Designed in 1946, the 12AX7 is still used in guitar amplifiers.
The amplifiers each have a transparent cover to showcase the tubes and internal components.
The six-channel, Class AB N60t offers 100 watts RMS from each of its six channels at four ohms. The channel pairs can be bridged to produce 300 watts through three channels or can be loaded to output 150 watts through six channels at two ohms. Inputs accommodate four channels of high-level speaker outputs from the radio or up six channels at line level.
The four-channel N40t offers 50 watts per channel at four ohms (150Wx4 RMS) and 75 watts per channel at two ohms (225Wx2 RMS). It can be bridged and loaded to one ohm, producing 450 watts from each of two channels.
“Since 1948 the Nakamichi brand has been synonymous with no-compromise audio reproduction, and this is a characteristic we’ve sought to emphasize in the car audio segment,” said Robin McNeal, National Sales Manager. Nakamichi USA Car Audio. “The N40t and N60t feature the power to be the centerpiece of a custom high-end audio system, and the flexibility to integrate into factory installed, premium audio systems. We designed them to cater to drivers who want to bring the musicality and tone of their tube-driven home audio experiences with them on the road.”
MSRPs are $1,799.95 for the N60t and $1,599.99 for the N40t.
Those are so sweet looking.