iTube ValveDock Carbon Edition with Speakers

List Price: ~~$1,149.95~~
Discount Price: Too low to display

Brand: Fatman
Binding: Electronics

Features:

Enjoy the rich sonic character of 25 x 2 valve amplification in a full-featured iPod dock with included bookshelf speakers
27-key remote control is included, giving you complete control over all iPod functionality
Works with all docking iPod models (shuffle can use the auxiliary input)
Composite and S-Video outputs for viewing iPod photos or videos on your television
Superb audio reproduction and attractive design at an affordable price

Customer Reviews:

Itube Valve Dock Carbon Edition [Posted on 2007-11-26]
This is the most awesome sounding speakers that I've ever heard-I gave it to my son-in-law for Christmas-He just put his Ipod on the dock and it was unbelievable! It has hook-ups for a CD Player that you can attach-also you can hook it up to the TV and watch videos. It has many other hook-ups for the person that knows what they're doing also. It was a little pricey, but it has an enormous sound! I would highly recommend it. It looks awesome on a bar or is aesthetically appealing anywhere that you decide to put it!

Frustration [Posted on 2008-04-28]
First, the basic word: This device made my iPod sound gorgeous. I have tried several iPod speaker systems, and for sound, none have compared to the iTube. In this respect, the iTube does what Fatman promises: It turns spikey digital sound into a luxuriant musical bath.

My Carbon Edition iTube arrived timely and well-packed. I bought the base unit only, deciding to pair it with Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers. Set up was easy, but once done, problems immediately became apparent: 1. The unit takes a long time to warm up. 2. The remote, plastic and cheap feeling, operated only when I stood straight in front of the iTube. It was for all practical purposes useless. 3. I could only coax so much sound from the unit. In fact, at top volume, it seemed oddly lacking for an amp supposedly rated at 25 watts. 4. The volume control on the unit continues turning once one reaches maximum volume. Although not a big problem, it is an annoyance.

Still, the sound was lovely - until, that is, the next day. The unit ceased working. It just died. Although I enlisted the help of a friend who is an audio professional, I never figured out what happened. I shipped the unit back to Amazon (a painless process - thank you Amazon). I decided not to get a replacement. At Carbon Edition's price point, sudden death along with the other problems undermined my confidence.

If I could find a dependable iTube, I might reconsider. I do not listen to music at high volumes, and the remote's tendency to free me from couch potatodum might offset its limitations. Besides, the device looks way cool with the lacquer black finish and three glowing tubes. If Fatman dealt with the Carbon Edition's problems, five stars, definitely.

After an exchange, a great toy! [Posted on 2008-05-20]
The first one came damaged, but Amazon took care of that very quickly, well beyond my expectations. I'm listening to Clapton on it as I write, and it sounds great, looks great, I get so many disbelieving folks say it can't be mp3. The remote is incredibly nimble and works well from across the room. Great clarity and punch, at low or high volume. So vastly superior to my old Bose docking station (I gave that to my 9 year old daughter..does that make me a bad parent?)

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