Happy New Year!

Hi!

Time again for the traditional New Year's Eve post!

What an exciting year this was! Filled with great sound, fine music, interesting projects and new adventures.

Time to recap which of the projects mentioned in the last New Year's Eve post got done and to look ahead what is planned for next year.

The differential EC8020 phono finally came to life both with copper transformers and all silver in shape of the ultimate phono stage as companion for the ultimate line stage.

In addition a version with D3a tubes was built as well.

To complete the fully differential line I also made a matching push pull amp with 10Y drivers and 300B output tubes.

I have been mentioning a potential push pull amp since several years, now it's finally here.

Planned for next year is an all silver ultimate version to go with the top line and phono stages.

Silver was a big topic as in previous years and I expect many more silver projects to come.

Another highlight was the 'rediscovery' of the 46 tube.

Last year I announced plans to develop a DA-Converter. This project had to be postponed since the biggest adventure of this year demanded a lot of my time. A tube amp builders dream came true for me: Starting a tube manufacturing business.

In August I announced the acquisition of all assets of ELROG and the founding of a new tube manufacturing company: Deutsche Elektronenröhren Manufaktur GmbH.

We are continuing the production of the known triodes 300B, 211 and 845 with several improvements and under tight quality control.

In addition we were able to announce a new type to join this line up, the molybdenum plate 242C. This will not be the last new tube type introduction. There is more in the pipe. First there will be a rectifier with thoriated tungsten filaments which we hope to introduce at the High End fair in Munich next year.

I get many requests for additional Elrog tube types. Next year we will evaluate which of those to develop.

I'd like to thank all readers of the VinylSavor blog, customers, suppliers and the staff of Deutsche Elektronenröhren Manufaktur GmbH for the great year! All the best for 2017 for you and your families!

Thomas