Posted On: December 26, 2006 10:13:54 AM
 
Name: Normand Lafrance
Email: normand.lafrance@sympatico.ca
 
Comments: Dear Syd,
 
    I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for your contribution to the way I now listen to music. With your help, 2006 was for me the year I rediscovered music.
 
    Let me explain.
 
    In 1975 I was 17. To me back then, a serious sound system had to pump out at least 100W RMS per channel through speaker boxes the size of a fridge (maybe a bit smaller). It had to include a 24 channel equaliser and a fully automatic turntable…. and a……and a…..So I decided that my parent’s RCA, already vintage looking tube system was obsolete!  As a student, I had worked long hours all summer, hoping to earn enough to buy my very own solid state Hi-Fi audio system. So I did. Like many of us, I bought Japanese made very powerful integrated pieces of equipment. Sacrificing sound quality, I had acquired POWER! It was the beginning of a 30 years long sonic detour.
 
    Throughout the years, I was never quite satisfied. I alternatively owned JVC, Kenwood, Akai, Technics, Sony, Pioneer and Marantz, always searching for that little something that the previous equipment I owned couldn’t properly deliver. I’ve got to admit that 30 years is a very long learning curve!
 
    And then, out of nowhere in July 2006, there you were, auctioning on eBay a 36 watts tube amp and telling the world that “We WOULD NOT sell anyone an amplifier that didn't perform to our high standards during listening tests.” OooooK, I believed you. I bought that Mini-36 tube amp advertised. So began a new sonic era for me.
 
    I swear to god, it took me 15 minutes to unwrap the amp upon delivery! Never have I received an item so well packed. I was very impressed. The Mini-36 is an entry level amp build on a plain 12”X8” black metal box. At first sight I thought “Woo! This looks pretty basic”. Never the less, I went ahead and proceeded with its installation. After just a few minutes I had all tubes plugged in plus an Arcam Diva CD72 CD player and Mordaunt Short MS10 speakers ready for take off!
 
    And what a take off it was! I was stunted! Stevie Nicks was there in my living room, singing just for me. At her right Lindsay Buckingham and at her left John McVie both playing acoustic guitar. I could hear the pressure of their finger nail on brand new guitar strings as they were playing. The mid and high frequencies were so accurate and detailed that my 18 year old daughter later described them as an “orgy of detail” when compared to her expensive but not so musical Ipod. The sound stage was so well defined, each instrument and vocals were easily localisable and the 3D effect was just as good.
 
    I knew I had found what I was looking for during the past 30 years. For that I thank you Syd.
 
    The following month we exchanged ideas over a matching Mini pre-amp, as always you gave the best advice and service any customer could ask for. So I ordered it. You kept me informed of the work in progress and the first thing I knew it was ready. Today, looking at it, I recognise the same high quality of material and the great craftsmanship found in the Mini-36.
 
    So I thought it would be nice to send you a picture of your babies. Here they are, side by side. As you can see, I added exotic wood panel in front and on each sides. It gives them a classy look. I also added an identification plate on each.

   In 2006, with your help I rediscovered music. Generated by my Arcam CD player, my genuine 1975 JVC turntable or my as old Quad FM3 tuner, the magic of music is always present thanks to the M4 and the M36. That’s the way it was meant to be heard. 

   Thanks again!

   Season’s greetings!

   Normand Lafrance