2B Radio Tuning Eye – Dial – Knobs

Quick Facts:
•    Jonas Damon Areaware 2B Vacuum Tube Table Radio
•    Price Paid: $300.00

PROS:
•    Delivers True Hi-Fi Vacuum Tube Bliss
•    Rock Solid Build Quality
•    An Artisanal Small-Batch Hi-FI Design Piece
•    Less is More

CONS:
•    Needs the right tubes – see review
•    Needs better FM antenna – see review
•    Slight Buzz – mostly inaudible
•    Expensive – but worth it
•    Wish it came in white
•    Not sure where you would turn for service

2B Radio above vintage 70’s Pioneer Tuner

I have a radio going almost all day. Radio emits a certain warm intimacy – it wakes me in the morning and tucks me in at night. Background or forground – NPR or classic jazz – it’s my daily personal soundtrack. Before a recent move I had to unload my big-rig (VAC/SoundLab) vacuum tube hi-fi.

During the decade plus that I had it, my Proton clock-radio got far more use. Tubes get HOT, take time to warm up, and use electricity like a Hummer uses gas. Not to mention, the entire room got very warm. But nothing else reproduces sound the way tubes do.  And there’s that beautiful authentic glow [visual and aural], like dim early Edison classic lightbulbs. Today’s tube resurgence began in the mid-nineties. Back then you could not get into the vacuum tube club without spending at least a few thousand bucks. China has charged into the vacuum tube village with a vengeance.

The 2B next to my 1938 Philco tube radio

Back to my radio. It’s a TUBE radio. Big deal you say? Well, it’s a modern day vacuum tube radio. The real deal. We’re seeing an emergence of extraordinary vacuum tube gear where the quality to price ratio is nothing short of revolutionary. But if you’re looking for a new vacuum tube table radio – this is you’re only real option. New York based Jonas Damon designed the 2B Radio for Areaware. Damon was recently part of New York Times magazine piece on up and coming industrial designers. Cool – an artisanal couture vacuum tube piece of hi-fi goodness. And supposedly only 100 have been or will be produced.  A company called Quest For Sound actually markets the same radio with a much different outer skin. In 2006 6moons gave it a glowing review.

A Braun Dieter Rams Bakelite Tube Radio

Damon’s design recalls a minimalist retro-modern Dieter Rams/Braun sixties era feel. Clad in smooth matte black aluminum – you’ll seriously love touching it – this baby is a deliciously weighty 15 pounds. The build quality is rock solid – fit and finish are first rate.

2B tuning eye

In the lower left corner is a lime-green “tuning eye” – actually a gyrating tube – useful for fine tuning. Rotate the on/off volume knob clockwise to “on” – and nothing happens. Patience my friend! The radio and the “eye” take about 20 seconds to power up – yes, tubes are not about instant gratification. After about an hour warm up the radio reaches it’s full sonic potential – and defies you to try and turn it off.

The 2B projects a rich refined solid bottom end, clean smooth highs, and a wet fully fleshed out midrange – a midrange only vacuum tubes can do. Just heard the sultry Astrud Gilberto classic, Corcovado, and I’m speechless. The Stan Getz sax breaths – acoustic guitar sounds woody and natural – the bass has authority and heft – and I can clearly follow every note – the performance floats before me – suspended on a cushion of warm humid Brazilian air.  The depth, body and texture of the vocals –  astonishing – is this a mono table radio or a vacuum tube stereo system?

Back of the 2B vacuum tube radio

At low volume levels – where vacuum tubes excel and most radios and stereos sound like dead gray mud – the 2B confidently retains its color and tonality. The musical spectrum hold its focus – lows remain deep and extended – music retains it’s satisfying body and cohesion – at all volumes. If you love the sound of a classic jazz trio you must hear what this radio can do.

removing the back plate

A switch on the back the back panel let’s you choose between the External and Internal FM antenna (I haven’t explored it’s AM band). Invest in a 6′ twin dipole F connect antenna for about $8 (radio comes with a short thin wire antenna) and the super sensitive tuner will deliver and lock down stations you never knew existed. The radio dial is a real slow turner, almost forcing you to take your time and explore.  Here in Southern CA the lower end of the FM band offers some amazing programming so I rarely find myself leaving that vicinity. Like any sensitive piece of hi-fi gear the radio will lay bare poorly recorded or poorly broadcast source material. I was easily able to discern the compressed congested signals from the more transparent sounds of jazz and classical outlets.

pair of Gold Lion EL84 tubes next to buffer tube

Despite every website claiming the 2B has an open back for better tube viewing – it does not.

After loosening a few screws (screws you will not lose because they remain cleverly attached the backplate) I easily removed the backplate to get a better look at the three beautiful tubes. Some sort of double spring mechanism is attached to each of the three tubes – either to reduce microphonics or to hold them in place for shipping. I carefully removed the springs and re-seated each tube – of course with the unit unplugged and the tubes cool.

Genalex Gold Lion EL84 Tubes

Now an audio confession. I lived with the radio for a few months. I was happy but not completety satisfied – I knew this radio was somehow more capable. First I tried a different power cord – my pricey but aging Aural Symphonics big blue – but it only highlighted what little congestion was already there. I had a hunch that the stock pair of Chinese output tubes were the weak culprit. I was right! Replacing the generic EL84’s with a matched set of reissued Russian Genalex Gold-Lion EL84 tubes was a HUGE upgrade! Everything improved 110% especially low end definition and microdynamics. These tubes are never coming out and this review is based on listening to the 2B powered by the Gold-Lions.

Genalex Gold Lion EL84 Vacuum Tube

I’m now addicted to and astounded by how good this radio is. It truly delivers the sophisticated vacuum tube qualities I’d been yearning for  – deep tight punchy extended bass – rich midrange presence and airiness (aah that piano) – silky detailed highs. Never brittle boastful or fatiguing – the 2B’s gifts seem to get even better the longer you listen. Like my previous VAC/Soundlab system the 2B’s sonic landscape is laid back and breaths with life. I’m now listening to a Sunday blues show and Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Tin Pan Ally is smokin’! Wow – the emotion, soul, and gutsiness of his Strat are right here in this room!  Wooahh! If you get the 2B, you need to spend the 50 bucks for the Gold-Lions.

A few concerns: I get a slight buzz which I actually don’t mind as it’s only audible when the radio is idle. I’m convinced our AC household power is terribly dirty and old but have not tested the radio elsewhere. Lifting the ground didn’t help.

The 2B is touted as “mp3 compatible”. I think “compatible” should mean more than a single RCA-in jack. But whatever! This radio is about minimalist organic analog simplicity. There’s no remote, no tone controls, no clock, no presets, no wifi and no bluetooth. If you’re looking for that stuff – look elsewhere.

striking from all angles

If you are not familiar with the allure of vacuum tubes the 2B will seduce you into its vacuum.
Please share your questions, comments, or concerns.

Hi-Fi Soda Rating:
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW [5 out of 5 Wows]

Purchased From: HiDef Lifestyles.com
Material: Aluminum and MDF
Dimensions: 8.75 x 12.75 x 7 inches
Official Website: AREAWARE
Mandatory Tweaks:
•     Matched Pair Genalex EL84 Gold Lion Tubes
•     FM Dipole Antenna with 75 ohm F connector