Gorgeous amplifiers, made in Utah

ElectronLuv amplifiers are vacuum tube designs.

(Credit: ElectronLuv)

For over 10 years ElectronLuv has been producing custom amplifiers and high-end components.

I think they're awesome-looking things, and I love that they're built to order. In a way ElectronLuv's design ethos reminds me of the "American Chopper" TV series where they custom build high-end motorcycles to order. But in this case it's stereo pre- and power amplifiers, guitar amplifiers, turntables, and horn speakers designed to meet ElectronLuv's customers' desires.

ElectronLuv also makes custom guitar amplifiers.

(Credit: ElectronLuv)

Some might call it steampunk or retro chic, but I think ElectronLuv products are unique and represent the best of American high-end audio.

ElectronLuv's Josh Stippich needs three to six months to design and build each of his one-of-a-kind products. In the early design stages Stippich sends his customers drawings to get feedback so he can give them exactly what they want.

Considering the amount of artisan labor and EletronLuv's superlative build quality, the electronics pricing seems very reasonable: Hi-fi preamplifiers and power amplifiers run $4,500 to $23,000; and guitar amps from $4,500 to $10,000. The custom horn speaker systems are much more expensive, they're $40,000 to $250,000!

Here's an ElectronLuv preamplifier.

(Credit: ElectronLuv)

They just keep getting better and better.

(Credit: ElectronLuv)

[soundman45]

One Question. Is that an amplifier or a cappuccino maker ?

[Rod Roddy]

Mmmm, Cappuccino.

[madonna915]

your comment made me want to drink coffee yumm...

[d06svt]

I agree, soundman. I'm sure the build quality is superb... but all of the pieces pictured look like 1930s appliances.

[Paul_Christie]

It's supposed to look like 1930s appliances or else it wouldn't be steampunk amps.

[giant-bubbles]

@d06svt Yes, I agree. They do look like 30's appliances. Kinda cool.

@Paul_Christie They aren't steampunk amps. They don't look like steampunk at all. The steampunk "aesthetic" has nothing to do with the art deco style the maker of these amps used. The title of this article is misleading. Also, "steampunk" electronics are an oxymoron. The steampunk aesthetic is one of Victorian era style mixed with the "what if" alternate reality of what things would be like WITHOUT electricity. No electricity, no amp. BTW, I loathe steampunk.

[TXinD76121]

Sorta depends what you're after. I just *listen* to my stereo. (Well, okay, I do like the glow of the EL34s.) With these, if you removed all the circuitry and the tubes, they'd still cost 9/10ths of what they do. I don't care to think about paying for all that "styleyness"...even in daydream-fantasy mode.

To each his own, though. I do enjoy pictures of weird turntables.

Blue Mikey

[TXinD76121]

This is off-topic, but I'd love to see an article about speakers that work well with 30-watt push-pull tube amplifiers.

Blue Mikey

[Yelonde]

Woot, utah pride. Strangely enough though, despite living in utah, I have never seen this product in my life.

[alegr]

I'm 100% sure the amps would sound the same if the tubies were just for a decoration. Just insert some RC leg to lower high frequencies.

[kmouradian]

Johnny 5 is alive!

[make_or_break]

To paraphrase a certain auto insurance TV ad campaign:

"Look at all the *sound* you could be getting by switching to ElectroLuv" (with Rockwell playing in the background...)

Big Sound is watching you.

And all that chrome! How many '59 Caddies had to die to make these things? The guitar amp probably could fill in as a space heater in a pinch.