"For
this aural pilgrim, the Mesa Baron is the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth."
Chip Stern, Stereophile
"The
Baron is a fantastic amplifier at a very reasonable price."
Bruce Manoly, Positive Feedback
"One
of the best sound-for-the-dollar components in high-end audio
today." Mark Block, The Audiophile Voice
"Seductively
sweet-sounding." John Atkinson, Stereophile
"It's
as close to what I'd imagine an all-valve Krell would sound
like if Dan D'Agostino ever got a jones for tubes."
Ken Kessler, HiFi News and Record Review
"Knocking,
no pounding, on state-of-the-art's door... one of the
best values in Audio." Tom Miiller, The Audio Adventure
"The
Baron fills my sonic wish list as beautifully as I could have
hoped for: Transparency, high resolution, tonal neutrality,
liquid midrange, soundstage depth, extended but sweet highs,
powerful yet controlled bass." Mark Block, Audiophile
Voice
"It's
only serious competition comes from amps costing two or three
times as much." Dick Olsher, FI
"The
Baron entered this household under the least favorable of
circumstances: it followed the $ 30,000.- Audio Research Reference
600 power amplifier... That's a tough act to follow, but -
even with its more earthly price, the Baron damn near stole
the show!" Tom Miiller, The Audio Adventure
Look
for new reviews on the Baron in: Wired Magazine, The Inner
Ear Report, Soundstage!
To
request the complete reprints of the reviews from which these
excerpts were taken, please contact us by phone or
fax.
Mesa
Engineering Vacuum Tube Audio
1317 Ross StreetPetaluma, CA 94954 USA
Phone 707-778-9505 Fax 707-765-1503
Mesa
Baron Specs
- True
dual mono, fixed bias, vacuum tube push-pull Class A/B
stereo power amplifier
- Patent-Pending
Tandem State Imaging circuitry: four stages of
adjustable Negative Feedback [ 0, 2, 4, 8dB ] interface
with four selectable power tube configurations [ all pentode,
all triode, 2/3 pentode + 1/3 triode, 2/3 triode + 1/3
pentode] to offer 16 sonic tuning options; affects soundstage
depth and width, dynamics, frequency extension, timbral
balance, speaker/amp interface - all variables can be
adjusted during playback with a simple flip of a switch
or the turn of knob.
- 60K
or 110K input impedance [ user selectable ]
- 12
x 5881s output tubes, 4 x 12AX7As input/predriver tubes
- 55W/Ch
all Triode
- 85
W/Ch 2/3 Triode + 1/3 Pentode
- 120
W/Ch 2/3 Pentode + 1/3 Triode
- 150
W/Ch full Pentode
- Separate
on/off, standby and meter light switches for each channel.
- Dual
powercords; separate power- and output transformers for
each channel.
- Proprietary
ceramic tube sockets with silver contacts.
- Rubber
iso-mounted transformers for quiet operation.
- Double-sided
printed circuit boards with three-ounce high- purit copper
traces and glass-epoxy base with plated-thru contacts.
- Audiophile-grade
metal film capacitors.
- Flying
leads point-to-point soldering to switches, connectors
and transformers; no "quick-connects" or push-on
terminals.
- VU
meters can be set for 150W or 15W peak to show greater
deflection of needle.
- Meters
are used to conveniently adjust bias and balance.
- Weight:
65 lbs / 85 lbs in box.
- Dimensions:
19" wide x 14.5" deep x 8.75" high (inches).
- Warrenty:
3 years parts & labor, 6 months on tubes.
- 50%
discount on replacement tubes to original owner.
Tandem
State Imaging
Our
patent-pending Tandem State Imaging is a unique feature
that allows the listener to "dial in" or "tune"
the amplifier to match listening preferences and system requirements.
The sixteen available combinations are mechanical adjustments
which may be engaged during playback, making the effects immediate
and easily observable. The output power tubes of the Baron,
5881s [an idustrial, ruggedized version of the 6L6], can be
wired for pentode or triode operation. The Baron's
unique circuitry wires them for both operations such
that individual pairs of output tubes may be assigned a different
mode, simultaneously. This is a new concept in tube
amplification and makes it possible to combine the
distinct sonic chracteristics of either mode of operation,
in user-adjustable increments.
Front
to 10th row perspective, thundering dynamics to subtle micro
detail, full frequency extension to midrange emphasis, subtle
tonal shadings... these parameters, and more, can be addressed
by Tandem State Imaging. None of it requires any prior
exposure to High-End audio or tube equipment, merely an enthusiasm
for great sound and music and a willingness to experiment
with different settings to explore their particular value
in a given application.
The
Mesa/Boogie professional heritage insures industrial-strength
build quality and reliability, and our 25 years of experience
with vacuum tubes, expressed in more than 12 patents for tube
design, guarantees fully matured technology equally at home
in a stadium, concert hall or private living room.
The
current resurgence of interest in tube designs in the consumer
markets proves what professional musicians have known all
along: vacuum tubes sound different - and most people feel,
better!
To
arrange for an audition, contact us for the name of your closest
dealer.
Mesa
Engineering Vacuum Tube Audio
1317 Ross Street
Petaluma, CA 94954 USA
Phone 707-778-9505 Fax 707-765-1503
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