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Reference Home Theater

Reference Home Theater

Home Theater Reviews

Monoprice Tube System Giveaway

By Chris Heinonen on January 21, 2016

For the recent holiday season, Monoprice was kind enough to send over their new hybrid tube amp along with a pair of speakers and speaker cables. The hybrid tube amp features 15 watts of power with 25 watt peaks, an analog input along with a Bluetooth 4.0 input, and a front headphone output. The tube preamp stage gives you that classic tube sound that so many people still love.

Also included are two speakers with a ¾” tweeter and 4 ½” midrange/woofer to pair with the amp and speaker cables to connect it all. We cracked open the tube amp briefly to give it a listen and had no trouble streaming music from our phone to it, or using a Sonos Connect to integrated it into our home. It makes for a great little bedroom or office system with a design that will catch the eye of anyone that sees it.

We are going to give this package away to a reader at the end of February to say thanks for reading us this past year. The rules for the giveaway are pretty simple:

  • You need to follow our twitter account, @Reference_HT
  • You need to leave a comment on this article telling us your Twitter handle and what you’d like to see us cover more of this year
  • You can’t work for us
  • You have to be in the USA

At the end of February we will randomly select one Twitter follower and verify they left a comment, and then contact you directly to find out where to ship it. Our thanks to Monoprice for donating to us the system to give away, and to all of you for reading us this past year. We look forward to providing you more content in 2016 and beyond.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Featured, Giveaway, Monoprice, Speakers, Tube Amp

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shawn says

    January 24, 2016 at 5:33 AM

    I need the sweet sound of tubes for my office.
    Twitter handle is [email protected]

    Reply
  2. Shivam Bhatt says

    January 29, 2016 at 10:05 AM

    oh man, this is cool. would love to see a guide on how best to optimize a set up in a room that isn’t perfectly built for a home theater. @elektrotal

    Reply
  3. jgeeeeer says

    January 29, 2016 at 10:06 AM

    @jgeeeeer:disqus

    More tube reviews!

    Reply
  4. MoreFiles says

    January 29, 2016 at 10:12 AM

    @MoreFiles partial to projector reviews
    https://twitter.com/MoreFiles

    Reply
    • Chris Heinonen says

      January 29, 2016 at 11:06 AM

      We have a pair in progress right now, and more in the future.

      Reply
  5. Driver_King says

    January 29, 2016 at 10:41 AM

    @Driver_King:disqus; I’d like to see more on headphones!

    Reply
    • Chris Heinonen says

      January 29, 2016 at 11:06 AM

      That is something we can do.

      Reply
  6. staticfx says

    January 29, 2016 at 11:09 AM

    @Static_FX I agree with driver_king. More headphones!

    Reply
  7. Franco Barbara says

    January 29, 2016 at 12:39 PM

    @bklynbound i like everything you cover now. keep doing what you are doing! :)

    Reply
  8. jgevgrand says

    January 29, 2016 at 12:52 PM

    Maybe more coverage of network streamers, storage, servers, and devices. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Chris Heinonen says

      January 30, 2016 at 5:27 PM

      Network streamers like Sonos for music, or networked video as well? I use a Synology NAS myself, but it’s not a category we’ve covered as much.

      Reply
      • jgevgrand says

        January 30, 2016 at 5:36 PM

        Exactly, products like the Sonos or in-home NAS media servers or web-based servers like Squeezebox for music, but the best systems for video, as well. That’d be great, Chris. I’d love to know more about Synology, too. Thanks for the reply!

        Reply
        • Chris Heinonen says

          January 30, 2016 at 5:39 PM

          OK. I’ve owned a couple Synology NAS systems now. I had a DS409 and upgraded to a DS415+ after that. I use the Synology to stream all my audio using Minim Server and Plex for video. I used to have a Squeezebox but switched to Sonos last year. Hopefully we can test the new ELAC Roon server appliance soon, as I feel like that will be great in the future.

          Reply
          • jgevgrand says

            January 30, 2016 at 5:41 PM

            Cool, I’ll have to look into Synology. Thanks, Chris! Always great to hear what you’re into.

        • jgevgrand says

          January 30, 2016 at 5:40 PM

          Another topic that would be great to have you explore for us (speaking of the prize you’re offering) is the resurgence of analog audio and even visuals and its interaction with the digital world.

          Reply
          • Chris Heinonen says

            January 30, 2016 at 5:48 PM

            Thanks for the feedback. We want to know what are readers are interested in so we can try our best to cover that going forward. We never know if it’s only something we are interested in, or something more people want to know about.

  9. Matt Archer says

    January 29, 2016 at 1:44 PM

    Oh man, I want bass so powerful the neighbors come over… Good stuff guys!

    Reply
  10. Jake Tobin says

    January 29, 2016 at 9:01 PM

    @jptobin84 more of the affordable reference stuff please.

    Reply
    • Chris Heinonen says

      January 30, 2016 at 5:26 PM

      We have some higher-end things coming, but also a nice bit of affordable reviews (BenQ HT2050, Denon AVR-S710W) as well.

      Reply
  11. CSSully says

    February 1, 2016 at 9:26 AM

    Keep up the great work. More headphones – @CSSully:disqus on Twitter

    Reply
  12. Pete Hahn says

    February 8, 2016 at 4:38 PM

    I love the tube sound Pete Hahn @phahn4

    I would like to see more reviews of class A tubed amps or low cost T class / digital amps.

    Reply
  13. Felix Estrada says

    February 9, 2016 at 8:26 AM

    @elgaot5, keep those projector reviews coming!

    Reply
  14. Ryan Judge says

    February 9, 2016 at 11:40 AM

    Twitter handle @RjjudgeRyan – want to see more everything

    Reply
  15. Rob C says

    February 12, 2016 at 3:33 AM

    Handle : @hehasfallen I’d like to see more music gear, guitars, amps, high gain stuff

    Reply
  16. undfeatable says

    February 15, 2016 at 5:54 PM

    It would be neat to see some alternative location audio suggestions. For instance, I am in the process of assembling an outdoor portable “theater”. I am attempting to keep the quality high though and after much deliberation, decided the Epson 5030UB was my best choice (PS, its perfect). Speakers was another hard choice (Sonos eventually won after I figured out the wireless situation). Other areas people may have interest in keeping quality is like outdoor speakers and such. Here’s hoping! @NathanCardinale

    Reply
  17. masahito29 says

    February 17, 2016 at 5:57 PM

    @masahito29:disqus I’d like to see budget reference builds, from amps, speakers, headphones, and receivers.

    Reply
  18. CCSurfer says

    February 17, 2016 at 6:04 PM

    I’d love to see a killer office setup where a DAC, small tube amp and headphones (closed back for office-friendly listening) that work beautifully together are featured. I’m @ CCSurfer on Twitter.

    Reply
  19. Mark Owens says

    February 17, 2016 at 6:10 PM

    MarkOwens2 Just keep on keeping on. You are doing great.

    Reply
  20. Brian McCullough says

    February 17, 2016 at 6:31 PM

    @bigmrmacdaddy – Review more outdoor projection/entertainment options.

    Reply
  21. jrronimo says

    February 17, 2016 at 6:34 PM

    I’m real interested in moving to a projector, so I’d like to see more projectors, heh.
    Twitter: @jrronimo

    Reply
  22. Radd says

    February 17, 2016 at 6:51 PM

    Raspberry Pi @Raddp

    Reply
  23. dkn says

    February 17, 2016 at 7:01 PM

    Like to see theater gears reviews, especially projectors, receivers, etc (Twitter @thinkNsidedabun )

    Reply
  24. staticfx says

    February 17, 2016 at 7:43 PM

    @Static_FX More projectors would be great!

    Reply
  25. Walking_Corpse says

    February 17, 2016 at 8:03 PM

    @walking_Corpse9 here, would love to see more how-to setup with speaker layouts, mounting hardware etc

    Reply
  26. John Dorado says

    February 17, 2016 at 8:12 PM

    @karstwindow More headphones

    Reply
  27. marius says

    February 17, 2016 at 8:22 PM

    @mariuscontest i have a new house and a baby on the way. need a little joy in my life before all the sleepless nights!

    Reply
  28. Ryan Butters says

    February 17, 2016 at 8:40 PM

    It would be amazing to see more coverage on integrating the classic with the modern both in look and functionality. Keep up the great work @ryanacbutters

    Reply
  29. David Thorne says

    February 17, 2016 at 9:03 PM

    I’d like to see headphone/earbud reviews, home theatre on a tight tight budget, different ways of configuring. @david4238

    Reply
  30. Mary Ballerin says

    February 17, 2016 at 10:55 PM

    I’m @MiloTwoLips on Twitter, I’d also love to see more about integrating classic with modern, and more home theater. Thanks!

    Reply
  31. theintersect2_0 says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:20 AM

    Home theater on a budget… For example a cheap but good system that can be swapped one piece at a time with better gear over time @ryanm_lav

    Reply
  32. AxelCloris says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:57 AM

    I’d like to read some reviews on the newer universal remote offerings. The Harmony review was great, but what about some of the less feature-heavy remotes? Twitter: @AxelCloris

    Reply
  33. John Karlson says

    February 18, 2016 at 7:14 AM

    A tad more about vintage audio on occasion would be great. @jfkarlson

    Reply
  34. Jerry Van Oort says

    February 18, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    Please do more reviews on home theater receivers. @jerryvanoort

    Reply
  35. Wolff M says

    February 18, 2016 at 5:05 PM

    Just found your great site, but maybe cover some wireless options for home theater, e.g., wireless routers, wireless speakers… @wysiwyg321

    Reply
  36. Sal Giunta says

    February 18, 2016 at 8:44 PM

    @sgdzine ribbon/folded motion/electrostatic speakers vs standard drivers

    Reply
  37. Thomas McDonald says

    February 19, 2016 at 4:13 PM

    @mcdontho How about vintage vs new tech comparisons.

    Reply
  38. Tim Clark says

    February 19, 2016 at 8:58 PM

    Some vintage gear coverage would be nice. Thanks @timjclark

    Reply
  39. J Real Vansickle says

    February 21, 2016 at 6:46 AM

    More reviews on DIY speakers & tube amplifiers! @jsusvanchrist on twitter!

    Reply
  40. Constitution Is Law says

    February 22, 2016 at 3:53 PM

    I’m interested in vintage speakers or refurbishing/building. For example what to look out for. If new, then cheap.
    @illidur1

    Reply
  41. Scott Den Boer says

    February 23, 2016 at 5:51 AM

    Would like to see info about room treatments and acoustic controls for difficult spaces. @sdenboer

    Reply
  42. rayovagen says

    February 23, 2016 at 7:58 PM

    5.1 speaker system reviews, thanks. @rayovagen

    Reply
  43. Matt says

    February 24, 2016 at 10:22 AM

    @mjenereaux and I would love to see more reviews like this

    Reply
  44. Andrew Rowland says

    February 25, 2016 at 4:43 AM

    New to this, but would like to see more stuff on integration with flawless music on the go and home theater systems. (DAC’s, amps, etc…)
    @EODNukes

    Reply
  45. ikymagoo says

    February 25, 2016 at 11:53 AM

    Pioneer Elite media players and receivers @ikymagoo

    Reply
  46. Brice Robinson says

    February 25, 2016 at 6:01 PM

    @Ohnonotagian I’m always interested in DIY

    Reply
  47. Elijah Wright says

    July 17, 2016 at 4:06 PM

    Wassup want some more stuff on home theaters keep up the good work love ya guys and gals

    Reply

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Reference Home Theater is Edited and Maintained by Stephen Hornbrook.