A hybrid amp featuring two 6N1 tubes and one 12AX7 tube in the input stage and Toshiba-made transistors in the output stage, the SV-500MK attempts to reach the always-elusive goal of offering the virtues of tube and solid-state design in one compact package. If this description chaps your hide because you don’t buy into the tube/clean and harmonic vs transistor/powerful and dynamic trope, I’m right there with you.

… But I must admit, I wish I’d listened to the people who told me that there’s simply no substitute for a good wet-cleaning system. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something like the Record Doctor X ($599.95, all prices USD). But it has to be something.

. . . Dennis Burger