Anyone familiar with Pangea Audio Distributing knows that Vincent Audio is an important part of our product mix. From industry-leading hybrid electronics to reference analog and digital models, Vincent Audio is considered a benchmark for audiophile products that offer maximum value for the investment.

At the foundation of Vincent Audio's product design history is Frank Blöhbaum, an engineer who studied electronics and semiconductor physics, and ultimately practiced in the field for more than 35 years, focusing on industrial sensor systems like 3D cameras, and LiDAR for self-driving cars and robots. 

Frank used his professional experiences like circuit simulation and development of integrated semiconductors to the benefit of his work in and passion for audio. For example, he created his own tube simulation models in the early 90s, years before the industry caught up with the practice.

"I built my career on continually designing the technology of tomorrow," says Mr. Blöhbaum. "If an idea is promising, I conduct theoretical investigations and work toward a clear goal."

Mr. Blöhbaum's focus on audio was borne not out of designing for the future, but simply feeding a passion that was part of his life since his teens.

"I built a tube-based radio when I was 14, with parts I gathered from multiple sources," he says. "I went to libraries, studied as much information as I could find, and created something on my own."

It's no surprise that Mr. Blöhbaum was and is enamored with music. Living in East Germany, he grew up in a household filled with classical music that his father treasured, leading to his own fascination with the electric guitar and ultimately radio.

"But it wasn't just classical," says Blöhbaum. "In 1968, my parents paid a fortune to hear Louis Armstrong perform. It was a special event to have this American icon play live in Leipzig, behind the iron curtain. My mother was moved to tears because of the amount my father paid for the tickets, but she said it was worth it. They had never heard anything like it before."

Growing up in East Germany had its challenges, but the socialist economy of scarcity   is a stimulation too: Guitar amplifiers were rare and therefore Mr. Blöhbaum built his own tube based guitar amplifier and sold it at the age of 16.

IIn the summer of 1989, before the collapse of the iron curtain, Mr. Blöhbaum escaped from East Germany via Hungary to the West, eventually landing in Munich. There, he soon became involved and ultimately leader of an experiment conducted during the first West German space mission to the Russian MIR station. Later, as the Head of New Technology Group of an international sensor company, he and his team developed a world class full HD 3D camera board that was used for making blockbuster movies including, “The Hobbit.“ 

The 90s would also see the debut of the Vincent Audio brand. Registered in 1995 by Sintron Distribution GmbH in Iffezheim, Germany. From its beginnings, Vincent Audio has focused on two distinct product concepts: pure solid state circuitry, based on pure transistor technology, and hybrid technology, famous for imbuing electronics with tubes to give the sound the “warm” characteristics of tube technology, and solid state power in the output stage for clear, detailed out with a wide soundstage that is both airy and dynamic.

In 2004, Mr. Blöhbaum created, for the Thorens brand, his first working prototype of a revolutionary power amplifier -- the Thorens TEM 3200. This amplifier made its debut 2005 at the High-End Fair in Munich, earning a Best of Show award for Frank and his team. A few months later, the leading German audio magazine, Stereoplay, tested the TEM-3200 and rated it Best Power Amplifier in the World.

Around that time, Sintrontwas the distribution partner of Thorens. Frank met Uwe Bartel, the founder and CEO of Sintron and  the founder of the Vincent brand. It was the beginning of a real and lasting friendship.  

In 2006, Mr. Blöhbaum entered into an agreement with Sintron to develop audio technology for the Vincent brand. That in turn lead to new product innovations, especially the company’s signature selection of hybrid amps and preamps.

Following the brand’s initial growth in Europe, it was introduced to North America in 2008 when Pangea Audio Distributing was named regional distributor. Since then, Vincent Audio is now in a select number of retailers in North America, and is a brisk seller on Audio Advisor and other respected audio e-sellers.

One of Frank`s first creations was the SV237, which is now available in an updated version, SV237MKII, which is a very popular product. More amplifiers followed, including SV737, SA-T7, SP-T700, and KHV-200. All of these amplifiers feature unique and proprietary circuit technology, which cannot be found in products marketinged by competing manufacturers.

“Our goal at Sintron and and Vincent is to always use the finest audio technology available,,“ says Mr. Blöhbaum. “But we don´t follow the super-expensive way so many other brands do. We produce products for the music lover, fulfilling the highest quality standards but at an affordable price.“

In recent months, Mr. Blöhbaum oversaw the design and market rollout of the SA-T7 Diamond, a tube preamplifier featuring original German Telefunken PCF803 tubes manufactured decades ago.

“We quite literally discovered a stockpile of PCF803 tubes in a warehouse,” says Mr. Blöhbaum. “For me, it was like finding a pot of gold. I quickly got to work on a special edition of the SA-T7 that will showcase the sonic benefits of these tubes in a sleek, aesthetically appealing amplifier that blends with any system in any room.

“I love tubes. The way they reproduce music is truly something special. When combined with the detail of solid state circuitry, it adds up to a level of performance that is hard to match by tubes or solid state design alone, the CEO of Sintron and it`s management team have given me always full trust for my new developments and experiments with radical new circuit structures.“