Introducing the nOrh SE 9 Integrated Tube Amp

One of the arguments that has raged in the audiophile community is whether or not tubes sound better. There are many people who claim that no solid state amplifier can match a single ended tube amplifier for purity and clarity. I believe that I have heard very good and bad examples of both tube and solid state amplifiers. My general feeling is that there is an abundance of really bad sounding solid state amplifiers. One of nOrh's biggest achievements was to introduce great sounding solid state amplifiers for less money than the competition. Our first amplifier, the Multiamp has become a classic with many people still writing us if they can purchase one.

Le Amp remains a monster hit because it is probably the lowest cost high-end amplifier in the world. Le Amp has the great qualities of smoothness and clarity associated with tube amps yet has the speed and power one associates with solid state amps.

While Le Amp is only $295.95 each, a pair of Le Amps and a preamplifier still doesn't address the market of people needing something to put in their bedroom or office.

Even audiophiles will sometimes buy mini components for an extra room because they don't have the space or budget to put a high-end system in each room. nOrh believes we have a better alternative. Instead of buying a cheap mini component system, boom box or multi-media system, why not buy a single ended integrated amplifier instead.

Crazy right? Don't Single Ended (SE) tube amplifiers cost thousands of dollars each? The answer is generally yes until recently. Recently, a wave of cheap tube amplifiers have come in from China. Most of these have no name tubes, low cost components, and plastic sockets. However, nOrh now introduces a true high-end product worthy of the nOrh brand. As our nOrh customer's know, for nOrh, being good value isn't enough. We are not satisfied until we have set the world's standard of value for every product we sold. All nOrh products shall be the best products that can be purchased for their price — period. Our first concern is building a product that establishes itself as world class in its price range. Our second concern is embarrassing audio companies that would charge a high premium for the same or less quality. We strongly encourage you to do some web shopping. Compare our quality and compare our prices. Once again, we have introduced a product that will leave other audio companies making excuses.

Introducing the nOrh SE 9

The SE 9 has two inputs. The volume control is manufactured by Alps. The switches are platinum counted. The sockets are ceramic. We use Electro Harmonix tubes instead of no-name Chinese tubes found in many lower priced tube amplifiers. According to the technical journal, Vacuum Tube Valley, the "...new EL34EH comes very close to the sonics of a Mullard EL34..." They go on to say, "The Electro-Harmonix tube is balanced throughout the entire music spectrum. Bass goes deep and is tight, mids are sweet and well defined and highs are detailed and extended." We selected the Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH for our drive tubes. The website www.thetubestore.com, reviewed the Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH as follows:

"These are not relabeled Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes. There is a marked difference in construction and performance. The 12AX7EH has a nice balanced sound, a very low noise floor and excellent performance in terms of microphonics. The lack of microphonics may be due in part to the return of a shorter plate structure or better materials. I've had some samples that were tried in various amp stages. Pre-amps, tone stacks and phase inverters, a winner in every location, although I would continue to use a 12AT7 for reverb circuit drivers due to their lower gain rating. I have used the EH to successfully tame amps that defied all other attempts to kill microphonics and unwanted feedback. This tube is a winner, buy 'em and try 'em, they may be just the piece you've been looking for."

If you look at other Single Ended (SE) amplifiers, you will notice that the SE 9 appears to have an extra tube. That is because many tube amplifiers will use a 10 cent diode instead of a $12.95 rectifier tube. We use the 5AR4 rectifier tube.

The SE 9 is already in demand. Many nOrh products have sold out very quickly. Sometimes the deals are simply too good to offer forever. Our CD 1 went out of production while demand was very high. We discontinued the nOrh 6.5 and spent three months clearing backorders. We strongly urge you to order the SE 9 before we come to our senses and price the SE 9 where it at a more profitable price. This is a much better amplifier than anyone has a right to expect at this price. It sounds wonderful. It looks beautiful. It will last for years and years.

I have often been told that one way to judge an amplifier is to throw it. The farther it goes, the worse it is. The SE 9 is 14 kilograms. It is probably the heaviest amplifier in its price range.

One of the reasons I like tube amplifiers is I think they look great. We have designed the nOrh SE 9 to look absolutely fantastic. The front plate is black while the top is a mirror finish. The mirror finish will reflect the subdued lights from the tubes. I believe tube amplifiers are the most romantic electronic products you can buy. I think of them as apartment fireplaces. The nOrh SE 9 consumes only 35 watts of power. This is comparable to the power consumption of a low-end receiver or integrated amplifier.

One of my hopes is that parents will send their kids off the college with a pair of 3.0s or 4.0s and a SE 9. The idea of someone growing up with my speakers and amplifiers really excites me. Most importantly, this is not a throw away product. The nOrh SE 9 will last for years. This is not a system you will outgrow. It will always have a home in a bedroom, office or driving a computer multimedia system. I also believe that many women will enjoy this amplifier. Most women aren't interested in how loud their stereo plays. They do want something that is small, beautiful and durable.

We believe that the SE 9.0 matches nOrh lower priced offerings. We suggest the nOrh 3.0, nOrh 4.0, nOrh 5.1, nOrh 5.2 or nOrh 6.1. What is amazing is that paired with any of these loudspeakers, the total system price will be less than $1000.00.

The nOrh SE 9.0 is being introduced at $450.00. This price includes shipping. You can have a pair of nOrh 3.0s and a SE 9.0 delivered to your door for less than $550.00 USD.

High-end audio has never been more affordable. Pictured nOrh 3.0 plus nOrh SE 9

Sometimes I feel like Rodney Dangerfield, I just can't get no respect. I am certainly not the first person to try to produce reasonably priced audio equipment. Others have tried and they also had a hard time getting respect. Bob Carver, David Hafler, Richard Shahinian and others have tried to build companies that offered excellent value. The audio industry (which I call the country club), has spent years trying to convince people that they have to spend outrageous sums of money to buy high-end sound. For four years, I have been working to try to make high-end audio more affordable and audio systems look and sound great. Our customers call themselves nOrhphiles and have organized themselves into a user community that is only rivaled by Apple computer users. Their devotion to our effort has helped make nOrh one of the most read audio sites on the Internet. If you don't believe it, do a search for loudspeakers on Yahoo and see what comes up. I don't like putting my picture on the webpage. It reminds me how much hair I have lost over the years. However, for the SE 9, I want everyone to know that I am quite proud of this product and I know you will treasure the SE 9 for many years. I am excited for those of you who will buy the SE 9. You will receive one of the best values that has been offered in audio for many years. You will receive a product you will cherish for many years to come. You will receive a product that will sound better than you believe possible.

In 2001, we launched the CD 1. The CD 1 was a high quality CD player with tube output. People said it was one of the best sounding CD players they ever heard. Demand was so high, we sold out. We were unable to keep up with demand and the parts we need went out of production.

The SE 9 is available now. If you want to read about the performance, the first users will start posting on HarmonicDiscord by next week. Don't wait too long once you decide that you or someone you know could use the SE 9. Our first production was sold out but we are going back and making more next week. Christmas might be months away but I won't be surprised if the SE 9 becomes very back ordered soon.

The debate regarding the sound of tubes vs. the sound of solid state raging in audio for many years. For nOrh, it isn't a matter of which is better. It is a matter of what is most appropriate for a given application. I use tubes in my office. I don't play the sound loud. I find that I can listen for eight to ten hours and not feel fatigued. I know that if I used the typical inexpensive receiver or inexpensive integrated, I would be fatigued after a very short period.

I bought my daughter a Zen tube amplifier. I got it for her because it was very low powered. She uses it to drive a pair of 4.0s. She leaves the amp on almost all the time. She thinks the look is cool. I think that 2 watts is enough power for her given the music she listens to.

Le Amp and the "soon-to-be" introduced products from IRD represent the ultimate value in solid state components. I believe for many people, these products off a powerful alternative for people who believed they could never enjoy solid state.

Obviously, nOrh believes that no loudspeakers are more appropriate for the new SE 9 than genuine nOrh loudspeakers. For those individuals with discerning tastes but small budgets, we suggest our nOrh marble 3.0. The marble 3.0s are highly praised by their owners for their beauty and sound.

Simply beautiful and elegant, the nOrh 3.0 marble with SE 9

Prev < Quick Specs | Top | Next > Pricing