The replica amp is not only fitted with realistic looking knobs, a grille, handle, speaker, switches, power cords and foot switches, but also has similar internal wiring to match. But because all of this was constructed using Lego parts, the amplifier doesn't actually work. That's ok though—since it's not being held together using glue or any other sort of adhesives, if someone were to actually rock out on this amp, it'd fall to pieces. [Fender via CrunchGear]

The lower half of the player is taken by a removable Burr-Brown amplifier, but can be easily removed and replaced with another amp, assuming the new amp fits. It's a pretty barebones PMP otherwise, though—we're talking no video support, not even any internal memory (supply your own with SDHC cards). It does support FLAC and WMA lossless, because really, what's the point otherwise, but this is one PMP aimed squarely at the audiophile market, especially with a price of $700 (or $600 if purchased before its release in June). An included, modular amp is a very cool idea, and certainly a lot of today's PMPs could benefit from the boost it would provide, we just wish it had a little more mass-market appeal. [Head-Fi via Engadget]

For its 60th anniversary yesterday, McIntosh Labs released the new MC75 tube amplifier (modeled after the original 1961 version) and the C22 preamplifier (modeled from the original 1962 version). The distinctly retro look of both devices remain true to the original designs, while many internal circuit enhancements improve reliability of the equipment to meet modern specifications. The backlit glass and brushed anodized aluminum definitely preserves the iconic character of audio equipment from generations past, and now I have reoccurring flashbacks of dad in his bell bottoms fiddling with his old high-end stereo system trying to get Creedence Clearwater Revival to play at full blast.

At a snub to the current generation music lovers, there's nary an iPod dock nor HDMI input in sight. The most modern upgrade the McIntosh dudes added was a remote control for the preamp. And in true snobby audiophile style, only 120 of these sonic treasures will be released in the U.S. [McIntosh]

His barn/garage, filled with vintage sports cars like a 1969 Camaro and modern Aston Martin, is also home to over 6,000W of sound. You see, Whitworth likes to listen to his music for hours on end at volumes of 120dB, or louder than a "loud" rock concert, about 5dB away from pain and right in the range of hearing loss. I said, right in the range of hearing loss!!

So his barn is filled with six JBL Pro concert models (not consumer grade stuff, which would just break on him), two 18-inch subs and two more "half-fridge-size" Velodyne Digital Drive 1812 Signature Edition subwoofers, which each contain hardware for both upper and lower bass response. Of course, there's 6400W of amplification to support all that speaker power, but even still, this rig is technically only a stereo. There's no surround sound processing. [Electronic House via CrunchGear]

Belkin BreakFree Protects Your Amps

¶ Easy-to-Use BreakFree Connectors Complement Your Existing Cables with a Magnetic Breakaway Connector
COMPTON, Calif. —(Business Wire)— Jul. 10, 2008 Belkin International, Inc., announces new BreakFree Connectors, which detach under extreme tension, protecting your amplifier or guitar from unexpected damage. BreakFree will provide noise-free dynamic sound without any degradation in audio quality.

Belkin's BreakFree Connectors are designed to eliminate the popping that occurs when cables are accidentally unplugged from a live amplifier. Additionally, for musicians with multiple guitars, the product makes guitar swapping seamless without the hassle of shutting down or putting your amplifier on standby.

AVAILABILITY

— September 2008 in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia

BreakFree (F8Z294) - US: $19.99

— Supports 1/4" TRS plug

— Strong magnet with quick detachment

— Consistent audio quality

— Reduces cable clutter

BreakFree Tips (F8Z293-2) - US: $9.99

— Use with BreakFree Connector

— Two in a pack

— Supports 1/4" TRS plug

[Belkin]

The father-and-son team of George and Peter Bubenik used an artificial moose ear that had been created by TV special effects team, and mounted a pair of antlers on top of it. A microphone and sound meter were placed in the ear canal, and a speaker set up 30 feet from the ear, which was rotated into different positions.

When a sound was played through the speaker (something by The Rasmus springs to mind) the sound meter recorded 59.5 decibels when the ear was facing the source of the sound, and 57.5 decibels when it was facing backwards. But when it was moved into a sideways position, and where the antlers worked as an amp, the level came out at 61 decibels. [Daily Mail]

To the un-rock'n'roll like me, the object above looks like a TV cabinet, or a disco oven - but, like I said, I've never had much of a fever for cowbell. This is the Stratos from Hovland, an amp that was 20 years in the making. And this is the price: $50,000. More on what it has and what it does (and doesn't) after the jump.

400W of power into 8 ohms, 625W into 4 ohms and 800W into 2 ohms.
Measurements are 356mm x 244mm x 476mm
Weighs in at a hefty 41kg per channel.
Will give you more cowbell (probably), grief from your other half (definitely), but no 11 on the volume. Shame. – Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Hovland via Tech.co.uk]

Classic rock & roll guitar playing is all about the distortion, where you're actually using overmodulation to your advantage. This .5-watt baby can't put out so much volume that it introduces unwanted artifacts in microphones, but still gives plenty of controllable distortion and great sound, so recording guitarists will be quite interested in this little pocket rocket.

Plus, it's probably a kick to hold this mini-firecracker in your hand, turning it up to 11 and feeling the heat as it strains against its screaming cargo. Go ahead, rock & roll ain't noise pollution. – Charlie White

Product Page [Zvex Amps]

There's two headphone jacks on the front for some dual-amplifying action. Honestly, though, if you need an $800 headphone amp powered by vacuum tubes, you may need to reconsider your priorities. – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page [Audio Adviser via The Red Ferret Journal]

Perhaps the terrorism marketing approach now works best when selling a new iPod product. The Pyp Bomb is a unique little amplifier made out of PVC piping and plastic made for either your iPod or guitar. An odd combo, but the Pyp Bomb has bang (pun not intended) for the buck with 18 watts of power. Not too shabby. When something (like an iPod) is plugged into the 3.5mm phono input jack, sound is optimized for clear, crisp audio for music. Plug a guitar into the 1/4" jack though, and you can switch between electric and acoustic channels to rock out Roy Smeck-style. The Pyp Bomb gets days of battery life too via an internal liquid acid battery. It's available now for $150 but don't blame us when the ATF wiretaps your phone for buying it.

PyP-Bomb iPod/guitar amp available [iLounge]