A Brief History of Lab Lampatos

It all began in 1971, when I was just fourteen. A friend introduced me to electronics through a DIY AM radio transmitter, sparking a passion that would shape my life. At that time, the world of electronics was dominated by tubes, silicon diodes, transistors, and electromagnetics. While I eagerly devoured books and manuals, my real breakthrough came when I got my hands on a circuit diagram for an MW AM radio transmitter. With that, I became a part-time "radio pirate"—all in the name of research, of course—building and operating my own equipment.

Requests from friends who played the guitar to build custom amplifiers provided invaluable experience and deepened my knowledge, laying the foundation for what was to come.

My journey continued in England, where I pursued studies in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, eventually earning a PhD. During my MSc in Power Electronics and Systems, I transitioned from basic components to working with ICs, microprocessors, and transistors. Power transistors became a staple of my work, and my supervisor, Mr. Bowler, often said, "Digital design is a game, but analog design is artistry with magic." This philosophy has guided me throughout my career.

Even as I immersed myself in digital design, working on microcomputers, hardware/software development, and large-scale telecommunications projects, my passion for audio design never faded. In my spare time, I continued to explore and create analog amplifiers, always chasing my dream of producing Quad-quality audio.

In an increasingly digital world, my escape came from designing tube amplifiers. I began working with classic tubes such as the EL34, 6550, and KT88, with a particular fondness for the EL34. My early point-to-point chassis designs were purely for personal enjoyment, but their success fueled my ambition to take things further.

Eventually, this led to the development of a production model—a highly reliable Class A Single Ended (SE) Ultra Linear (UL) stereo power amplifier, complete with Negative Feedback (NFB). This amplifier represents the culmination of decades of passion, experience, and experimentation, and I’m excited to share it with fellow audio enthusiasts.

Where we are today

We have established a dedicated lab for the limited production of our amplifiers, where each product is meticulously handmade using materials sourced from top-tier manufacturers. Our first release is the Model A-SE, a high-performance Class A amplifier. Looking ahead, our upcoming products include a valve Push-Pull amplifier and a versatile, high-quality hybrid preamplifier.

Our mission is simple: to craft amplifiers that deliver superior sound quality and are built to last a lifetime.