Wasn't planning to update this thread, but as I was wandering in V-Mall in Greenhills I came across the higher-end iSteriod (P4.5k) in a shop. So, being a dutiful list member, and since I happened to have my iPod around, I auditioned it.
My general observations:
1) IN general, the unit sounds like a pretty decent computer speaker. Whether the tube made any difference, I could not hear it. I think that the observations of it being mainly a chip amp is correct.
2) The low frequencies seem to be coming from a ported enclosure, which contains the volume and bass controls, as well as the amp and tube. The satellites are full range drivers, with a port that's molded to look like a tweeter assembly.
3) Using an Ipod, I had to max out the bass control to get any thumping bass with the unit.
4) As I said, the sound is like a fairly decent 2.1 computer speaker setup. I listened to an entire shelf of computer speakers in Octagon Superstore in Megamall, and the iSteriod is pretty good when compared to those. Those looking to buy 2.1 computer speakers would do well to buy these.
But are they "tubey"? In a word, nope. Even if it uses the exposed tube like an x-10d, the sound is still predominantly computer-speakerish, for lack of a better way to describe it. I would doubt that changing the tube would improve the sound. But that's just me.
After that, I concluded that I would pay the extra P1.5k for the Klipsch GMX 2.1 system (which I have), since the sound is far superior.
One setup I'm curious about is the Fatman tube amp + ipod dock. That contraption was highly rated by WhatHIFI, and is on display in the Powermac center in Greenbelt 4. Anybody want to audition it?
