My Story — How VTubeAudio Began
I spent years searching for a sound I fell in love with as a child, never imagining that a handful of little glass tubes would lead me to it.
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family sang to me when I was little, and I fell in love with the human voice. I learned to play piano by ear, took up guitar, played clarinet in my high school band, and eventually began writing and making music myself.
Some of my happiest childhood memories are of sitting perfectly centered between my father's stereo speakers, turning up the volume, and losing myself in the music. I played Elvis Presley eight-tracks endlessly and listened to “I Shot the Sheriff” on my first record player until I knew every word.
My father repaired televisions and stereos, so I grew up around vacuum tubes and vintage electronics, although I didn't yet understand the fascinating world inside those little glass envelopes.
As a teenager, music became an adventure. A neighbor lent me albums by Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Queen, the Eagles, Black Sabbath, Rush, and countless others. I discovered the extraordinary intimacy of stereo sound through a Sony Walkman, and I'll never forget hearing my best friend's father's Technics hi-fi system with its reel-to-reel tape deck. I was smitten.
When CDs arrived, I couldn't wait to own a player. I spent my money, brought one home, and was excited to show it off. But to my ears, something was missing. The experience wasn't as enjoyable as the music I remembered from childhood.
That feeling sent me on a quest. I began purchasing increasingly expensive high-fidelity audio equipment, hoping to recapture the experience of sitting between those speakers as a little boy. Yet no matter how much I spent, I couldn't quite find what I was looking for.
Then came the turning point.
I sent my ModWright Transporter to Dan Wright to have its analog output stage modified for vacuum tubes. The modification allowed me to experiment with different approved tube combinations, and I became fascinated by how they changed my listening experience.
When I discovered vintage Russian Reflektor 6H30 tubes paired with a GZ34 rectifier, I was captivated. To my ears, the music came alive in a way I hadn't experienced with my previous equipment.
I was hooked.
I purchased an Audio Research tube CD player and continued exploring different tubes, learning about their electrical characteristics, construction, manufacturers, and the ways they performed in compatible equipment.
My search eventually led me to acquire an enormous collection of vacuum tubes. Suddenly, I was surrounded by fascinating examples manufactured for far more than audio: radio, television, communications, industrial equipment, and countless other applications.
I began researching their history, identifying manufacturers and production periods, examining their construction, and testing their electrical performance. What started as a personal search for a more enjoyable listening experience had grown into a passion for discovering, understanding, and sharing vintage vacuum tubes.
And that's how VTubeAudio came to life.
Today, I enjoy helping audiophiles, musicians, restorers, and collectors discover vintage tubes that suit their equipment, interests, and listening preferences. Whether it's an unusual early-production tube, a carefully tested vintage pair, or a simple replacement that brings a favorite amplifier back to life, every tube has its own story—and finding the right one can be a pleasure in itself.
VTubeAudio began with a little boy lost in the music between two stereo speakers, and today, nothing makes me happier than helping someone else discover that same joy.