Big iFi Audio fan here!  I noticed there wasn't a thread dedicated to the Retro Stereo 50 and with it's eventual release in the States I think it's time to start one.
 
I had the opportunity to hear the Retro system at CanJam '14 and I loved what it did with HiFiMan headphones.  I didn't get to hear the Retro's speakers.  Did anyone here on Head-Fi get to hear the entire system sing?
 
This is a system I think my wife could live with.  I'll let you know when I have the courage to ask her 
 
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2014/10/ifi-micro-soak-entry-level-system-in-vintage-vibe-at-rmaf-14/
 
 

 

Same here on all counts, big fan of the iFi Audio spirit and very interested in the product line(s) they are developing!
Can't wait for the introduction of their iMon(s)
 
Here's an early review of the complete Retro system :
http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-530&lang=en

I was speaking to Jason, from Music Direct, about this iFi Retro 50, and they are totally over the moon about the unit! And for good reason!

Think about it for a second: all of the DSD and PCM power of the iDSD micro, an updated headphone section (from my understanding), a tube stage for both cans and phono, plus the sonority of bamboo cabinets. You could probably plug an old Fischer Price turntable to the thing and make it sound like a million bucks. All for $2000 buck.

Oh, and let's not forget the tone knobs which work for both phono and digital audio, I believe.

I mean, I have no horse in this race, but this certainly has a feel good vibe. I like it!

Heh. The more I think about it, $2000 bucks in 1962 dollars for the same hi-fi, cosidering inflation, that's a $15,536 system! - no DSD in 1962, either.

evolvist said:

I was speaking to Jason, from Music Direct, about this iFi Retro 50, and they are totally over the moon about the unit! And for good reason!

Think about it for a second: all of the DSD and PCM power of the iDSD micro, an updated headphone section (from my understanding), a tube stage for both cans and phono, plus the sonority of bamboo cabinets. You could probably plug an old Fischer Price turntable to the thing and make it sound like a million bucks. All for $2000 buck.

Oh, and let's not forget the tone knobs which work for both phono and digital audio, I believe.

I mean, I have no horse in this race, but this certainly has a feel good vibe. I like it!

Heh. The more I think about it, $2000 bucks in 1962 dollars for the same hi-fi, cosidering inflation, that's a $15,536 system! - no DSD in 1962, either.

Click to expand...

 
To celebrate the launch of the Retro series, we got something VERY nice lined up for you'll in the next day or so...

Look what I found:

http://www.bristolshow.co.uk/uploads/content/6414/14006/Retro_Introduction__V1_0_.pdf

Sweet find. Thanks for sharing!

Hi,
 
You got ahead of us a little but we hope you like what is a coming.
 
 
 
 
For immediate release:

Retro series launch

100% Valve, just add dash of Bluetooth or Vinyl
 
 

Southport, UK - 18^th February 2015
 
 
All-in-one system that stands alone
The remarkable Stereo 50 all-in-one valve amplifier and the bewitching LS3.5 bookshelf speakers is the first system of the Retro series. Its musicality and flexibility are truly peerless: Bluetooth; USB; SPDIF streaming through to vinyl. All will all be enthralled by the Retro.
 
 
Stereo 50: all-in-one valve amplifier with BT, DAC and Phono stage
 

1. 25W+25W pure valve amplifier
2. Burr-Brown True Native chipset: Octa-Speed DSD512/Double-Speed 2xDXD/PCM768 kHz
3. Bluetooth aptX / Intelligent SPDIF® Coaxial/Optical Input,  high gain MC/MM phono stage
4. Ultra-Powerful Headphone amplifier : 8V/7000mW or 2V/250mW for iems
5. 3D Holographic Sound for Headphones® AND Speakers® and XBass systems

 
 
LS3.5 – classic design, latest technologies for 21st century reboot

1. Proprietary iFi 1” silk tweeter and 4” paper cone driver
2. Time-Aligned, Multi-chamber Voigt design
3. 100% Bamboo cabinet for virtually nil colouration

 
The retail price of the Retro full system is US$1,990 (ex-tax) or Euro 2,149 (incl VAT).

ifi audio said:

Retro series launch

100% Valve, just add dash of Bluetooth or Vinyl
 
 

Southport, UK - 18^th February 2015
 

Click to expand...

 
Oh snap! That vid totally gave me the chills.
 
It made me wonder, however, what the average person is willing to spend on audio components, and if a product like this is still aimed at such a niche market like ours: Planet Audiophilia.
 
In the not so distant past - about 1985 or so - my father brought home a brand new Sony "hi-fi" rig, with these big speaker cabinets - you know, one of those stacked units, with separate components: turntable on top, cassette deck, CD player, tuner. You can totally bet this rig cost more than $2000 USD, even in 1985 dollars.
 
So, 20 years later (I hadn't realized it had been 20 years until I wrote this), is there still a large enough market for this kind of purchase? I certainly would hope there is. Surely, even on Planet Audiophilia, enough Retro 50s will be sold to happy customers, who will sing its praises on this planet. And maybe this product isn't aimed at any other market other than the "audiophiles;" still, it would be nice to think that some insightful father out there, in 2015, might bring home one of these and excite his family like mine was.
 
Random, I know...but this got my gears turning a little bit.

My God, my math is as bad as it was in 1985! That would be 30! years ago!

evolvist said:

   
Oh snap! That vid totally gave me the chills.
 
It made me wonder, however, what the average person is willing to spend on audio components, and if a product like this is still aimed at such a niche market like ours: Planet Audiophilia.
 
In the not so distant past - about 1985 or so - my father brought home a brand new Sony "hi-fi" rig, with these big speaker cabinets - you know, one of those stacked units, with separate components: turntable on top, cassette deck, CD player, tuner. You can totally bet this rig cost more than $2000 USD, even in 1985 dollars.
 
So, 20 years later (I hadn't realized it had been 20 years until I wrote this), is there still a large enough market for this kind of purchase? I certainly would hope there is. Surely, even on Planet Audiophilia, enough Retro 50s will be sold to happy customers, who will sing its praises on this planet. And maybe this product isn't aimed at any other market other than the "audiophiles;" still, it would be nice to think that some insightful father out there, in 2015, might bring home one of these and excite his family like mine was.
 
Random, I know...but this got my gears turning a little bit.

Click to expand...

 
Nice story EVOLVIST.  I have a similar story about my father and his stereo rig.  He purchased it while serving overseas in the 70's.  He had everything that was available back then including a reel-to-reel player which I have never seen without the plastic sleeve over it.  I guess it would still be considered brand new.  We had some real fun with his turntable and a 1980's CD player.  
 
I'd tell you to check your numbers again   We are getting old buddy.  That was 30 years ago  

COMPETITION: Retro Launch
To celebrate the launch of the new Retro series – which is comprised of the Stereo 50 (all-in-one valve amplifier) and LS3.5 speaker system (other products to follow), we have got together with Alclair, Music Direct and Native DSD Music to bring you all an absolutely out of this world competition.
 
 

 
and

and
 

 
 
 
 
These are the positively stunning prizes in total worth in excess of US$2,000.
 
 
 
1^st prize*
micro iDAC2 (launch in early April) + micro iTUBE + micro iCAN + iRACK with 5 free Native DSD Music album downloads (worth over US$1000)
 
* This iDAC 2 will be the very first one in the world and will be signed by the iFi Skunkworks team
 
 
2^nd prize*
micro iDSD with Alclair Curves iems with 4 free Native DSD Music album downloads (worth over US$700)
 
 
3^rd prize*
micro iTUBE with micro iCAN with 3 free Native DSD Music album downloads (worth over US$550)
 
* denotes that each unit will be personally signed by the iFi Skunkworks team and 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes also receive entry into the iCLUB

)
 
 
4^th prize
Music Direct $200 voucher AND 2 free Native DSD Music album downloads
 
 
5^th prize to 10^th prize
Music Direct $30 voucher per winner AND Jazz or Classical compilation Native DSD Music album download
 
 
What is the competition?
Simply examine the 4 printed circuit boards that make up the Stereo 50 all-in-one and select one of the multiple choice answers as to what you think is the TOTAL number of components.
 
Examine closely BOTH sides of the 4 x printed circuit boards that are:
 

1. the main board
2. the digital board
3. the front control panel
4. And the speaker connection board

 
 
 
The correct answer is ONE of the following:
 
Answer A.              Total of 311 components
 
Answer B.              Total of 584 components
 
Answer C.              Total of 631 components
 
Answer D.              Total of 781 components
 
Answer E.              Total of 999 components
 
 
So if you think all 4 PCBs in total have 999 components,
just enter a reply to this thread and type out your answer!
 
How to enter:
Post here on Head-Fi in this thread for example:
 
Moniker/Name:    music lover
 
Answer E.           There are 999 components
 
 
 
 
We will collate this information at the end of every day. Only ONE entry is allowed per person.
 
The close of the competition is 28^th February.
 
From the correct entries, the iCLUB concierge team will pull the names out of a hat. The first name out is the 1^st prize winner and so on.
 
The winners will be announced ~2^nd March in this thread and also in the iFi Facebook and Twitter and at www.ifi-audio.com
 
Last but not least…..we wish you all the very best of luck.
 
This competition is also open on Facebook so people can alternatively, email their entries to:
press@ifi-audio.com
 
 
 
Rules (for the full T&C*)
This is not open to any friends or families of AMR/iFi, Alclair, Music Direct or Native DSD Music.
If you are a (full or part-time) reviewer, please disclose so that it is open for all to see (in case you are one of the lucky winners). This is just for full disclosure.
In the event of any dispute, the final decision will rest with AMR/iFi.
 
Any questions? *Email press@ifi-audio.com

Here are the close-up pictures
 

1. the main board

 
 
 

1. the digital board.

 

 
 
 

1. the front control panel

 
 
 

1. And the speaker connection board

Oh, Wow!
 
Moniker:    TF1216
 
Answer.     There are 584 components

Moniker: technobear

Answer: 781

Moniker/Name: EVOLVIST
 
Answer D.              Total of 781 components
 
Woohoo! 3rd Post! My eyes hurt now.