At this year’s AXPONA 2026, California-based boutique manufacturer Ampsandsound delivers an impressive triple debut, introducing the Kenzie Reimagined headphone amplifier, the Badlands preamplifier, and the Stereo 17 power amplifier.
Known for its uncompromising dedication to hand-built tube gear, Ampsandsound continues to refine its philosophy of combining classic vacuum tube topology with modern engineering precision. This latest lineup reflects a clear ambition to serve both headphone enthusiasts and traditional two-channel audiophiles with equipment that prioritizes musicality, craftsmanship, and tonal authenticity.
Kenzie Reimagined – A Modern Evolution of a Cult Favorite
The Kenzie Reimagined builds upon one of the brand’s most celebrated designs, taking a familiar sonic signature and elevating it with meaningful technical improvements.
At the heart of the amplifier is a carefully selected tube configuration using 5751 / 12AX7 input tubes paired with 1626 / VT-137 output tubes. This combination is known for delivering a rich, harmonically dense presentation, but here it is refined with a significantly improved noise floor of just 30 µV, making it particularly well-suited for high-sensitivity headphones.
Performance figures further underline the upgrade. With total harmonic distortion below 0.7% at 750 mW, the Kenzie Reimagined maintains the warmth and fluidity associated with tube amplification, while offering improved clarity and control. The 18 dB gain, achieved through the 12AX7 stage, provides sufficient drive for a wide range of headphones, and the 7 Hz to 35 kHz frequency response ensures both deep low-end extension and open, airy highs.
The result is an amplifier that stays true to the emotional, intimate sound of the original Kenzie, while introducing greater refinement, lower noise, and enhanced dynamic capability.
Badlands Preamplifier – Flexibility and Sonic Precision
The Badlands Preamplifier represents Ampsandsound’s approach to system control and signal purity, combining classic tube character with a highly flexible design.
Built around 12AX7 and 12BH7 tubes, the Badlands is engineered to deliver a balanced mix of gain and tonal richness. A key feature is its support for multiple rectifier tubes, including 5Y3, 5V4, 5U4, and 5AR4, allowing users to tailor the power supply behavior and subtly influence the overall sound signature.
With 16 dB of gain and a remarkably low THD of no more than 0.007%, the Badlands aims to preserve signal integrity while still providing the organic flow and texture that define high-end tube systems.
Ampsandsound also offers the preamplifier in both point-to-point wired and PCB-mounted versions, appealing to traditionalists who value hand-wiring craftsmanship as well as those seeking consistency and scalability.
Stereo 17 – Classic Tube Power in a Compact Form
Completing the lineup is the Stereo 17 power amplifier, a compact yet expressive design delivering 2 x 17 watts in ultra-linear mode.
The amplifier is built around a push-pull configuration using EL84 output tubes, a topology long appreciated for its lively, engaging midrange and musical coherence. A 12AX7 input stage handles voltage amplification, while a 12AU7 phase splitter ensures proper signal balance and stability across channels.
While its output power may appear modest on paper, the Stereo 17 is designed to work in synergy with efficient loudspeakers, where its tonal finesse, speed, and harmonic richness can fully shine. This type of amplifier is less about brute force and more about delivering a nuanced, emotionally engaging listening experience.
A Cohesive Vision of Modern Tube Audio
With the introduction of these three components, Ampsandsound reinforces its position as a specialist in high-end tube amplification. Each product serves a distinct role, yet together they form a cohesive ecosystem built around musicality, flexibility, and craftsmanship.
Whether driving headphones with precision, shaping the signal at the preamp stage, or powering a loudspeaker system with classic tube authority, this new lineup demonstrates that traditional tube design still has plenty of room to evolve in today’s hi-fi landscape.
Ampsandsound’s triple premiere at AXPONA 2026 is not just a product launch, it is a statement of intent, reaffirming the enduring appeal of tube audio when executed with care, expertise, and a clear passion for sound.
