The Story:

I purchased these with the intent of bringing them in for review and then using them in my second or third system. I’ve owned and used them for almost a year now, so it’s time to summarize my time with them before moving them along to fund a new project.

November 2011

Getting them home I pulled the 6SN7 and 6SL7 tubes and tested them on the B&K 700, and both tested well below functional specs. So the first order of business was to replace those. I went to Early Bender at HiFi Town for replacements, as Early is a very knowledgeable guy when it comes to anything to do with tubes and vintage gear, so a big shout out to Early, whose Website can be found here. He fixed me up with some nice vintage tubes that test well and should hopefully last a long time.

There’s a useful video I found on YouTube, that walks you through the process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sO3kXFpZWg

Since Vlad at Audio Mirror has designed these amps with belt and braces safety, to protect the amps from being damaged by out-of-spec tubes, It’s possible to just insert the tubes and basically test them safely in the amps.

There’s a break-in procedure for new tubes, and it involves flicking a switch on each monoblock, which disables the outputs, and then running the tubes for 48 hours. It’s simple enough to do, but I missed this requirement when I brought the amps home, and consequently, I had a couple of power tubes go bad on me.

Rather than draw from my stash of ‘unknown status’ tubes, I went ahead and purchased 4 NOS tubes on eBay, from a seller in the Ukraine. They arrived promptly in about 10 days, and, after employing the correct break-in procedure, have worked fine for the past 10 months or so.

The 6C33C Tubes Run Hot!

So hot in fact that I decided to purchase a quad of Pearl tube coolers from Parts Connexion in Canada. They’re a pain to fit over the tube as they grip the tube glass tightly, but they appear to perform well.

Here’s some pics and also a video that I threw together for YouTube to show the amps in operation for any potential buyer:

Listening

In the past year or so I’ve used the amps with a few different speakers, including the Emerald Physics CS2P open baffles, the Merlin TSM BME discussed here, and a pair of Audio Physics Yara Evolution bookshelf.

These are fairly modest speakers, but each very revealing of how they’re being driven. I hope to have on hand a pair of Voxativ speakers in the coming weeks, and if that materializes I may update this review.

Here’s a few pics of the amps with associated equipment. Though not all of it is shown below, I’ve used the following partnering gear in this system:

• Lumin U1 Mini with SBooster upgrade
• Aurender N10 Streamer
• PS Audio DSJ DAC
• Chord 2Qute DAC
• Ayre Codex DAC (shown)
• Art Audio DM-VPS Linestage
• Don Sachs D2 Linestage
• REL Carbon Special Sub
• Martin Logan Grotto Sub
• Emerald Physics CS2P speakers
• Merlin TSM Black Magic Edition speakers
• Audio Physic Yara Evo

The Audio Mirror 45w SET monoblock amplifiers delivered good sound quality across every iteration of my system. These amps, powered by the unique 6C33C-B triode tubes, struck a nice balance, blending the energy and immediacy of a 45 tube with the refinement and transparency typically associated with a 300B. The result was a lively, yet detailed presentation, underpinned by a solid and extended low-frequency foundation that brought the music to life.

Sonic Characteristics

The Audio Mirrors exude a sense of effortless power and control. Even when paired with relatively challenging speakers like the Merlin TSM-MM speakers, with their 87dB sensitivity and an impedance that dips as low as 6.5 ohms, the amps drove them with room-filling authority. What’s particularly striking is how these amps manage to feel much more powerful than their rated output. They consistently exhibited a grip over the music, delivering clean, undistorted sound even at higher volumes.

• Transparency: The amplifiers bring an impressive level of clarity to the music. Details emerge naturally, without any artificial edge or harshness. Vocals, in particular, are rendered with a beautiful immediacy and presence, making it feel as if the singer is right there with you in the room.
• Midrange Magic: Midrange reproduction is where the Audio Mirrors shine brightest. The tonal balance is quite lush yet not overly euphonic,  instruments such as strings and woodwinds sound rich and authentic, the Reflection amps capturing every subtle nuance of the performance.
• Bass Control: While tube amplifiers sometimes get criticized for loose or flabby bass, the Audio Mirror 45w SET defy that stereotype. They provide taut, punchy low-end reproduction, with enough weight and slam to satisfy even bass-heavy genres like electronic, dance, or rock.
• High-Frequency Detail: The treble is extended and sweet without being overly bright or fatiguing. Cymbals, hi-hats, and upper harmonics shimmer naturally, adding air and dimension to the overall soundstage.

Dynamics and Soundstage

One of the most captivating aspects of these monoblocks is their ability to handle dynamic swings with ease. From the quietest whispers of a solo piano to the explosive crescendos of a full orchestra, the Audio Mirror monoblocks maintain their composure. Microdynamics are also handled beautifully, allowing for subtle shifts in tone and texture to come through with startling realism. Time spent with the little Audio Physic Yara Evo really brought to light the tone and texture and subtle details that these amps are capable of delivering.

The soundstage is expansive, both in width and depth, creating a three-dimensional listening experience. Instruments and vocals are precisely placed within the soundfield, making it easy to visualize the layout of a live performance. The amps create an immersive environment where the listener feels enveloped by the music.

System Synergy

The Audio Mirror 45w SET showcased their versatility with a variety of components and musical styles. Paired with the Merlin TSM-MM BME speakers, they produced a cohesive and engaging sound that never felt strained. Switching to a smaller speaker like the Audio Physic Yara, with its capacity to reveal micro details in abundance, the amps delivered all of the detail and nuance without ever sounding harsh or etched.

Their inherent warmth and musicality make them an excellent match for digital sources, helping to mitigate any harshness or sterility that might be present. I have not yet paired them with a high-quality analog source but would expect the Audio Mirrors to emphasize the natural warmth and richness of analog sound.

Wrapping Up

The Audio Mirror 45w SET monoblock amplifiers are a good choice for anyone seeking high-end sound from the used marketplace without the compromises often associated with tube amplification. Their ability to combine power, finesse, and tonal accuracy makes them a standout choice with any reasonably efficient speaker system, though the manufacturer does recommend a nominal 8-ohm impedance to maximize their capabilities.

CAH December 2024

I updated this review in July 2025 following a note from the manufacturer, who pointed out that there’s a version of the amps without aluminum side-panel heatsinks (mine), and an updated version with heatsinks, termed ‘REFLECTION’. I’d inadvertantly referered to my amps in the review as ‘Reflection’, simply because I wasn’t aware of the distinction. Any reference to this model/spec change is omitted from the manufacturer’s website, so how the hell was I supposed to know?