俄羅斯 S.A.Lab 高端音響品牌工廠深度探索

Jun 17
26 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

文｜龍五

第一次接觸到俄羅斯S.A.Lab這個高端音響品牌，是在2010年初從網絡上看到這個品牌的產品介紹，由於這公司的網站架構設計比較簡單直接，於是便一直不間斷地追蹤。期間我從另外一家歐洲品牌的內部消息得知，歐洲有好幾家音響品牌高端膽機用的輸出牛都是由S.A.Lab代工的，而且不是普通版本，而是高端合金輸出牛。

機緣巧合之下我由朋友推薦認識了S.A.Lab的創辦人Alexey Syomin，並且接受他的邀請前往俄羅斯去探訪他的公司S.A.Lab。基於早幾年疫情封關與及近年航班的調度，直至2025年聖誕節前幾天才可以正式安排飛去俄羅斯探班。這次旅程安排是從廣州白雲國際機場搭直航機，飛了十一個多小時才抵達俄羅斯謝列梅捷沃國際機場（以下簡稱SVO）。

接機當天Alexey從位於波多利斯克的廠房裡駕車出來，預了5小時經過外環MKAD高速公路才去到SVO機場。我在傍晚時分著陸，大約晚上8點才會合Alexey。 Alexey說正常50km路程去酒店，大約1個多小時應該可以到，可惜時近年尾，很多本地人回莫斯科機場及轉機，這個晚上非常塞車，足足用了3小時才能到達。

第二天早上，入到S.A.Lab工廠的音響房就看到最新S.A.Lab旗艦Hercules Monobloc前膽後石1,000瓦Class AB功放，馬上拍照打卡①。另外，後牆有S.A.Lab大Logo馬上和Alexey拍一張Selfie②。

Alexey Syomin是一名前蘇聯時期的軍部無線電工程師，他在2002年正式創立了S.A.Lab品牌。其實早於他年青時已經熱愛音樂，並且累積他多年電機工程的經驗，令他決定在42歲黃金年齡便開展他的個人品牌事業。藉著於他從前的工作關係，他收藏了龐大Germanium鍺晶體管和Nuvistor真空管的儲存，當然也少不了前蘇聯軍用級真空管儲備。

想要去了解音響品牌背後文化，就要從他們一些日常生活作息去體會：

• 接機當晚Alexey駕了一台BMW X5M SUV，看到它的22吋轆鈴配上了雪呔已經感覺似一台雪中大猛獸，我自己那台頂配吉利極氪001 EV 800匹馬力配22吋輪呔看起來也不夠它“型”。在整個駕駛過程逢車過車，一需要提速馬上到100km，車盤傳上來V8引擎的咆哮聲，果然真的是不一樣的高潮，和現在的EV是兩碼子的事情，他的身手反應絕對不似是一位65歲的前輩，換轉是我4小時也未必能到達酒店。由於近年歐洲車關稅成本高，這台車足足花費了200,000歐元，這點可以了解到俄羅斯人的思維是偏向於快、準、勁。

• Alexey是家中的暖男，主理所有家中餐飲。除了Alexey要參加國內或國外音響展，否則他一放工就會去超市買材料回家及安排晚餐。太太是一家嬰兒食品公司高管，家中共有3個女兒，最少的是16歲。在探廠的二天，我在他家裡共進了一個午餐和晚餐，完全融入了他家的溫暖。我在俄羅斯這個旅程有幸地品嘗了真正住家羅宋湯，最重要的原材料是紅菜頭，真的好味道。

• 每天中午假若Alexey在廠裡，他會和廠內的某些同事一同吃飯，其間我和兩位同事Alexey（他負責3D機箱設計，法拉利車漆噴漆和客人系統安裝等職務）和Ramon（接受過Alexey技術培訓，是世界上最年輕的牛魔皇）一起吃午飯。如果外出的話，Alexey也會買外賣回來，S.A.Lab團隊的凝聚力是非常好。現時S.A.Lab這廠房大約有十名員工，另外還有一個廠房専做機箱和機箱骨架。

• 和 Alexey探討世界各地其他品牌特色，又例如坊間用銀線繞牛製作。Alexey表示這種造法對於高頻和中頻有一定的優勢，但低頻的豐富度會明顯減少，但成本就會十倍以上地暴漲。Alexey説未必有這方面的需要，尤其是音樂訊號輸出牛，從古至今“牛”的英文俗語是用Iron字而不是線材，是針對鐵原材料方面為主，而線材只是次要原材料，最重要是繞製技術和鐵芯（合金芯片）配合。假如真的是線材重要過“牛”本身，變壓器的俗稱便會是Wire而不是Iron了。

• 俄羅斯是一個極富音樂歷史的民族，音樂史從18世紀開始到現在已經相當顯赫，其中以作曲家柴可夫斯基非常深入民心，尤其是芭蕾舞作品天鵝湖，胡桃夾子及多首交響曲等等，多位鋼琴家及小提琴家更是大師級人馬。

• Alexey追求是完美的音樂，有現場感染力，全頻延伸，一點也不可以缺少。從Alexey口中得知，莫斯科和聖彼得堡仍然有2間母帶製作錄音室，他很坦然説世界上沒有幾間錄音室是真正用全套模擬系統做Mastering，他廠裡基本是播開捲帶作為鑑聽參考，播CD只是一般收到朋友發過來Hi Fi Show展會碟或者是其他靚CD，所以S.A.Lab的音樂文化追求全頻播放，重現現場感染力。

• 去了莫斯科當地星期六的夜市去了解這個大城市市中心最旺的一個晚上，所有高級餐廳全部爆滿，看到所有客人尤其是女仕都穿上華麗衣服，餐廳並不接受walk-in客人，人均消費可達HK$1000元以上。俄羅斯位處於北半球緯度高位置，全年有1/3時間都是處於寒冷季節，當地人民都喜歡大型SUV當主要交通工具，超跑在這裡長時間只能在原地打滑所以不太合適。餐廳外面全泊滿大型進口SUV，例如路虎、平治大G、勞斯萊斯及第一次見到平治大G Brabus版6x6和當地高端汽車品牌Aurus。當然我只是體驗一般旅客的消費，兩個人花了HK$500元已經很好了。

以下是從技術方面去了解S.A.Lab為什麼能同時駕馭3種類型的放大管和變壓器技術：

1）Alexey收藏了龐大數量的Germanium鍺晶體管和Nuvistor真空管儲存，當然也少不了前蘇聯軍用級真空管。Germanium鍺晶體管是所有音響界工程師都知悉最近似電子管（膽機聲音），無奈在1970年後期已經被Silicon晶體管取代，而市場上RS、Farnell或者是Element 14零件供應商已經再沒有供應鏈，世界上只有S.A.Lab廠家擁有。S.A.Lab是唯一可以生產以上3種機種的高端音響公司，並且可以掌握到3款綜合技術（留意Chimera signal path設計）。

2）輸出牛應用在前級晶體管和電子管機上，所有S.A.Lab前級都是建基於single ended circuitry線路開發，訊號輸出經過獨家線路直接接到RCA輸出端或透過平行牛轉成平行訊號。假若是電子管放大，前級側會配置一個大型體積輸出牛（確保低ohm 值輸出）再接去輸出端口模塊上。

3）擁有真正牛魔皇之稱號，所有EI或者雙C牛、不論大小的電源牛、扼流圈、輸出牛全部都是由S.A.Lab自家生産，所有矽鋼都是進囗材料，而雙C輸出牛已經是世界上唯一一家生產商能夠拼配最多5種不同合金材料去發揮最佳聲音效果和控制磁飽和的問題。看圖3所見到巨大輸出牛用了5條金屬帶固定5種不同合金材料。如果你們以為類似視頻平台繞牛的影片那般，在繞牛機一開機就會自己轉動30秒便繞完，那便大錯特錯了。靚牛首先要看看結構有幾多個部分，而每一個部分要確保每條線從每層由左到右又或者由右至左，每一條線必須要緊貼著不能有虛位，從上正方向下望必須絕對平坦。看圖4所見到我手上唱放升壓牛足足有27組缐，因此可以看到複雜程度。

4）一般EI或雙C牛必須有一份俗稱排骨架或者英文稱為“Bobbin”。很多廠採用的絕緣材料例如尼龍、聚丙烯和電木等等。而Alexey比較喜歡用玻璃纖維，最主要原因是堅固、耐熱和絕緣，尤其是電源牛和輸出牛體積較重和較大，絕緣度高和受繞綫壓可以大和不易變形。最近Alexey又成功地使用特製絕緣卡紙做扼流圈Bobbin，因為卡紙是最佳音響物料，可以吸收微震動。S.A.Lab所用圖片中的繞牛機也是俄羅斯本地品牌至今仍然運作中，已經達35年歷史。看圖5 Ramon專業及細緻的態度非常重要。圖6是Hercules牛唱放訊號源RIAA均衡曲線交連所用的火牛/扼流圈，圖7是 Thunderbird SE膽前級電子管供電的扼流圈。

5）我發現S.A.Lab牛原來真的會唱歌，Hercules唱放線路設計是利用原生電子管交連牛電器特性，例如電感耗損和電容值，透過4隻交連牛和4隻扼流圈來還原RIAA曲線而完全不需要電阻電容在訊號源上應用，唱針在唱片上拾訊時再通過電子管放大產生共鳴，可以很清楚地聽到牛會唱歌，是前所未有的一個現代品牌可以成功做到。我曾解釋及邀請專業朋友將耳朵靠近這唱放聽一下，原來發覺朋友不能聽到dB聲壓太低的音量，有興趣朋友歡迎來到我的音樂坊體驗一下。

6）為迎合亞洲客人喜歡直接用眼睛去看品牌的價值，多次和S.A.Lab Alexey協商後，從2026年開始生產所有去大中華地區的S.A.Lab成品，所有PCB都會加上Immersive Gold工業生產工序，即是我們叫鍍金PCB板，也可以說最高的生產成本。至於什麼叫Immersive Gold鍍金技術，各位可以Google一下。鑑於應用了這個決策，所有PCB完成了鍍金過程的半成品，聲音截然是有所改變，Alexey也要做一些聲效微調已確保可以保持原來的聲音特性。看圖8就是Autograph Output PCB板已做了鍍金處理。看圖9就是Verus SE前級PCB板已做了鍍金處理。

7）所有S.A.Lab機內所使用電阻全是透過Alexey從前軍方的工作伙伴替他們生產獨有的金屬膜電阻，誤差值只有0.1%（記住是0.1%；不是1%），即使在使用過程零件有發熱情況也不會影響數值變動。

介紹2026年度重頭戲，分別有以下3個新產品：

1. S.A.Lab Verus SE - 全新簡化版用了每個聲道cascade 2組Germanium放大板，以直立式模組垂直插入到主板，配備LED顯示燈為確定Germanium管工作狀態是否正常和透過input relay輸入到這模組，而聲音質量和旗艦Verus Reference Germanium分體電源雙機體版前級是近似的。Alexey說2026版本會增加EQ模組給客人多一些調校，以配合不同的聆聽環境。

2. S.A.Lab Chimera唱放是全新一體式機組3管式唱放，內置PSRR供電系統達市場最高SN rejection ratio 170dB。Chimera是廠家2026年主打產品，建基於2025原生6922雙三極電子管放大線路，標配K10, K25 升壓牛。客人可以選用6922 雙三極電子管cascade放大或選用Nuvistor電子管做放大，與此同時，Chimera唱放也加入了一套Germanium鍺晶體管模組做輸出buffer，所以聲音更加溫暖柔潤。

3. S.A.Lab Autograph Monobloc功放，是全新採用4 x俄羅斯軍用功率電子管GU-50 Class AB推挽單聲道後級，提供200瓦輸出功率。這台機driver部分是用2 x 6SN7電子管。全機PCB都是鍍金，配有S.A.Lab最新ASIC智能主動式偏壓控制和監控模組，用家可以透過LCD Touch Panel改變偏壓工作點。Alexey也分享GU-50原來是發射管用途，配合S.A.Lab恰當輸出牛和線路設計，中高音絕對可以媲美300B，而低頻也承傳了俄羅斯音樂文化全頻非常豐富。Autograph電源供電牛和單聲道輸出牛體積是非常之巨大，配上S.A.Lab品牌的紅色標誌，外觀非常之吸引。

S.A.Lab安裝案例參考龍虎榜：

其實俄羅斯人也和我們一樣，一般都是追求很多非常昂貴的音響品牌作配搭。今次藉此機會以音箱為主分享一下俄羅斯客人高端音響用戶的選擇：

1）Wilson Audio WAMM Master Chronosonic旗艦喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）為主功放，而Relentless Monobloc功放只能留下來推動Wilson Audio已停產舊型號Thor’s Hammer超低音。

2）Wilson Audio X-1 Grand SLAMM舊型號旗艦喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Hercules牛唱放 + Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）為功放推動。

3）ATC EL150旗艦喇叭，S.A.Lab Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）功放推低音，用S.A.Lab Samson Tower Monobloc（電子管版本）功放推中高音。

4）Kharma Exquisite Classique喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Hercules牛唱放 + Black Knight Reference Monobloc（Germanium鍺晶體管）功放推動。

5）Magico S5喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）推動。

6）Peak Consult EI Diablo喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）功放推動。

7）TAD The Reference One旗艦喇叭，S.A.Lab Samson電子管分體前級 + Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）功放推動。

8）TAD The Compact Reference One旗艦喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Black Knight Stereo功放（橋接當單聲道）推動。

9）PBN MR！777旗艦喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + S.A.Lab Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）和S.A.Lab Samson Tower Monobloc（電子管版本）輪流交換推動主揚聲器，Bass Tower是PBN主動式低音箱每邊配備2台X Class D單聲道後級提供2 X 700瓦功率推動4 X 18”低音炮單元。

10）Burmester Ambience BA71喇叭，S.A.Lab Lilt唱放 + Black Knight Integrated Stereo功放直接推動。

11）RaidHo TD2.2喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Black Knight Stereo功放推動。

12）Avantgarde Mezzo喇叭，S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE前級 + Hercules牛唱放 + Samson Tower Monobloc（電子管版本）推動中高音。

俄羅斯S.A.Lab高端音響品牌Showroom

前文看到廠家的聆聽房間並不是配備了500萬元級的貴喇叭，Alexey認為並沒有這需要，S.A.Lab參考安裝案例已經証明了一切。有見及此，我也要拜訪一下S.A.Lab品牌與當地合作伙伴在莫斯科市中心Showroom給大家看看，我會寫出少量器材清單供參考。

Turntable

．AVID Acutus

．EMT 928

．VYGER Indian Signature IV

Loudspeaker

．RAIDHO TD3.8

．TAD The Grand Evolution One

．Clarisys Audio Studio Mk2

Phono

．S.A.Lab Hercules

．S.A.Lab Chimera

．S.A.Lab Lilt

．Musical Fidelity NU-VISTA Vinyl 2

．Aesthetix Audio RHEA

Pre-Amplifier

．S.A.Lab Thunderbird SE

．TAD C600

Power Amplifier

．S.A.Lab Thunderbird Stereo（電子管版本）

．S.A.Lab Black Knight Stereo（晶體管版本）

．S.A.Lab Samson Tower Monobloc（晶體管版本）

．S.A.Lab Samson Tower Monobloc（電子管版本）

．S.A.Lab Black Knight Reference Monobloc（Germanium 晶體管）

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Foreward S.A.Lab

I had established my 1st contact with this Luxury Russian Audio Brand - S.A. Laboratory hereafter called SALAB in early 2012 when I was told by my Italian partner they are using an extreme high grade Russian OEM custom made Permalloy Output Transformer in their gear, I was shocked at that moment who can make this Double C core premium copper wire silver-plated output transformer that could successfully blend in and match with another top notch Italian Audio Brand. I am an internet web surfing manic, and I started my research on SALAB and found a lot of reviews on the European Web Site and the SALAB URL home page design structure and layout is very good presented, and I could locate all the information what I need.

Further arranged by a private & exclusive referral from my Italian partner, I was introduced to Alexey Syomin whom he is the founder for this company. Alexey Syomin, the founder of SALAB, is a former military radio engineer, who has gained in-depth knowledge and experience in designing various audio equipment as well as other high-tech electronic equipment. For many years he was seeking a perfect way to reproduce sound. It was a passionate hobby, when he constantly tried new and new options, and a found solution was just another step for the next round of research. It was a way without compromises as he did it, first of all, for himself and not for commercial interest. After 20 years of research the hobby has become a business, when the equipment started to be created not only for own purposes but also for other music lovers ‡ that is how SALAB brand was born.

I did not have a chance to arrange a factory visit in the past years and there was a COVID outbreak in the world and some environmental concerns which is difficult for me to plan a visit to SALAB in Russia. Not until in late 2025 Winter, I have resolved and shortlisted one of the best flying routes from Guangzhou (China) to Moscow (Russia) which is also a direct flight 11-hour flight directly to the Sheremetyevo SVO International Airport. Upon my arrival just before the Christmas holiday, the Sheremetyevo was full of returned local citizens, transit guests and visitors. Luckily, my passport is not required VISA, and it just took me around 40 minutes queuing at the Passport Control and finally met Alexey at the arrival hall.

The 1st contact ‡ Alexey is a 65-year-old gentleman welcome me at the Arrival Hall and catches me to the parking lot, it was a rainy night, and the road shoulder was full of mud arising from the melting snow. He is driving like an extreme wild horse ‡ The BMW X5M. Alexey is a energetic, calm and well controlled person, his driving skill has surprised me like a professional racer, it took us around 3 hours to get to the famous Fish Point Resort Hotel in Podolsk area for 50km distance and had a late supper around 11pm at the restaurant, indeed, there was a very heavy traffic jam this evening.

On the next morning, Alexey picked me up at the Hotel and drove me back to their Factory in about 15min driving distance, the SALAB Factory is located in an industrial park inside one of the multi-storey building complexes and Alexey coached me to this building and walked up on the top floor (4/F). Once I approached and step inside the listening room there is 3 vintage studio tape players and I was shocked and my attention was caught by the latest Power Amplifier setup on the floor ‡ The Hercules (Monobloc) Power Amplifier weights 500lb each which is a Monster. According to Alexey this is a hybrid Class AB (Monobloc) Amplifier which the driver part is tube driven and a solid-state output stage configured in Class AB delivering 1,000 watts of power. The chassis is solid and well-built, and the cosmetic aesthetics is inherited by SALAB culture with the Luxury Car Paint in metallic silver paint. In addition, I have spotted on the other side of the listening room, the high side of the wall hoisted a big SALAB brand logo, and I caught up a selfie with Alexey immediately.

Excluding the Ultimate Hercules Power Amplifier in the listening room, there are 3 new product items in demonstration:

• The new Verus SE Pre Amplifier;

• The new Chimera Phono Pre Amplifier;

• The new Autograph Tube Monobloc Power Amplifier;

Behind the scenes - How to understand a Brand’s culture but not by just by judging from outside aesthetic or cosmetic appearance?

A lot of people generally judge an Audio Brand presented on social media/internet by using how many jewels embedded or assembled on the equipment or how gigantic the CNC aluminum casing it is but not actually listen to it. Say, if this is Loudspeaker Brand, it must be coupled with another Tier 1 source and amplifier Brand worth a multi-million US$ dollars or vice versa. Generally, majority of people use their eyes to shop for music rather than deeply listen to the live music reproduction of the brand. We may need to get down to the earth and on the ground and deeply communicate with the people.

The following is the key element exploring a good Audio Brand starting from the cultural background and down to the individual, self-esteem, patience, personality and inner heart of the Owner/Designer which leads to the proper selection of the Brand.

Element 1: -

On the night, Alexey has picked me up at the SVO Airport, I think he had chosen the best Car for his daily usage in Moscow ‡ The BMW X5M SUV that fit all the used cases in the Moscow throughout the whole year and capable to handle in such an extreme weather. His driving skill is very quick and responsive, he just processed the decision in just within a second, to take turns, accelerated and fully maximized the M Power drive mode on the highway. When he accelerates, I can hear the low frequency engine power chain moaning via the exhaust pipe transfer to the chassis into the compartment chamber ‡ the sound is very sexy indeed. Remember the Moscow MKAD highway circuit is full of traffic with trucks and cars, especially a few days before Christmas. Not a modern Geely Zeekr Brand 001 EV with an equivalent 800 bhp can deliver the same excitement to the driver.

Element 2: -

Alexey had demonstrated himself as a good Boss looking after his staff and always provide a close & friendly relationship, tea m bonding and ensure his staff obtaining the best nutrition at Lunch and interpersonal interaction at work. From the photos far left side, the young lad is Ramon whom he had inherited all Alexey’s technical knowledge in winding step-up, choke, output transformer, power supply transformers in all sizes. He graduated from the local Technical Institute and turned into apprenticeship whom Alexey became his mentor in the past 15 years. I also met another younger lad Alexey whom he is looking after the Chassis and Case 3D design, Car Painting, Quality Control and an Acoustic Engineer for VIP customers. We went to Alexey’s home for a lunch gather and enjoying the genuine Russian Borscht soup and caviar to serve with the ham and bread.

Element 3: -

Alexey is a nice and warm father with whom he has 3 daughters; the youngest daughter is now 16 whom she is studying at International School and living along with the family. During the normal working day, he finished his work at the Factory and catch the pre-order meat at the nearby supermarket when he finished work, he is the master chef at home looking after all the dinner and well prepared for the family. His wife is working at the baby food multinational firm as a senior management role at Moscow City. Except that Alexey do not need to manage the Kitchen and cooking work when he needs to be participating at the Audio Fair across the country. Also, his daughter will give Alexey a hug every time they catch up at home.

Element 4: -

During my conversation with Alexey, he has the same vision as mine that for a good tube gear must have a good built transformer, choke, output transformer and Balanced XLR to RCA transformer and down to the tiny step-up transformer. He produces all these transformers in-house to optimize the high military specification to his own standard. He had adopted to use premium copper wire and the exotic silver plated or gold plated wired to wind the transformer for extreme customer demand requests. He uses exotics good quality metal plate material for EI or Double C core transformers. He shared with me a joke, in the western word we usually named the transformer as “iron” which represents the power transformer or output transformer, but we never use “wire” to represent as transformer, Alexey has the full know-how and knowledge on exotic metal material, winding technique for the best transformer made in their factory. Hence, they don’t just use solid silver wires alone for transformers and claim rare, exotic and expensive. For solid state gear, Alexey has an enormous inventory of Germanium or Vintage JFET and SIT transistors inventory for his products.

Element 5&6: -

Russia is a country where its peoples is full of musical spirit in their blood and artistic essence in their people. From 18th centuries, there was so may great composer, musician born in Russia to become a very famous legendary in the history. In addition, Russian has may famous Theater for Opera and musical performance. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is a legendary icon ‡ musician and composer from Russian whom the Nutcracker and Swan Lake are one of the renowned ballet performances representing the golden era of the musical development in Russia’s history.

At the Kremlin at Moscow, there is a 40 tons Tsar Cannon and the 200 tons Tsar Bell both were cast by Bronze demonstrated and proven the cultural renaissance development in the period. The 1812 Overture also commemorates the Russia’s successful defense against Napoleon’s invasion; hence, we have this musical story to derive this famous album ‡ CD/Cassette, Vinyl and Tape.

Element 7: -

We had listened to Analog Tapes most of the time during my stay at the Factory, Alexey told me that they have 2 recording studios in Russia: 1 in Moscow and 1 in St. Petersburg which both studio has a full analog setup mastering workbench for manufacturing tape not the fake AD/DA conversion kindergarten stuff, he had shown me some of the collections in the Factory. Alexey is a very demanding person; he is manufacturing supreme excellent audio equipment that can reproduce real music with the rhythm and magic that can touch you even a stranger who passes by will catch him and dance along with the music. He needs a full body tonal with a good extension of high/treble for liquid smooth string instrument reproduction, an extremely attractive and sexy vocal reproduction from a either a Baritone or mezzo-soprano. The bass must be well extending to very deep feeling - not the metal punchy murder weapon that delivers only earthquake feeling but very well and fluent heavy low frequency sound wave that would spark you the with the sweetest moment and atmosphere.

Element 8: -

As a Chinese tourist or an Asian visitor to Moscow, we must experience the best weekend night at Capital City night life for descent food, drinks and prestigious gathering event. All the top-notch restaurants only accept pre-booking in advance and do not accept walk-in customers at the weekend. Walking on the high street in front of the top Michelin ranked restaurant, I can see all the well-dressed gentlemen and the charming ladies whom they were respecting the moment. On the other side of the street, I can tell those exotics luxury super car is parked in front of the restaurant ‡ Big Range Rover, Mercedes G Wagon, the even extreme Brabus 6x6 G Wagon, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maclaren as well as the local Russian Luxury Brand ‡ Arus.

At the SALAB listening room, Alexey is using a vintage Diatone 3-way DS-90C loudspeaker as his reference speaker.

Hey man !

Stop it !!!

Do not look down on this vintage speaker, it can reproduce a very rich full body and musicality like a live music performance. Not a modern giant 6’ tall 1000lb loudspeaker can reproduce with such a good lively musical performance alone.

Next Chapter: To understand SALAB from the technical aspect

Factor #1

Alexey had stocked enormous inventory of the 70s Germanium transistors, Nuvistor tubes and Russian made vacuum tubes in his collection whom he partially stores in the Factory. Germanium is classified as the most warm-sounding transistor like tubes in the electric world in the market and there are no more supplies available from those semi-conductors’ giant web store like RS, Farnell or Element14 after 80s. Also in 2026, SALAB produced a new Chimera Phono Pre Amp that has integrated and adopted 3 different types of amplification; Tubes and the Germanium transistor into 1 unit.

Factor #2

SALAD is adopting the native RCA single ended circuitry for all the product range, with whom Alexey will use an extremely good quality transformer transmits the Balanced signal to convert back to RCA signal to offer its full range compatibility with some customers are very particular to stick with market modern XLR Balanced source equipment connectivity. Alexey will also equip an ultra-low impedance output transformer for its Phono and Line Pre Amplifier say 40 ohms to the output signal terminal block.

Factor #3

SALAB is the only company that is 100% fit to earn and bear the title as “God of Audio Transformer”. From tiny step-up phono transformer weight 50 grams to the largest output transformer 50 kilograms used in the Samson, it is all built by Ramon. For the push pull output transformer SALAB is delivering a modular metal block that it could adopt and utilize different rare metal properties to control magnetic saturation to achieve the best music reproduction performance. Alexey has transformer winding machines also manufactured in Russia, the winding of a transformer based on calculation, material used and winding technique. Unlike most companies, the technician just fired up the winding machine and set the right turns for each section, and the machine will finish it in just a few seconds. However, Ramon will do it in a different approach, every 1 turn or a few turns, Ramon will stop the machine and use an insulated flat pad to pack and align the wire tightly from left to right or vice versa and ensure that the wire is fully level around the bobbins.

Referring to the photos shown, the gigantic push pull Double C Core output transformer is wrapped with 5 metal straps tightly hold the 5 different metal material in place to optimize the best electronic properties and to prevent premature magnetic saturation of the transformer. The is one of the biggest Audio Grade output transformers I have not seen in the world so far. Also, please look at the tiny, small step-up transformer on my hand, this tiny step-up transformer consists of 27 groups of high-quality and high purity gold plated copper wire in it, you can also even notice the thickness of the fiber board and the complexity of it.

Factor #4

Generally, either an EI or Double C core transformer must build on a Bobbins which usually the market will use insulated material such Nylon, Polypropylene, Bakelite board. However, Alexey has preferred to use fiber board for its best insulation property and structure rigidity. Alexey has an industrial laser cutting machine to custom make the board size for a tiny setup transformer and the gigantic push pull output transformer. The tube will dissipate heat and throughout the whole chassis and current will pass through the transformer, a transformer ambient temperature may rise to 60~70 or 80+ (if this is place nearby a 211/845 power tubes) degrees Celsius under normal conditions ‡ Nylon, Polypropylene is not a good material. Nevertheless, Alexey has also utilized the reinforced paper composite material for the Choke which can absorb resonance and unwanted noise during the electricity current flowing through the unit.

The photos have also demonstrated the professionalism of Ramon and the focus and concentration he is working at the winding machine workbench. The sub photos on the left show the Hercules Phono RLX used transformer used for the RIAA circuitry also adopted the paper composite material as bobbins. On the right, this grey frame contains the small power supply chock for the Thunderbird SE preamplifier unit.

Factor #5

A Chinese proverb says, “Play the lute (Piano) to a cow”. This proverb implies “a cow” is an animal that don’t know what music is. This is a funny statement I like to share an interesting story with everyone. In Chinese, we called Transformer as “Cow” which they share the same homophone. SALAB Hercules RLX Phono has employed total 20 units of Power Transformers, Chokes, step-up transformers, RIAA Chokes and transformers and output transformers. When we play music on the vinyl and the cartridge pick up the music signal and multiply, the RIAA circuity formed by the transformer will generate amplification and resonate the music signal whom I can hear the music (PS: must mute the preamplifier). Hence, I could say “Cow” can sing a Song. See how fascinating a good transformer can change music into live performances. Not a lot of people can hear the low gain music generating from the Hercules RLX Phono Preamplifier box, a lot of people cannot hear low decibel information at all.

Factor #6

A lot of people are too keen to look at the PCB board is gold plated or assembled with Jewels whom they are not engineers at all. From 2026 onwards, all SALAB PCB will embed with the common manufacturing process called Immersive Gold-plated process by which most people like to look at this by judging the appearance of material used inside the gear. However, this industrial process will enhance the visual appearance of board, but Alexey will need to review and adjust the tonal fully aligned with the Tonal Standard because any change of major electric path contact substance will affect the sound.

The following photos show the new Autograph Power Amplifier and the Verus SE Preamplifier that has completed this with the Immersive gold-plated process.

Factor #7

SALAB uses the metal oxide resistor is all manufactured in Russian per the military standard requested by Alexey. This is all 0.1% precision accuracy and precision across a wide temperature usage environment; this is not easily seen on other Audio Brand in the world.

2026/2027 New Product Highlights release to the market

• Versus SE Preamplifier (Germanium)

Inherited from the Flagship Versus Reference Preamplifier (2 chassis), this model is meant to couple with the Ultimate Black Knight Reference (Germanium) Power Amplifier. However, the dual chassis Versus contains a full outbound PSU chassis which also adopted a dual regulated board fully utilizing Germanium diode and transistor. This Verus SE has adopted only 1 single main chassis design plus an external power transformer supply for the utility and main power purpose to deliver a much budget selection to the customer. The new Versus SE has employed an upright modular board design which each channel contains 2 boards configured in a cascade topology with a copper plate as separate for the best shielding purpose. LED indicator is provided to show the circuity operation status to ensure the Germanium transistor is running well. In addition, there is an option to add with an EQ module as room control feature to offer to customers for a handy calibration to suit their room acoustic adjustment without touching the most sensible vocal range.

• The Chimera Phono Preamplifier

Alexey had introduced this as the world 1st class Phono that employed a mixture of tubes and solid state (Germainum) buffer board which enjoying the best electronic characteristic of both. It uses 6922 double triodes in Cascade mode for the tube section that is widely popular among audiophiles. As a partner with SALAB, Alexey also offers other options to have the Nuvistor tube board allowing partner to toggle to enjoy different musical properties from different types of tubes. Chimera Phono has two types of step-up transformers for 10x standard and 25x low output MC-cartridges. Transformers are wounded by high purity gold plated copper wire. For the Single Chassis design, it has embedded the newly designed PSU in the same unit which achieves highest PSRR (Power Supply Rejection Ratio): 170 dB on 50 kHz and 110 dB on 50 and 100 Hz in whole frequency spectrum (1 V output level). No doubt, this is the best and handy Phono Preamplifier that could beat a lot of similar gear on the market.

• The Autograph Tube Power Amplifier (Monobloc)

First in the world, Alexey this time selected the native Russian Military power tube GU-50 for Autograph. Each Channel is employed 4 x GU-50 in a push pull configuration in moderate operating point delivering a constant 200-Watt Class AB mode at 4 ohms. The GU-50 is a transmission pentodes tube which is very good in reproducing smooth & liquid mid and high frequency reproduction with the proper driver couple to the output stage to match with a proper calculated and wounded push pull output transformer. Alexey claimed that the Autograph will deliver a good sonic performance like the legendary 300B for the remarkable mid-range and it also provides a rich and tight control for the bass. Alexey has adopted a new BIAS module using a new ASIC chip using Altera FPGA controller to keep monitoring the bias level every 30 seconds. At the back of the unit, there is a touch pad LED panel that allows the customer to manage and monitor the BIAS on a periodic checking purpose.

Conclusions:

Last but not least, people tend to use their eyes for shopping, I have insisted and chatted with Alexey I must need to pay a visit to their Showrooms in Moscow City and visualize the top tier setup and generally the top notch Russian Customer visit their showroom for an audition and made their final purchase. Also, there is 12 proven success installation reference case in Russian whom we have confirmed the local VIP customer has experienced with a lot of American and European brand at the very beginning and final selected the SALAB as the winner which is matched with SALAB slogan ‡ Nothing but Music.

SALAB Installation Case Studies - Top Performer lists:

Case #1: The customer has selected and locked down the Loudspeaker Brand and Model to be the Wilson Audio WAMM Master Chronosonic Flagship Speaker, he was previously selected the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic 1600 Monobloc to drive this speaker but with no hope and success and could not obtain the real live performance and musicality. Further having a detail conversation with Alexey and understanding what he need and explained the technical reason behind all these and how SALAB’s audio gear can fully manage to drive the Wilson Audio speaker and still able to deliver the live living music reproduction to the customer, the final setup is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) to take the lead to drive the WAMM Master Chronosonic while the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic 1600 Monobloc remained in the listening room to drive the Wilson Audio EOL Thor’s Hammer sub-woofer. PS: This prestigious customer is also using the TechDAS Zero Turntable as his reference Vinyl system.

Case #2: The customer is using the Ex-Flagship Wilson Audio X-1 Grand SLAM Speaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Hercules RLX Phono Amp + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) to tame this speaker via single ended connection and deliver live-living music reproduction to the customer.

Case #3: The customer is using the ATC EL150 Reference Flagship Speaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Tube) for the Mid-Treble + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) for the woofer section to tame this speaker and deliver live-living music to the customer. In addition, this customer had also owned Ex-Flagship Wilson Audio X-1 Grand SLAM Speaker and the selected the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic 1600 Monobloc amplifier as spare now.

Case #4: The customer is using the Kharma Exquisite Classique which is famous for its tough and stringent requirement to couple with a good Power Amplifier, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Hercules RLX Phono Amp + Black Knight Reference Monobloc (Germanium – 400 watt) to tame this speaker and deliver her full capability and live-living music reproduction to the customer.

Case #5: The customer is using the Magico S5 large floor stand loudspeaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) to maximize its high-resolution characteristic of this speaker and deliver full body live-living music reproduction to the customer.

Case #6: The customer is using the Peak Consult EI Diablo large floor stand loudspeaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) to maximize its high damping and rigid cabinet structure and still deliver full body live-living music reproduction to the customer.

Case #7: The customer is using the TAD – The Reference One Flagship large floor stand loudspeaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) to maximize its high damping and rigid cabinet structure and still deliver full body live-living music reproduction level to the customer and re-write the TAD history to stand out and compete in the North America market into a next level not just only sweet sounding in the Mid-Range.

Case #8: The customer is using the TAD – The Compact Reference One Flagship bookshelf loudspeaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Black Knight Stereo Amplifier (Solid-state) Bridged mono setup to drive this small bookshelf speaker but able maximize its brand characteristic and still deliver full body live-living music reproduction close to its big brother similar to Case #7 to the customer.

Case #9: The customer is using this American PBN MR ! 777 Gigantic Monster loudspeaker, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Solid-state) for the Main Tower to swap between tube and solid state setup while the Woofer Tower is embedded with Class D amplifier to drive 4 x 18” woofer on each channel and deliver full body live-living music reproduction to the customer.

Case #10: The customer is using the Burmester Ambience BA71, he is using the SALAB Lilt Phono amp + Black Knight Stereo Integrated Amplifier (Solid-state) and still deliver full body live-living music to the customer without the bespoke generic German engineering and cultural pattern.

Case #11: The customer is using the RaidHo TD2.2, he is using the SALAB Lilt Phono amp + Black Knight Stereo Integrated Amplifier (Solid-state) and still deliver full body live-living music to the customer without the traditional North Scandinavian seasonal pattern.

Case #12: The customer is using the Avantgarde Mezzo, he is using the SALAB Thunderbird SE Pre-amp (Tube) + Samson Tower Monobloc (Tube) to optimize its high sensitivity Horn loaded Mid and Treble section and still deliver full body live-living music reproduction to the customer.