Even less successful recordings like Avishai Cohen’s latest Aurora -- we labeled it a coaster after trying to make it through twice -- managed a full spin with the Yarland. It’s not that we suddenly liked the music. We thought it embarrassing that Avishai should pick up singing. Still, it was possible now to listen to all tracks non-analytically for a semblance of enjoyment. In the end though, this CD remains in the ‘questionable’ corner of our library.

No such questions arose with the Mathias Duplessy Trio’s L’hermite Voyageur where the leader plays guitar, oud, berimbau, 10-string guitar and vocalizes with his fellow cellist and percussionist. With this release, the trio takes the listener on an eclectic tour around a musical world whose influences stem from the Mediterranean, Arab neighbors and even Mongolia. The latter is expressed by the trio leader’s extraordinary throat singing. This CD could be part of Renaud Garcia Fons’ Folklore Imaginaire into which category we might place the Hadouk Trio as well. They all breathe the same emotion and passion. This already should be high recommendation but now add the fact that the CD was recorded live at the Satelit Café, the ultimate world music center in Paris. Played over the Yarland, the strong dynamics and complicated rhythms filled the room with ease and there was only one way to respond - with love.

No matter what music we picked, the FV34AIIISA performed very well. Its quick reflexes on dynamic impulses combined with the coherence of a single-ended design are supported by quality parts and proper output transformers. According to the specifications supplied, those use oxygen-free copper windings but Yarland must also use a quality steel core which the OCC winds around. With a price tag of €439 (roughly $500 ex. tax), this amplifier delivers an abundance of musical value. In order to perform its best, simply supply high-efficiency loudspeakers of 95dB or better and voilà: realsization in a world gone mad from the effects of greed. The Yarland stands for something else altogether...

Quality of packing: Adequate cardboard box with separate box for the 5 tubes. Reusability of packing: A few times. Ease of un/repacking: Easy. Condition of component received: Brand new. Completeness of delivery: Power cord and user manual are included. Quality of owner's manual: Covers several models but isn’t always clear due to poor English. Website comments: Website is improving but needs more work. Warranty: 1 year with 6 months on tubes.

Human interactions: Friendly and helpful.
Pricing:  Extreme value for money
Final comments & suggestions: The user manual needs definite overhauling and detailed explanations on setting bias. Regarding the Chinese tubes, we question whether tube rolling should even be considered given the prices of so-called ‘better’ tubes.