THE LARS - 300B Hifi Tube Amplifier

The Story

Lars Engstöm was only twelve years old when he constructed his first tube amplifiers. The passion for music nourished his ambition to one day be able to build an amplifier which could reproduce sound just as it is – in its own natural purity.

But the history of THE LARS didn’t start here. It began already in 1906, when the American Lee de Forest invented the Audion – a diode vacuum tube detector which could amplify weak electrical signals. About two years later De Forest used the Audion to develop a three-element device – later called a triode. His inventions made it possible to make transcontinental phone calls, to broadcast radio and to put sound on silent film on the cinemas.

In the 1930’s audio manufacteurs started to use pentodes instead of triodes. But in our opinion the amplifier didn’t get any better, only cheaper. The new technology with pentodes and later transistors made it possible for almost anyone to buy an amplifier. The development stagnated and the triodes seemed to be forgotten.

After a successful career as an international renowned engineer specialized in electronic signal and control systems Lars Engström decided to focus on his percerving dream – to build the best amplifier in world and he was certain that using triodes was the only way to succeed.

In the 1970’s the Finish audio engineer Dr. Matti Otala became world famous for his studies in Transient Intermodulation Distortion – a sound distortion problem he both detected and solved. Influenced by the work of Dr. Otala Lars Engström was determined to build a TIM-free amplifier which amplified the sound without changing it.

With his long experience in audio engineering improved with the latest research on sound reproduction Lars Engström felt confident that he was going to fulfill his goal. The components he chosed to use are selected from world-leading manufactures. And some of them are even special-made for THE LARS.

His nephew and the well-respected designer Timo Engström got the prestigious mission to create an exterior which not only protected the amplifiers pounding heart but also reflect THE LARS’ inner capacity. Inspired by classic Swedish radio and TV furniture design Timo Engström has given the amplifier a look which brings forth its uniqueness compared to other modern sound systems.

In 2009 Lars and Timo founded the family company Engström & Engström – an audio engineering bureau specialized in exclusive high-end products. One year after the launch the class A amplifier THE LARS has already become an internationally renowned amplifier, praised for its enchanting musicality, extreme precision and visually striking appearance.