Ypsilon

AmplifiersPreamplifiers & phono stagesDigital sources

Ypsilon Electronics is a Greek high-end company based near Athens and led by its designer Demetris Baklavas. It is best known for hybrid amplifiers that combine valves and transistors, and for its unusual use of transformers: its PST-100 preamplifier uses a transformer-based volume control and gain stage, which reviewers have praised for its purity. Its SET-100 hybrid monoblocks, which use a single-ended valve driver stage with a transistor output stage, and the Aelius monoblocks are among its best-known amplifiers. Ypsilon also makes phono stages, step-up transformers and DACs, and it winds its own transformers in-house. Its products are built in small numbers and are expensive, and they are usually described as having a natural, spacious and very refined sound. Ypsilon electronics have frequently been paired with large loudspeakers, such as those from Rockport, in show demonstrations. Because the company makes so much of its equipment in-house, including transformers, its products have a coherent design philosophy across the range, and owners often build complete systems from Ypsilon components.

Notable Ypsilon products

• PST-100 preamplifier
• SET-100 monoblocks
• Aelius monoblocks
• DAC 1000
• VPS-100 phono stage