Prautes by Cipher Labs

At $3900 USD, the Prautes by Cipher Labs is priced about right for the market segment. It reminds us of the AudioValve RKV, in a less-pleasant housing, though distinguished enough, that you'd consider it for your desk.

Cosmetically, it does not compete with the Fireflys by Woo Audio, nor does it include a necessary DA converter, however it does provide balanced output like the Bryston BHA-1, in a more alluring package.

There is something benignly arty about the Prautues, in our estimation. It reminds us of our beloved Quad 405, which is serving cosmetic duty as a power-bar stand, on one of our window-sills. It's the sort of art-object that you keep around, using it or not, by virtue of it's alluring appearance.

We are reminded of Predator in terms of composition. The six (6) tubes, resembling dread-locks and the three volume knobs resembling the triangulation-technology used in the movie. The four headphone sockets form something of a mouth on the unit. The little yellow one is cute. The two source-selector knobs form beady eyes.

Cosmetically, at the price point, we would like to see inset XLR connectors on the front panel, more FiiO Olympus style knobs, full tube covers, certainly, at least as an included option, to mimic the Sennheiser Orpheus would be ideal, and the back panel taken care of, in terms of appearance - a black finish on the rear panel would better match the inexpensive volume switch and IEC socket, at least, and we would like to see the excellent speaker terminals raised from the panel, to make the arrangement look more sturdy.