TONE 01, Personal Amplifier

In an age of invisible tech and infinite playlists, we set out to slow things down. This project was born from a desire to celebrate the ritual of listening, to make music tangible again. Inspired by the golden era of cassette decks and pocket players, we had the task to design a personal amplifier that delivers pristine sound and revives the romance of listening. The result? A device that honours retro design while embracing modern fidelity, built for audiophiles who don’t just listen, but feel every note.

About the Project

Client

TONE

Services

Product Design

Personal Amplifier

Challenge

This wasn't about chasing trends or shrinking circuitry. It was about emotional engineering, crafting a product that taps into memory, texture, and obsession. Our brief? Fuse the nostalgia of retro tech with the precision of contemporary acoustics. We needed to balance the tactile joy of physical controls with the refined performance expectations of today’s audiophile market. Every material, switch, and silhouette had to evoke that Walkman-era wonder, without compromising on audio quality or durability.

Outcome

This amplifier brings back the magic of listening, where every track feels like an experience, not just background noise. Inside, the ES9038Pro 32-bit DAC delivers stunning detail and depth, while a dedicated current-feedback amp ensures your headphones sing with warmth, clarity and punch.

With full MQA decoding, USB drive playback, and Bluetooth 5.1 streaming (including aptX HD and LDAC), it gives you the freedom to listen your way, without compromising fidelity.

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