MI Audio: Flex Smartamp

Come 2013, MI Audio will have this amp as their flagship release; it's a hybrid digi-tube amp.

The amp face you see there is actually a touch screen which functions like the controls of an ordinary amp (duh!) except there's no turning of knobs, all touch & tap. This is the digital section of the amp, it also allows the user to custom set/ pick their amps of choice, coming up with their own unique concoction along the way. I think we're familiar with this nature of amp voicing if we subscribe to iOS technology. 

However, the manufacturer reminds users that the Flex is an 'all-analog path' tube amp leaving only the controls being triggered by digital responses. The dichotomy all along had been the digital technology interference with the traditional tube amp voicings, tampering it in such a way that the output becomes a very calculated response lacking in dynamics & real-time chemistry. 

OK, let 2013 come & we'd see if this freshie is up to the mark, no use being bought in by the sales pitch.