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Offered is „Melto 1 Röhren Phonovorverstärker“ by LAB12 from the category „Phono Amplifier“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 6742987714 ends on 26.11.2026 at 09:23 o'clock.
Compared with the obvious alternative at this price point — a generic entry-level MM/MC stage — this is a strong buy if you want a proper tube phono preamp rather than a stopgap. At €1,275, it sits just under the 25th percentile of recent comparable EUR listings (€1,275), well below the median (€1,286), so the price reads as fair-to-good rather than ambitious.
What makes it appealing is the Melto 1’s reputation for a big, polished presentation with useful MM/MC flexibility and extensive loading adjustment, which makes it easy to match with a serious cartridge setup. Lab 12’s five-year warranty on the model and the clean “good” condition are both encouraging, and at this level of pricing the real upside is getting a well-regarded tube stage without paying new-retail money.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Lab 12 is a Greek hi-fi brand founded in 2012 by Stratos Vichos in Athens, with a clear identity built around handmade tube electronics. The company was established to make valve gear feel more usable and less precious than the old stereotype of temperamental, obscure tube audio.
Its core product focus is tube amplification: integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, preamps, phono stages, and DACs. Available coverage and dealer listings point to a catalogue centered on models like the Integre4, Mighty, and DAC1 Reference, which reinforces that Lab 12 is primarily an electronics brand rather than one spanning speakers, turntables, headphones, or cables.
In the market, Lab 12 sits in the high-end niche boutique segment. It is known for artisanal construction, valve-based designs, and a slightly adventurous engineering identity that appeals to experienced listeners who want something distinctive rather than mainstream. It is not a mass-market brand, and its reputation is strongest among enthusiasts looking for serious, characterful tube hi-fi with a European boutique pedigree.
See all Lab 12 listings on RADAR.
