Antique Sound Labs

Still have 4 ASL Hurricanes...

A very well-respected amp. I don't think there is anything in them that can't be repaired with basic electronic parts, but I could be wrong. 

I remember when I first got into higher quality audio with headphones, in the early 2000s, their MG Head tube headphone amp was quite popular - but that fizzled quickly as the headphone amp market rapidly developed. Then I remember seeing their Hurricane amps over the years - impressive looking. Haven’t heard much discussion about them lately. I’m also curious what happened.

Thanks for all your responses.  It looks like ASL no longer exists, and Joseph Lau remains unfound.  I did find this brief history at this equipment review from 2007:

Twenty years ago, Antique Sound Laboratory and its affordable tube amps probably couldn’t have existed. Founded in Hong Kong by Joseph Lau, the company is a United Nations of electronics, employing Chinese manufacturing, Russian parts (in the form of EL34 tubes), and North American distribution through Canada’s Divergent Technologies. Prior to the partnership with Divergent, Lau offered tube-based amplifier kits, specifically low-watt single-ended-triode (SET) power amplifiers. However, Lau had limited reach in the marketplace, and his distributors were hesitant to support his plans for more ambitious design and production.

About that time, Tash Goka of Divergent Technologies had received rave reviews for his high-efficiency Reference 3A loudspeaker, specifically for how beautifully it responded to SET amps. Unfortunately, most SET amps were expensive, and Goka was looking for a low-cost alternative that would mate well with the 3A. After he’d talked with Lau and tested his designs, the two agreed to combine Divergent’s expertise in speaker design with Antique Sound Lab’s fine workmanship and ability, to jointly produce affordable electronics that would make musically sophisticated tube systems available to a wider range of buyers. To further its goal of attaining audiophile levels of performance in its products, Antique Sound Lab makes its own transformers, and operates its own metal shop, powder-coating paint facility, and tube-electronics assembly and testing group.

I had the ASL MG15siDT, regretted selling it.  Very nice unit.

Joseph Lau is not “unfound”. I trade email with him from time to time and have purchased audio accessories from him at good prices. He is a joy-and a wealth of practical experience and knowledge.