For more than five decades, Billy F Gibbons, founder, frontman and guitarist for ZZ Top, has maintained a sound so iconic that musicians throughout the world have regularly tried to dissect and emulate it. Gibbons uses custom-made Magnatone amplifiers to lend more fierceness to his onstage sound giving voice to his range of notable guitars that include Pearly Gates, the legendary 1959 Les Paul Standard that’s been with him going back to the recording of ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971.
It’s a given that Billy Gibbons knows the transformative power of quality sound equipment which is why he’s recently been intrigued by and supportive of Streamline HIFi and its founder Steve Morris. He recently visited the Streamline facility in Truckee, CA where he spent time with Morris discussing Streamline’s product line – three console models with blues-themed names — Mojo, Rambler and Crossroads — that underscore the soulful design philosophy behind these units. Wanting something that offered richness, warmth and undeniable fullness in sound, he found Streamline fills the bill in no uncertain terms. Built on a dual-amp system that leverages both a Class A tube amp and a Class D amp, Streamline HiFi stereo consoles deliver the warmth and detail of a classic 1950s stereo along with the power and resonant bass of the modern era. Each console is hand-built in Truckee and outfitted with both turntable and Bluetooth capabilities.
During his stop in Truckee, Billy heard his own records and those of other artists played back on each of the three models and exclaimed, “Mercy! Listen to the detail with that!” He also acknowledged that part of Streamline’s appeal is visual. Each of the three models in built to spec and constructed in an eye-catching mid-century modern style, a reflection of founder Morris being not only an audio expert but also an experienced woodworker who prides himself on the use of quality materials and attention to detail. One of the innovations built into the units that are constructed entirely by hand is a small “peek window” that offers a look at the glowing vacuum tubes within while each is equipped with an automatic sensor that turns off the console’s LED lighting when the lid is closed. Morris uses California-gown English walnut or East Coast-sourced white oak to achieve multigenerational durability and one-of-a-kind looks with figured wood grain. Gibbons noted, “It’s fine furniture-meets-high end-audio. The speakers’ design maximizes the shape of the cabinetry, so nothing is lost in translation, so to speak.”
Steve Morris offers that he wasn’t just looking to create stereo consoles that audiophiles appreciate. He expressed a desire and vision to create pieces powerful enough to foster conversations, cut down on screen time and last for generations. “My goal is for these to be legacy pieces,” he emphatically states.
Gibbons added, “The three model that now presently exist deserve gracing living rooms nationwide. The magnetism of the sound behind these things just can’t be beat.” He’s now the proud owner of two Streamline HiFi consoles, one in his living room and the other in his recording studio and expressed deep satisfaction with the entire Streamline HiFi experience. “These fine rigs the real deal; the grooves are unlocked, and the repeat listening is absolutely deluxe.”
