A new example of the effort made in recent years by the legendary American firm Audio Research to create tube amplifiers that not only redefine what is possible to achieve in the field of musical reproduction, but also do so from an aesthetic incredibly beautiful. Externally, the Reference 80S shares the same dimensions as the exquisite Reference 160M mono block. Regarding the technical specifications, they are the same as those of the aforementioned Reference 160S, including among these an exclusive automatic polarization circuit that indicates the age of the valves and, in addition, the fluctuations of the supply voltage. In addition, the user can select between Triode and Pentode operating modes (with output power of 2x70 W RMS and 2x33 W RMS respectively) to accommodate listening to their loudspeakers and personal preferences. Like the Reference range amplifiers that come before it, the Reference 80S uses a fully balanced differential topology because, according to Audio Research, it provides you with the highest performance (including a frequency response curve suitable for the demanding demands of the best digital “Hi-Res”) and the least possible distortion. All in all, a truly unique and extraordinarily musical electronics complete with an all-manual build in Maple Grove, Minnesota (USA).

Technical characteristics:

• Absolute reference tube stereophonic power amplifier.

• Equipped with 4 KT150 outlet valves and 2 6H30 attack valves.

• Front panel GhostMeter “floating” analog level meter.

• Automatic polarization circuit of the outlet valves.

• Possibility of selecting between Triode and Pentode operating modes.

• Variable speed cooling fan.

• 2x70 W RMS output in Pentode mode and 2x33 W RMS in Triode mode.

• Frequency response of 0'7-94,000 Hz (cut-off points at -3 dB).

• Global negative feedback rate of 15 dB.

• Rise time of 24 microseconds.

• “Slew Rate” of 10 V / us.

• Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs.

• RS-232 input and socket for 12V trigger signal.

• Dimensions: 470x260x470 mm (W x H x D).

• Net weight: 28'2 kg.