Reference 80S Power Amplifier

Reference 80S Power Amplifier

$33,995

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The Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier delivers 70 watts of continuous, detailed, and dynamic sound. With its signature vacuum-tube design and dual GhostMeters®, it combines beauty with high-end performance. For an immersive listening experience, visit the Len Wallis Audio showroom for a personalized demonstration of the Reference 80S Power Amplifier.

**Black model is special order.**

Local pickup or $11 flat rate shipping within Australia

The Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier is a stunning embodiment of Audio Research’s long-standing tradition of engineering world-class vacuum-tube amplifiers. Designed with music lovers in mind, the Reference 80S delivers 70 watts of continuous power from 20Hz to 20kHz, offering a dynamic, detailed, and immersive listening experience. Built on the foundation of Audio Research’s celebrated Reference 160S and 160M models, the 80S is perfect for audiophiles who don’t require the higher power output of its larger siblings but still demand uncompromising sound quality.

The Reference 80S Power Amplifier shares the same dimensions as the Reference 160M, featuring a sleek design with dual GhostMeters® floating in front of the four KT150 output tubes. The amplifier is housed in a rigid all-aluminum chassis with extruded panels, ensuring that both form and function are seamlessly combined. It also includes a whisper fan built into the bottom plate for quiet operation, allowing the amplifier to maintain optimal performance during extended listening sessions.

One of the key features of the 80S is its auto-bias circuit, which automatically adjusts for tube age and powerline voltage variations, ensuring peak performance at all times. In addition to the auto-bias circuit, the 80S is equipped with XLR and SE inputs, output taps for 4, 8, and 16 ohms, and a 12V trigger for on/off functionality when paired with compatible devices. The amplifier also allows for switchable Triode-Pentode operation, letting users tailor the sound to match their speakers and personal preferences.

As with all of Audio Research’s Reference amplifiers, the 80S is a fully-balanced differential design. This results in the highest performance with the lowest possible distortion. A four-layer circuit board ensures a clean layout and reduces noise-inducing connections, allowing music to project against a jet-black background. This makes the listening experience feel as though you are sitting in the concert hall, free from any distractions.

Hand-built in Audio Research’s Maple Grove, Minnesota facility, the Reference 80S Power Amplifier is a product of meticulous craftsmanship and precision engineering. Its powerful performance brings music to life, allowing listeners to experience even the finest details, rich harmonics, and dynamic contrasts that are often lost with lesser equipment. Whether you’re playing classical symphonies or modern rock, the 80S delivers the full range of sound with effortless clarity and accuracy.

At Len Wallis Audio, we invite you to experience the Reference 80S firsthand. Due to its premium nature and pricing (over $20,000), this product is not available for online purchase, but we highly encourage you to visit our showroom for a personalized demonstration. Our experts will guide you through the amplifier’s features and help you understand how it can elevate your entire audio setup. Whether you’re pairing it with Wilson, Magnepan, Focal, or Sonus faber speakers, the 80S will take your system’s performance to a whole new level.

Experience the Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier at Len Wallis Audio and discover the magic of high-end audio reproduction.

Specifications

Specification Details
Power Output 70 watts continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz THD typically 1% at 140 watts (33 watts in Triode mode) per channel, below 0.04% at 1 watt.
Power Bandwidth (-3dB points) 7Hz to 68kHz
Frequency Response (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.7Hz to 94kHz
Input Sensitivity 1.4V RMS Balanced for rated output (25.5 dB gain into 8 ohms); 0.7V RMS SE for rated output
Input Impedance 300K ohms Balanced, 75K ohms Single Ended
Output Taps 16 ohms, 8 ohms, 4 ohms
Output Polarity Non-inverting (Balanced input pin 2+)
Power Requirements 105-130VAC 60Hz (210-250VAC 50Hz) 420 watts at rated output; 280 watts in Triode mode; 221 watts at idle; 3.6 watts off
Tubes Required 2 matched pair KT150 (Power output V1-V4); 2 6H30 (Gain stage V5, V6)
Dimensions Width: 18.5” (47 cm) chassis; 19.0” (48.26 cm) faceplate. Height: 10.5” (26 cm); Depth: 18.5” (47 cm); With handles & connectors: 21” (53.3 cm)
Weight 62 lbs. (28.2 kg) Net; 73 lbs. (32.7 kg) Shipping

At Len Wallis Audio, we believe that the Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier is the perfect choice for audiophiles seeking unparalleled performance and craftsmanship. Schedule a showroom demonstration today and let our expert team help you experience the full capabilities of this extraordinary amplifier.

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At Len Wallis Audio, whether you’re purchasing in store, over the phone or online through our ecommerce store, we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.

Our Refund, Return and Repairs Policy is here to clarify any concerns or questions you might have prior to you making a purchase from us. This way you can be sure of our policy on refunds, returns and repairs and your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

We also recommend you immediately inspect any goods that you receive from us to ensure you are completely satisfied with the goods, including that the goods are of acceptable quality, and match the description we have provided to you.

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Refer to our page for more information.

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If any goods cannot be easily returned to us due to their size, the fault or because they have been affixed or installed in your premises, please contact us and we will arrange an inspection to assess the goods.

Goods returned for repair will be assessed and/or repaired within a reasonable time. You may be provided with an indicative repair time, which time may vary due to reasons beyond ours or the repairer’s reasonable control, such as part availability and incorrect fault description.

You may be required to pay labour, assessment and/or freight fees, such as where goods are assessed to have been damaged by misuse or accident, or where your rights under the Australian Consumer Law or any manufacturer’s warranty do not apply. We may provide you with an indicative fee, which may vary due to reasons beyond our control.

If any goods that you return are capable of retaining user generated data such as files stored on a hard drive, and songs stored on a portable media player, the replacement or repair of the goods may result in loss of the data. In these circumstances, we recommend you back up data to prevent data loss, and remove sensitive or confidential data, as a party assessing and/or repairing your goods may be required to view data in the course of carrying out the assessment. We will not be responsible for any data loss.

In some circumstances, goods presented for repair may be replaced by refurbished goods of the same type rather than being repaired. Refurbished parts may be used to repair the goods.

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Where you have any questions or concerns relating to your Order, please immediately contact us

We understand that sometimes you may simply change your mind about a purchase or have made a wrong selection. In these situations, you have 14 days in which to return your item for a refund, exchange or store credit. If more than 14 days has passed since your purchase we can’t offer you a refund, exchange or store credit.

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Please note that current Australian Consumer Law does not require us to offer a ‘Change of Mind’ refund. Rather Len Wallis Audio offers 14 day ‘Change of Mind Policy’ in good faith. For more information on consumer rights and guarantees, please visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission web site.

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