Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Automatic biasing system makes tube replacement a simple plug-and-play operation.
- Allows the use of KT120, 6550, KT88, or KT90 output tubes, offering flexibility in tube selection.
- Offers a rich feature set that competes with almost anything on the market, and sound quality that compares favorably with anything heard.
- VT80SE output tubes have individual fuses to protect against catastrophic tube failure
- Has a 112dB signal-to-noise ratio, which is quieter than many solid-state amplifiers.
Product Considerations
- The tube-life meter is located on the rear panel, making it challenging to read.
- The tube timer can only show the time on either the output tubes or the low-level tubes, not both.
- The automatic turn-off feature can activate even with a low-level signal present, requiring it to be disabled if desired.
- Requires a 20-amp connector for the power cord, which may necessitate an adapter for those with 15-amp power cords.
- Fuses are located on the bottom of the circuit board near the tube they protect, and aren't externally accessible—requiring the bottom panel to be removed to replace a fuse.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- VT80SE has more harmonic richness compared to David Berning ZH-230, while the Berning is slightly more detailed.
- VT80SE has automatic bias circuit, while Audio Research Reference 75SE has manual bias adjustment.
- VT80SE has automatic bias circuit, while Audio Research VSi75 has manual bias setting readout.
Takeaway: The Audio Research VT80SE looks and sounds great, and is easy to use because of its automatic bias circuit. Its individually fused tubes protect it against tube failure, making it a worthwhile option.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
I/50 Integrated Amplifier
- Positioning: The entry-level integrated amplifier in the Audio Research lineup.
- Description: Offers a compact design with a powerful all-tube amplification circuit, making it ideal for small to medium-sized rooms. Features optional DAC and phono modules, providing flexibility for various audio sources, unlike the more specialized power amplifiers in the lineup.
VT80 SE Stereo Amplifier
- Positioning: A mid-range stereo amplifier, offering a balance between performance and affordability.
- Description: Uses KT150 tubes for a robust output, suitable for diverse speaker setups. Provides a fully balanced design, unlike the I/50, and is more powerful.
Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A premium stereo amplifier, designed for serious audiophiles.
- Description: With its dual GhostMeters and advanced auto-bias technology, provides superior soundstage and detail. Offers more power and flexibility than the 80S.
Reference 330M Monoblock Power Amplifier
- Positioning: The flagship monoblock amplifier, representing the pinnacle of Audio Research's engineering.
- Description: Combines groundbreaking technology with an all-tube signal path, offering unmatched control and dynamic range. Surpasses the 160M MKII in power and sophistication, making it the ultimate choice for those with no budget constraints and a desire for the best possible sound.
See all the brand's products
Read the reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
VT80 SE
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Manufacturer's notes
The VT80SE was created as a flexible, great-sounding amplifier that is easy to enjoy and easy to live with, every day. A direct descendant of our Reference amplifiers that borrows from their acclaimed designs and using many of their parts, the VT80SE sounds like a much larger amplifier with impressive dynamics, control, and resolution.
Manufacturer Specs
- Power Output: 75 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz
- Power Bandwidth (-3dB points): 7Hz to 60kHz
- Frequency Response (-3dB points at 1 watt): 0.7Hz to 80kHz
- Input Sensitivity: 1.4V RMS BAL for rated output
- Input Impedance: 300K ohms Balanced (150K ohms SE)
- Output Taps: 8 ohms, 4 ohms
- Output Regulation: Approximately 1.0dB
- Overall Negative Feedback: 15dB
- Slew Rate: 10 volts/microsecond
- Rise Time: 4.0 microseconds
- Channel Separation: 112dB
- Hum & Noise: –84dBV weighted, 8 ohms tap
- Signal to Noise: 112dB
- Ambient Air Temperature: 30° C (86° F) maximum
- Power Requirements: 100-125VAC 60Hz (200-250VAC 50Hz) 410 watts at rated output
- Tubes Required: 2 – Matched pair KT150 – Power Output; 2 – 6H30 Driver
- Dimensions: width: 19" (48.3 cm) height: 10.33" (26.2 cm) depth: 18.45" (46.8 cm)
- Weight: 45.7lbs. (20.7 kg) Net; 60.5 lbs. (27.4 kg)
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Average Price
$10,001-$20,000
Used Products
110
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
100
of 600+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
15
Founded
1970
Our take on the brand
Audio Research is a hifi brand that has stayed committed to tube technology while many competitors moved to solid-state designs. The brand is known for its use of KT150 power beam tetrodes and hybrid power supply designs that blend tube amplification with solid-state regulation.
Brand Page
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Used
Audio Research
What if you spend a bit more?
MC3500 Mk II
30000
30000
/
4
Reviews
McIntosh
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers 350 watts into 2-ohm, 4-ohm, or 8-ohm loads
- The design has a purity that is quite amazing
- Effortless power
- Soundstage is big
- Transparent
Product Considerations
- Not necessarily suitable for pairing with extremely cold sounding, sterile or bright speakers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- MC3500 is more open and airy, with base not as hard fisted, compared to Krell KSA 250
- It compares with brands like soulution, big Audio Research, and CH Precision, but at a lower cost
Takeaway: The MC3500 is an impressive amplifier that delivers a natural and pure sound, able to drive almost any speaker. If you're in the market for a McIntosh amp, this is the one that makes music sound pure, simple and unadulterated.
Video review
Our take on the brand
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Visit our
MC3500 Mk II
page
Product Page
Rex 3 Tube
25676
25676
/
1
Reviews
Balanced Audio Technology
Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) designs all their components with fully balanced circuits and dual-mono power supplies, which deliver better channel separation and cleaner sound reproduction. BAT's signature approach includes zero global feedback and their Unistage circuit design, which amplifies the signal only once through a short signal path to preserve the original audio characteristics.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- 'Dynamic', 'extended', and 'smooth, yet revealing' performance
- Makes everything sound more real, providing a deeper understanding of the music
- Brings the listener closer to the essence of the original performance
Product Considerations
- Might sound a bit 'tight' when brand new, out of the box
Takeaway: The REX 3 seems to be a high-quality product that offers a very real and engaging music listening experience. It could be worth buying if you want to get closer to the heart of the music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) designs all their components with fully balanced circuits and dual-mono power supplies, which deliver better channel separation and cleaner sound reproduction. BAT's signature approach includes zero global feedback and their Unistage circuit design, which amplifies the signal only once through a short signal path to preserve the original audio characteristics.
Visit our
Rex 3 Tube
page
Product Page
What else competes at this price?
TK Two 2A3/300BPSE-I
11899
/
Released
2021
Tektron
Tektron Italia handcrafts visually stunning tube amplifiers in Italy, using both vintage NOS and modern tubes to achieve exceptional audio performance. Their amplifiers are distinguished by their muscular dynamic ability and flexibility to use various power tubes (300B, 2A3, 45), creating an immersive soundstage that makes voices and instruments feel palpably present in the room.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- A variety of tubes can be used (45, 2A3, PX4, PX25, 300B, or 300B XLS) to produce different power outputs (1.5 to 22wpc)
- It can operate in single-ended (SE) or parallel single-ended (parallel SE) mode
- It is very adaptable—allowing for changes to input tubes and 5AR4 rectifiers to alter the amp's sound
- Built-in bias meters and pots allow for re-biasing when changing tubes
Product Considerations
- The right speaker load (high output impedance) is needed to perform optimally
- Single-ended amps shun negative feedback, which would lower their output resistance
- Speakers not well-suited for high output impedance amps may experience premature bass roll-off and a rising presence response
Takeaway: The TK2A3/300PSES-i Ref amplifier offers a lot of flexibility for tube rolling and sound customization. It is well-suited for high-efficiency speakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Tektron Italia handcrafts visually stunning tube amplifiers in Italy, using both vintage NOS and modern tubes to achieve exceptional audio performance. Their amplifiers are distinguished by their muscular dynamic ability and flexibility to use various power tubes (300B, 2A3, 45), creating an immersive soundstage that makes voices and instruments feel palpably present in the room.
Visit
TK Two 2A3/300BPSE-I
Page
Product Page
SE-300B
10581
/
Released
2023
Thöress
The SE300B Mono Amplifier is an all-tube power amplifier employing the famous classic 300B filamentary triode in single-ended operation mode for an output of up to 10 watts into a 4, 8 or 16 ohm loudspeaker load.
Thöress is a hifi brand known for its unique EHT Topology, which combines single-ended triode tubes with MOSFET output stages in Class-A mode, setting it apart from typical tube amplifiers through its transparency rather than warmth. The brand's products feature a distinctive vintage laboratory aesthetic with German labeling, and include the Phono Enhancer, which lets users adjust equalization curves on-the-fly without conventional tone controls.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Pure sound, free of coloration while retaining musical detail, allows a graceful and effortless listening experience
- Natural and tangible sound due to accurate reproduction of details, creates a believable presentation
- Solid and controlled bass performance, unusual for a 300B single-ended triode amplifier
- Excellent sense of touch and tactile sound, making instruments like plucked strings and bowed violins sound very convincing
- Wide and deep soundstage with good 'air', providing a transparent and 'hear-through' sound, especially with complex music
Product Considerations
- Careful matching with partnering equipment is required, especially speakers with high efficiency
- Relatively low overall gain requires a source with a high output voltage
- Output transformer links need to be correctly set for speaker impedance, requiring dealer assistance
- Some reviewers found the top end sounding a bit rolled off before use of appropriate high efficiency speakers and source gain settings
- Changing the EL803S driver valves requires carefully matched pairs supplied by Thöress
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Shindo Haut-Brion/Corton-Charlemagne, Thöress has more treble extension and transparency, Shindo has better upper-bass/lower-midrange substance and body—and more drive
Takeaway: The Thöress SE-300B offers a supremely musical and detailed listening experience with a focus on accuracy and sonic purity. When paired with the right speakers, this amplifier could be an excellent choice to bring out the best in music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Thöress is a hifi brand known for its unique EHT Topology, which combines single-ended triode tubes with MOSFET output stages in Class-A mode, setting it apart from typical tube amplifiers through its transparency rather than warmth. The brand's products feature a distinctive vintage laboratory aesthetic with German labeling, and include the Phono Enhancer, which lets users adjust equalization curves on-the-fly without conventional tone controls.
Visit
SE-300B
Page
Product Page
Audio Lybra 300B
10306
/
Released
2023
Fezz
One of the finest parallel single ended 300B tube amplifier made by Fezz Audio. It provides openness and spatial sound. Powerful, sublime, very involving and uniqe to itself.
Fezz Audio distinguishes itself by being the first to implement toroidal output transformers in single-ended tube amplifiers, a design choice that enhances efficiency and reduces noise. Their Evolution series, developed in collaboration with the KABO & PYDO design studio, has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Red Dot Design Award.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers an incredibly rich, flavorful midrange and a sweet, relaxed treble
- Has a more sophisticated presentation than the utilitarian bent-metal chassis sported by most integrated tube amps on the market, and the smooth lines of the chassis help the amp stand out from the crowd
- Has a clever tube cage design with a clear Plexiglass front panel that delivers an unobstructed view of the tubes and is easy to install and remove
- Is seriously quiet, and there was effectively zero noise through any of the speakers
Product Considerations
- Can sound wildly different, depending on the impedance of the speakers
- The four slightly squishy feet underneath the amp may cause stains
- The power switch is on the rear of the chassis, which may be problematic if installing the amp in a cabinet with limited access
- Needs a good 20 minutes to warm up, and on initial startup, the amp sounded a bit thin, bright, and constipated, but after one album, it opened right up
- Limited power output (15Wpc) may not be sufficient for all speakers or listening preferences, especially when wanting to play music very loud
Takeaway: The Fezz Audio Lybra 300B is a well-designed tube amplifier that delivers a rich and flavorful sound. It can bring out the best in your speakers, offering clarity and great sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fezz Audio distinguishes itself by being the first to implement toroidal output transformers in single-ended tube amplifiers, a design choice that enhances efficiency and reduces noise. Their Evolution series, developed in collaboration with the KABO & PYDO design studio, has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Red Dot Design Award.
Visit
Audio Lybra 300B
Page
Product Page
MC2301
13500
/
Released
McIntosh
From the demands of massed chorale to full-on rock and roll, the MC2301 delivers the most extraordinarily lifelike and dynamic performance ever heard from a McIntosh tube amplifier. With an output of 300 Watts, it provides enough high power to drive even the most demanding loudspeaker.
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Fast response, with detail, and a warm tube sound
- Picks up detail with speed when playing Hi-Res digital content
Product Considerations
- Lacks sound stage depth/width, power, and feel compared to the reference system (vintage MC275 amplifiers)
- Super tweeters seemed to be sleeping—as if there was no data provided at that frequency
- Lacks a big window of performance, energy, and feel, providing a smaller window of performance albeit nice with a tube-like sound
- Bass with the MC2301s was starving when compared to the 275's
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs vintage 1960s MC275: MC2301 lacks sound stage depth/width, power, and feel, a full rich lush enveloping sound, and energy that stirs emotion
- Vs later generations of the MC275: MC2301 would be superior
Takeaway: If you don't have access to vintage MC275s, the MC2301 could be a good option, providing a tube-like sound with detail and speed. McIntosh should look back and reconsider past designs.
Video review
Our take on the brand
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Visit
MC2301
Page
Product Page
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Automatic biasing system makes tube replacement a simple plug-and-play operation.
- Allows the use of KT120, 6550, KT88, or KT90 output tubes, offering flexibility in tube selection.
- Offers a rich feature set that competes with almost anything on the market, and sound quality that compares favorably with anything heard.
- VT80SE output tubes have individual fuses to protect against catastrophic tube failure
- Has a 112dB signal-to-noise ratio, which is quieter than many solid-state amplifiers.
Product Considerations
- The tube-life meter is located on the rear panel, making it challenging to read.
- The tube timer can only show the time on either the output tubes or the low-level tubes, not both.
- The automatic turn-off feature can activate even with a low-level signal present, requiring it to be disabled if desired.
- Requires a 20-amp connector for the power cord, which may necessitate an adapter for those with 15-amp power cords.
- Fuses are located on the bottom of the circuit board near the tube they protect, and aren't externally accessible—requiring the bottom panel to be removed to replace a fuse.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- VT80SE has more harmonic richness compared to David Berning ZH-230, while the Berning is slightly more detailed.
- VT80SE has automatic bias circuit, while Audio Research Reference 75SE has manual bias adjustment.
- VT80SE has automatic bias circuit, while Audio Research VSi75 has manual bias setting readout.
Takeaway: The Audio Research VT80SE looks and sounds great, and is easy to use because of its automatic bias circuit. Its individually fused tubes protect it against tube failure, making it a worthwhile option.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
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