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
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Pure triode power with its 6C33C-B tubes
- 'Intelligent auto-bias circuit' removes the need to manually set tube bias, therefore is easy to live with
- Fully balanced design contributes to improved signal integrity, reduced noise, and enhanced channel separation
- Capable of driving even difficult low-impedance loads
- Build quality and aesthetics are highlighted as 'stunning', 'handsome muscular looking beast with its thick brushed aluminum multi-level chassis'
Product Considerations
- Best kept out of reach of young children, as it has exposed valves
- The tubes run very hot, so it demands breathing space
- BAT recommends that output tubes only be purchased from the factory
- Tube replacement can be expensive, and BAT charges a significant amount per tube
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to a transistor amp, the VK-80i provided warmer vocals, a more fluid bass line, and more emotion
- Compared to the Line Magnetic LM-845IA, the VK-80i sounds less obviously 'tubey' and more neutral
- Compared to a Krell KST-100 solid-state amp, the VK80i's bass range lacked the visceral impact, though it excelled when compared to other tube amps
Takeaway: The VK-80i is a well-built, easy-to-use tube amplifier that delivers a balanced and refined sound with plenty of power. Its intelligent design and protection features make it a great choice for those who want the tube sound without the usual maintenance hassles.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
VK-80i
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
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Output per channel at 8Ω: 55W
- Frequency response: 8Hz to 200kHz
- Input impedance: 215 kΩ
- Tube complement: 4x6SN7, 4x6C33C-B
- Power Consumption: 400W idle, 800W full power
- Remote included: Yes – all metal
- Signal inputs: 1 XLR, 3 RCAs
- Volume control: Resistive ladder, 90 steps, 1dB per step
- Dimensions: 17" W x 8" H x 16" D
- Weight: 45lb
Description
Delivering 55 watts per channel, VK-80i uses four 6C33C-B triode output tubes for power delivery. They offer many times the current delivery of the 6550/KT90 tetrode tube variant used in most traditional tube integrated amplifiers. In addition to driving even difficult low-impedance speaker loads, the all-triode fully balanced design provides a natural portrayal of harmonic texture and instrumental timbre.
Delivering 55 watts per channel, VK-80i uses four 6C33C-B triode output tubes for power delivery. They offer many times the current delivery of the 6550/KT90 tetrode tube variant used in most traditional tube integrated amplifiers. In addition to driving even difficult low-impedance speaker loads, the all-triode fully balanced design provides a natural portrayal of harmonic texture and instrumental timbre. Your recordings will sound more alive while simultaneously yielding greater finesse, grace, and inner detail.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Balanced designs are central to their philosophy; the brand designs their preamplifiers, amplifiers, and DACs around balanced circuits to minimize noise and maximize signal integrity.
- They commonly employ Russian 6C33C-B tubes, which were originally designed for military applications in MIG fighter jets, in their amplifier designs. The brand is known for using them in unique ways to achieve a powerful and controlled sound.
- Employs a "fuseless" design in many of their products, utilizing electronic protection circuits instead of fuses to protect their components from damage.
- Has a tradition of hybrid amplifier designs, combining tube preamplifier sections with solid-state output stages, aiming to blend the warmth and musicality of tubes with the power and control of solid-state amplification.
Select products
Select product comparisons
VK-80i Integrated Amplifier
- Positioning: A compact integrated tube amplifier offering modest power for those seeking authentic tube character.
- Description: Features an intelligent auto-bias design with a fully balanced tube output that delivers natural tonal balance in a simple package. In comparison to the later VK-3500 model and the dedicated power amplifiers in the REX series, its lower wattage and streamlined functionality make it best suited for small rooms and tighter budgets without sacrificing tube warmth.
REX 3 Tube Amplifier
- Positioning: A tube power amplifier focused on delivering natural tube tonality with a distinctive all-triode design.
- Description: Uses auto-biasing and a fuse-less protection circuit to simplify operation while preserving the inherent musical texture of tube amplification. Compared to the solid-state REX 300 and the hybrid integrated VK-80i, its unique tube architecture caters to users prioritizing sonic intimacy and a classic tube sound.
REX 300 Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A mid-tier solid-state power amplifier built for clarity and robust current delivery using refined power supply technology.
- Description: Incorporates a fourth-generation SuperPak Quattro capacitor bank and a simple two-stage gain design that ensure high transparency and dynamic control. When compared to the more specialized REX 3 tube amp and the flagship REX 500, it offers a balanced option for users needing strong performance.
VK-3500 Integrated Amplifier
- Positioning: A high-end integrated amplifier that merges a solid-state power section with a tube-based preamplifier for enhanced musicality.
- Description: Features a SuperTube preamp paired with a symmetrical bipolar power design and built-in MM/MC phono support to provide versatile functionality and rich tonal detail. In contrast to the simpler VK-80i and the focused REX power amplifiers, its advanced circuitry and integrated design serve users requiring additional features, higher power output, and greater overall versatility.
REX 500 Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A flagship solid-state power amplifier engineered to deliver exceptional power, clarity, and performance through advanced design techniques.
- Description: Employs a dual-mono architecture with a two-stage signal path and the largest SuperPak capacitor bank in BAT history for superior soundstaging and dynamic precision. Compared to the REX 300 and the REX 3, its robust output, intelligent upgrade path, and state-of-the-art engineering make it the ultimate choice for discerning users with larger spaces and a demand for uncompromising performance.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
53
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
125
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
14
Founding Year
1995
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.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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Balanced Audio Technology
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What if you spend more?
Tektron
TK Two 2A3/300BPSE-I
11899
11899
/
2
Reviews
Features Matched tubes: 2A3 x 2/4 (OR 45 x 2/4, OR 50 x 2/4, OR 300B x 2/4) – 6SN7 x 2 – 5V4 x 2 – 6X5 x 1 Inputs: 3 line inputs Signal input: 400 mV for max power Outputs: 1.6W / Channel with one 45 — 3.6W / Channel with two 45 3.5W / Channel with one 2A3 — 7W/ Channel with two 2A3 5W / Channel with one 50 — 10W with two 50 7W / Channel with one 300B — 14W / Channel with two 300B 9W with one 300B XLS / Channel — 18W / Channel with two 300B XLS Outputs impedance: 4 – 8 ohm (other impedance available upon request) Frequency range: 15 – 35.000 Hz Power Supply: 100/115/230/240 VAC – 50/60Hz. Other voltage are available upon request
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.
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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.
Product Page
Product Page
Thöress
SE-300B
10581
10581
/
3
Reviews
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. The 300B power tube is excited by an extraordinary single-stage driver employing two CV2382/EL822 power pentodes operated in triode mode with high idle current and works into a C-core output transformer built in-house to the highest possible standards so as to ensure ultimate performance. The amplifier is built with meticulous hand construction using our proven point-to-point wiring techniques whereas much care has been taken in arranging each aspect of the internal construction to ensure low noise performance, ease of service and the highest reliability for many years to come.
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.
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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.
Product Page
Product Page
Fezz
Audio Lybra 300B
10306
10306
/
2
Reviews
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 Lybra gives you the best sounding experience you can get from the 300B tubes.
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.
Product Page
Product Page
McIntosh
MC2301
13500
13500
/
1
Reviews
The MC2301 is the first McIntosh vacuum tube amplifier to use our Quad Balanced design. This design cancels virtually all noise and distortion in the audio signal. As a result, even when amplified to high levels the signal is effectively free of any distortion. Our fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit Sentry Monitor™ disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically. Inputs for balanced and unbalanced cables are available to provide flexibility in connecting the rest of your audio system.
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.
Product Page
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What competes at this price?
Lab 12
Integre4 MK2
6490
/
Released
2024
The best just got even better… The newly upgraded integre4 MK2-Toroid Version increases the limits of this already exceptional amplifier even further. True Dual Mono design with two separate high current, low-noise, heavy toroidal transformers and fully upgraded dual power supply stages, taking full advantage of the powerful KT-150 power tubes and lower the noise floor to an unbelievable level for a tube-based integrated amplifier.
Lab12 is a hifi brand known for their unique use of older Philips TDA1543 multi-bit chips in their DACs, which they implement in a distinctive way despite these chips typically being found in lower-cost devices. Their amplifiers and phono preamps feature Separate Rails, Separate Grounds technology and Fine Symmetry Design for enhanced channel separation, while offering extensive tube-rolling options for users who want to customize their sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sixty-five watts per channel provide plenty of power to drive many speakers
- Different output tubes can be used, such as EL-34s, KT-88s, 6550s, and KT-120s, as long as they are biased
- A built-in, high-quality current metering system allows for instant selectable anode current for biasing, making it a tube roller's dream
- The headphone amplifier uses the power amp's output stage instead of op-amps, making it smooth, detailed, and exhilarating
- Sounds warm and a little tubey, providing a musical and satisfying experience
Product Considerations
- Has five inputs, all unbalanced RCAs, with no inboard phono and no internal DAC
- No XLR compatibility
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Allnic Audio T-2000 integrated amplifier had a quartet of KT-170s, and it was one of the reviewer's three favorite integrated amplifiers of all time
- The sound with the EL-34s was more linear but somehow less interesting—less three-dimensional—when compared to the KT-150s
Takeaway: The Lab12 Integre4 is a well-made integrated amplifier that delivers a warm, huge, and detailed sound, making listening sessions memorable. With enough power to drive most speakers, it's a great way to attain joy and happiness at the same level as more expensive gear.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Lab12 is a hifi brand known for their unique use of older Philips TDA1543 multi-bit chips in their DACs, which they implement in a distinctive way despite these chips typically being found in lower-cost devices. Their amplifiers and phono preamps feature Separate Rails, Separate Grounds technology and Fine Symmetry Design for enhanced channel separation, while offering extensive tube-rolling options for users who want to customize their sound.
Product Page
Product Page
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EAR Yoshino
EAR 534
5756
/
Released
A Push-pull power amplifier with 50 watts per channel stereo utilising eight EL34 (four per channel) into 4, 8 and 16 ohms. Self-biasing operations with balanced or unbalanced inputs.
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- More musically convincing, more detailed, more harmonious, more linear, and more transparent than any other similar EL34 design at any price.
- Piano music is most perfect and quick, with purity of tone and tambour with proper richness and speed.
- Silent with totally black backgrounds, micro and macro dynamics are unrestricted and natural.
- Reveals its glory quickly due to its transparency.
- Excellent fit and finish and it worked right out of the box.
Product Considerations
- Thick or lean sounding cables will make the 534 sound thick or lean, and it needs top-quality isolation and support.
- The reviewer recommends buying the 534 new as they haven't auditioned the original from the beginning of the century.
- The only major flaw is that it doesn't have 500 watts per channel, but a custom one can be ordered for a very high price.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs E.A.R. 890: The 890 is more robust and powerful, but not more convincing if your speakers don't need the power.
- Vs Cary Audio Custom 300B: The 534 is vastly superior.
Takeaway: The E.A.R. 534 is a musically convincing and transparent amplifier that reveals nuances in music. It is easy to place, beautiful to look at, and can make vocals and piano sound exquisite.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
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