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
- Tone color and instrumental timbre are portrayed with accuracy, offering a high level of expressiveness
- Dense voicing of complex harmonic structure and texture is reproduced
- Transparency rivals solid-state amplifiers, revealing detail and nuance
- Unconstrained transient fidelity is demonstrated—both subtlety in microdynamics and macro capabilities in weight and impact
- Exceptional low-frequency performance is delivered with control of pitch definition, weight, and attack
Product Considerations
- The integrated nature of the product makes it impossible to differentiate the individual contributions of the phono, line, and amplification stages
Takeaway: The Statement 450i iQ offers a musical voice by combining timbral accuracy, transparency, transient fidelity, and bass authority. It delivers magical valve sound with densely colored soundscapes and a visceral, three-dimensional stage.
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
Statement 450 iQ
reviews
[{"title":"Valve Amplification Company Statement 450i iQ Integrated Amplifier","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/valve-amplification-company-statement-450i-iq-integrated-amplifier","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2020"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
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3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Wattage: 450
- Gain: 39 dB, SE 33 dB, balanced
- Frequency Response: 4 Hz to 75 kHz
- Power Bandwidth: 20 Hz to 70 kHz
- Tubes: 8x KT88 5x 6SN7
- Residual Noise: Typically, 700 microvolts at the speaker terminals
- Dimensions (H x W x D): Audio chassis 9.75 x 17.8 x 18.25 in. (24.8 x 45.2 x 46.4 cm), Power supply 5.5 x 17.8 x 18.25 in. (14 x 45.2 x 46.4 cm)
- Shipping Weight: Audio chassis 130 lbs. (59.1 kg), Power supply 85 lbs. (38.6 kg)
Description
The Statement iQ power amplifier is the first in a series of VAC components featuring the new VAC iQ Intelligent Continuous Automatic Bias System (patented*). The VAC iQ System builds on the unprecedented performance of the original Statement Series and takes it to a whole new level with a set of critical enhancements.
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:
- VAC designs and manufactures its own bespoke transformers in the USA, winding them with stick-wound EI cores and encapsulating them in a special gel to dampen noise and vibration.
- The "iQ" Continuous Automatic Bias System, a patented technology, continuously monitors and adjusts the bias of the output tubes, optimizing performance and extending tube life without manual intervention.
- VAC Statement components are meticulously hand-wired with point-to-point connections and use silver turrets for junctions, minimizing signal path and maximizing RF rejection and signal purity.
- They employ a specific sequence of plating metals—aluminum, copper, nickel, and chrome—on Statement preamplifier and iQ power amplifier parts to create coactive circuits.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Essence 80iQ:
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a clear, detailed sound with Gold Lion KT88 beam power tubes and patented iQ Continuous Automatic Bias System. It provides 85 watts of power, which is less than the Signature 202iQ's 100 watts per channel. Its affordability makes it suitable for those with a limited budget who still desire high-quality sound.
Signature 202iQ:
- Positioning: Mid-range option, balancing performance and cost.
- Description: Features the iQ Continuous Automatic Bias System and delivers 100 watts per channel, making it more powerful than the Essence 80iQ. It operates in both stereo and mono modes, unlike the Essence 80iQ.
Master 300:
- Positioning: High-end line, designed for superior sound quality and flexibility.
- Description: Provides a fully balanced audio circuit and can be configured for 160 watts per channel stereo or 300+ watts mono, offering more flexibility than the Signature 202iQ.
Statement 450 iQ:
- Positioning: Premium line, focused on advanced technology and high performance.
- Description: Incorporates the iQ Intelligent Continuous Automatic Bias System and improved output transformers, providing 450 watts of power. It offers more headroom and a greater sense of space compared to the Master 300.
Statement 452 iQ:
- Positioning: Flagship model, offering the ultimate in audio performance and innovation.
- Description: Features a unique vertical architecture and lateral tube mounting, providing 450 watts mono or 225 watts per channel dual mono. It surpasses the Statement 450 iQ with its enhanced realism and flexibility.
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Avg. Product Price
$40,001-$75,000
Used For Sale
11
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
257
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
12
Founding Year
1990
Our take on the brand
VAC is a hifi brand known for its unique iQ Continuous Automatic Bias System, which maintains optimal tube performance and prevents drift during music playback. Their amplifiers feature point-to-point hand wiring and custom film and foil capacitors, with each unit undergoing extensive quality control including listening sessions before shipment.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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Used
VAC
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What if you spend more?
Audio Research
Reference 330M
90000
90000
/
2
Reviews
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.
Expand Details
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Product Strengths
- Fully balanced design, handcrafted in the USA
- Employs a sextet of KT170 valves, ECC83, and 6H30, with hand-selected and matched valves
- Features Audio Research's 'Auto-Bias' circuitry and an internal hour meter for monitoring valve usage
- Aesthetically elegant design with unique 'Ghost Meters' which are LED-illuminated and can be dimmed or switched off
- Capable of delivering high power at low frequencies, controlling and driving speakers like a big solid-state amplifier
Product Considerations
- High price point
- Requires a 20A IEC cable (supplied)
- The bass control and sheer bass output of the Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO (solid state) could not quite be matched by the Reference 330M
- The unit use a variable speed fan, although it was essentially silent during testing, this may still present a point of concern for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO: The Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO (solid state) has slightly better bass control and output
Takeaway: The Audio Research Reference 330M is an intelligently engineered and beautifully styled amplifier that embodies the meaning of 'Reference' in sound quality. Its powerful valve design delivers excellent performance and is sure to be a conversation piece in any high-end audio setup.
Video review
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.
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