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.
All
45 Single Ended
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Output Power: 2 Watts per channel
- Input Sensitivity: 1.2V
- Input Impedance: 600 Ohm
- Inputs: SE (RCA) and BAL (XLR)
- Configuration: 4 chassis (mono blocks with external power supplies)
- Driver Tube: 45 directly heated driver tube
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:
- VinylSavor specializes in creating fully customized, hand-wired audio amplifiers and preamplifiers, built to order according to individual customer specs.
- The brand is known for its use of directly heated triodes and silver-wound transformers in the signal path, aiming for a capacitor-less design and optimized signal transfer.
- They offer extensive tube rolling options within their designs, often supporting a wide range of tube types and offering a generous warranty on tubes supplied by them.
Select products
300B Integrated Stereo Power Amplifier
- Positioning: The entry-level integrated amplifier offering basic stereo power in a compact design.
- Description: Comes with 5W per channel, headphone and speaker outputs, and multiple inputs, making it ideal for small rooms and those on a budget. Compared with higher models that feature interstage transformer coupling or dual chassis designs, it provides straightforward functionality without additional circuitry complexity.
300B Single Ended Stereo Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A mid-tier stereo amplifier designed to deliver slightly higher power and improved sonic clarity.
- Description: Offers 8W per channel with interstage transformer coupling and a 6SN7 driver tube, making it better suited for users needing more performance than the integrated version. Compared to the entry-level model's simplicity, its design brings enhanced power handling and sound reproduction without resorting to separate mono chassis modules.
300B Single Ended Mono Power Amplifiers (2 chassis)
- Positioning: A pair of mono amplifiers in a dual chassis setup aimed at providing focused, balanced sound.
- Description: Delivers 8W per channel using interstage transformer coupling and the 801A directly heated driver tube. Relative to the stereo units, their dual chassis design offers improved channel separation while keeping costs lower than more complex assemblies.
300B Single Ended Mono Power Amplifiers (4 chassis)
- Positioning: A refined pair of mono amplifiers featuring a four chassis design with external power supplies for enhanced stability.
- Description: Provides 8W per channel with the same high-quality tube and transformer coupling but adds improved thermal management for greater reliability in larger or critical listening settings. When compared with the 2 chassis model, the extra chassis and external supplies deliver better performance consistency.
300B Single Ended Mono Power Amplifiers - Silver
- Positioning: The flagship mono amplifier pair engineered with silver wound transformers for premium performance.
- Description: Uses silver wound transformer technology to reduce distortion and achieve tighter sound control. Compared to all other models in the lineup, its enhanced build quality and precise transformer design set it apart as the top choice.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Fully transformer coupled designs. The use of directly heated triodes not only as output tube but also as drive rand preamp tube. 600 Ohm LCR RIAA EQ in phono stages. Custom triodes for the Intrepid series (Thomas Mayer ONE, TWO and THREE). Possibility to customise each product to specific needs.
What's your approach to customer support?
I sell directly to end customers. I used to have very few resellers but due to the steep increase of production and material costs I exclusive do direct sales now to avoid price increases of the products which would otherwise be necessary. My goal is that every customer is happy and I am always available for any questions even years after the sale. When necessary I do repairs or assist in set up at the customer site.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
I don’t have any favourite tracks, but use whatever I am in the mood for. Equipment should not be designed to work with specific music. People should use music they like for testing
What other products pair best with yours?
Admire Audio speakers.
Used
VinylSavor
What if you spend more?
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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
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