This is the latest design effort from the legendary US company Audio Research in uncompromising amplification: 100% tube electronics that not only redefines music reproduction, but does so in the form of an incredibly beautiful product. Thus, it shares the same dimensions as the renowned Reference 160S, incorporating two ultra-quiet, very shallow, speed-selectable fans on its bottom plate.
In terms of engineering, the first thing to note about this "out-of-parameter" electronics with 330 watts continuous output into 4/8 ohms is that it uses a brand new, fully balanced differential circuit topology, combining the topologies of legendary Reference amplifiers of the past, such as vacuum valve regulation in the power supply, with highly innovative circuitry improvements.
In line with the ethos of Audio Research, the audio circuitry of the Reference 330M is entirely tube-based, from the ECC83 and 6H30 in the input section to the 6H30 and 6550 in the power supply and the brand new KT170s in the output stage, which, driven by the latest generation of Silicon Carbide-based JFT transistors, have allowed for increased plate voltage headroom, maximum cathode current and plate dissipation. In a properly implemented configuration, the KT170 delivers sonic performance that is not only superior but simply unmatched.
Features:
- Absolute reference monophonic tube power amplifier.
- Equipped with 6 KT170 output valves driven by JFET transistors.
- Equipped with 2 6H30 valves, 1 ECC83 valve and 1 6550 valve.
- Transistorised control circuitry.
- GhostMeter front side analogue VU meter exclusive to Audio Research.
- Automatic polarisation of the output valves.
- 330 W RMS power over 4/8 ohms.
- Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) audio input.
- RS-232 input and input/output sockets for 12 V trigger signal.
- Entirely hand-built in EE.UU.
- Dimensions: 438 x 254 x 457 mm (W x H x D).
- Net weight: 45'45 kg.
Price per pair.
