D-80

The D-80 tube amplifier offers a wide and rich tonal palette, high resolution, and musical power in an elegant design that draws from our range of Reference tube amplifiers.

The prefix “D” has been associated with legendary Audio Research amplifiers that established the high-performance amplifier market, so this new model carries the responsibility to continue forward the classic performance and gravitas for which its ancestors are known. The D-80 delivers.

The foundation for the D-80’s design is taken directly from our Reference 80S stereo tube amplifier. A pair of KT150s per channel are part of a fully balanced, differential signal path. Internal components were chosen to maximize tonal density, bass control, and the expansiveness of the recording space, but in a more economical form than can be achieved by the Reference 80S.

The D-80 is a full pentode design. To maintain simplicity, and with the expectation that most listeners will pair the D-80 with a balanced preamplifier with XLR outputs, this amplifier has only balanced XLR inputs. 4-,8-, and 16-ohm speaker taps allow proper loudspeaker matching. The output of the D-80 is fully balanced, driving both loudspeaker legs.

Auto-bias automatically adjusts the D-80’s output tube bias continuously, in real time, adjusting for line voltage and tube age, so great sound is consistent every day. Like all Audio Research products, it is entirely built in our Minnesota facility, tested twice, and individually auditioned in our reference system.