Audio Research

Reference 330M

Name: Reference 330M
Brand: Audio Research
SKU: AUDIO-RESEARCH-REFERENCE-330M

Monoblock Power Amplifier

Series Reference

Make music come alive in a way you will never forget.

At a glance

All specifications

Frequency response: 0.5 Hz to 110 kHz
Power: 330 W per channel
Output Taps: 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Output Impedance: 0.812 ohms
Damping Factor: 10 at 8 ohms

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Overview

Make music come alive in a way you will never forget.

The Reference 330M puts you right there, and does not let you forget that you are listening to a living performance captured in time, just waiting to be unearthed with no potential left unrealized.

The beauty, the emotion, the dynamics, the life are all there to conjure total immersion, whenever you want it.

Highlights

The 330M was designed to provide ultimate performance without worry.
Auto bias assures rock-steady consistency, minute-by-minute, day in and day out.
Output tube life is 3,000 hours, providing many years of listening pleasure.
A fully-balanced design, the addition of single-ended inputs allows its compatibility with virtually any source.
12 volt triggers allow the 330M to be turned on remotely, just by powering up your Reference preamp or a master control.
RS232 control.
Auto-off control will turn 330M off if no signal is sensed in two hours (defeatable).
Fan speed control.
Tube hour meter.
4-8 ohm speaker outputs.
Tube monitor.
Meter light control allows dimming or off.
Meter action switch allows meter needle to be turned off.

About Audio Research

When Audio Research was founded in 1970 by Bill Johnson, he had one goal in mind: to advance the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. Today, Audio Research remains true to its roots as a performance-oriented company driven by proven philosophies and superior design. Many industry observers consider Audio Research one of the true originators of the concept of “high-end” audio, offering an unsurpassed level of performance that can easily be heard and appreciated by all. Over its first half-century, Audio Research has grown from a small operation in the back of Bill’s shop to a modern, self-contained factory with dedicated R&D, testing, manufacturing, quality control, and listening facilities. Manufacturing is done by hand in-house, from the ground up, in our Minnesota facility. (Contact us for a tour if you are near Minneapolis, it’s fascinating to meet the people and see the process in action.) 330M Monoblocks Launched May 2024

All Audio Research products

Features

A hand built masterpiece
The Reference 330M is the finest amplifier ever created by Audio Research, with the ability to control any loudspeaker with a vice-like grip and startling dynamic life. It is the culmination of everything we have learned over 50+ years. It is a statement that music is king, always ready to sweep you away. Infusing new technology and circuits with the finest vacuum-tube architecture, the 330M elevates music reproduction to the highest plateau with an all-tube signal path. From its ECC83 input to its KT170 output, with tube regulation in the power supply, the 330M proves that you can enjoy the ease of high power along with a delicacy and purity usually associated with low-power amplifiers. Tonal saturation and density accompany a specificity of recording space beyond anything we have built. Liquidity and artistry abound, yet with blade-like edge precision when called for. Extension at both frequency extremes is state of the art even for solid state amplification. Statement-level loudspeakers capable of meaningful infrasonic bass output will be fully commanded down through their lowest octave without a hint of retreat. Stones unturned: None. This is our heritage, the legacy created by our founder, William Zane Johnson.

Specifications

Frequency response: 0.5 Hz to 110 kHz; The range of pitches it reproduces, from deep bass to the top of the treble.
Power: 330 W per channel; How much power it delivers to each speaker into its rated load.
Model code: AUDIO-RESEARCH-REFERENCE-330M; Quote it when you ask a specialist.

Specifications

Power Output: 330W @ 1kHz 0.92% THD +N 10Hz - 80kHz Unweighted 1W @ 1kHz 0.013% THD+N 10Hz - 80kHz Unweighted
Frequency Response: (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.5Hz to 110kHz
Input Sensitivity: 2.48V RMS Balanced for rated output; 1.23V RMS Single Ended for rated output 135mV RMS Balanced for 1W output; 70mV RMS Single Ended for 1W output
Gain: 26.3dB Balanced Input into 8 ohms 34dB Single Ended Input into 8 ohms
Input Impedance: 168.5k ohms Balanced, 19.5k ohms Single Ended
Output Polarity: Non-inverting. Balanced input pin 2+ (IEC-268)
Output Taps: 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Output Regulation: 0.82dB 8-ohm load to open circuit
Output Impedance: 0.812 ohms
Damping Factor: 10 at 8 ohms
Noise: Input shorted. Noise level referenced to 1W into 8 ohms Balanced: -80dBV 10Hz-80kHz Unweighted; -91dBV A-weighted ; Single Ended: -75dBV 10Hz-80kHz Unweighted; -86.5dBV A-weighted
Power Requirements: 105-130VAC 60Hz (210-250VAC 50Hz) 987w at rated output; 386w at idle, 1.1w power off
Tube Complement: 6 matched KT170 V1-V6 Power Output; (1) x 6H30 V7 Gain Stage; (1) x 12AX7/ECC83 V8 Gain Stage; (1) x 6550 and (1) x 6H30 V9, V10 voltage regulator
Dimensions: width 18.5” (47 cm) 19.0” (48.26 cm) inc faceplate height 10.5” (26 cm) depth 21.5” (54.6 cm) with handles & connectors 24.25” (61.6 cm)
Shipping Dimensions: 31 x 27 x 20 (in). 787 x 686 x 508 (mm).
Weight: 101 lbs 46 kg, Shipping 118 lbs, 54 kg (per monoblock)