Κώστας Φ.
Truth hurts. Here's a teddy bear.
- Μηνύματα
- 8.978
- Reaction score
- 895
Description: Stereo tubed power amplifier with balanced inputs and 4, 8, and 16 ohm output transformer taps.
Tube complement: 4 matched pairs of 6550C output tubes, 4 6H30 driver tubes.
Maximum output power: 110Wpc continuous, 20Hz–20kHz at 1kHz with THD typically 0.3% at 110W, <0.03% at 1W; 120W at clipping (20.8dBW).
Frequency response: 0.6Hz–90kHz, –3dB.
Input sensitivity: 1.8V RMS balanced for rated output (24dB balanced gain into 8 ohms).
Input impedance: 300k ohms balanced.
Output polarity: non-inverting.
Damping factor: approximately 12.
Hum & noise: <0.2mV RMS, 106dB below rated output (IHF weighted, input shorted).
Power requirements: 105–125VAC, 60Hz (210–250VAC, 50Hz), 630W at rated output, 800W maximum, 410W at "idle."
Weight: 67.4 lbs (30.7kg) net, 83 lbs (37.8kg) shipping. 46403808.
Price: $9995.
"This 110Wpc amplifier is based on a push-pull, fully balanced circuit using two matched pairs of 6550C output tubes per channel. The input stage, trickled down from ARC's flagship amp, the Reference 610T, uses direct-coupled JFETs with a driver stage based on 6H30 tubes, one for voltage gain and one used as a cathode-follower. Output tube biasing is accomplished using trim pots and insulated test points on the left and right circuit boards. The output-stage coupling is a combination of ultralinear and ARC's "partially cathode-coupled" topology, which the company claims yields better sound than conventional triode or pentode operation.
ARC pays more attention than most firms to circuit-board layout and wire routing. The Ref 110's right- and left-channel boards are mounted horizontally and flank the transformers, which are mounted on a raised central channel running from front to back. A small LCD display indicating the number of hours the tubes have been run is mounted on the front of one board and is visible though the top panel. Every tube amp should have such a display. The speed of the two small fans mounted on the rear panel is controlled with a three-way switch. The input is balanced XLR only, and there are pairs of ARC's rugged, proprietary speaker binding posts for the 4, 8, and 16 ohm taps. Two 12V triggers (input and output) allow remote turn-on. The Reference 110 is the first power amplifier I've had in house with a 20A IEC power cord.
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Summing up
The Audio Research Corporation's Reference 110 amplifier replicated, over many weeks of listening, the magic I'd experienced in those few hours of listening at Home Entertainment 2006. In certain areas the amplifier produced a level of realism startling enough to make me reluctant to turn the stereo off. I had this experience with all types of music, as well as with movies. Although the 110 was an excellent match for ARC's Reference 3 preamp, I didn't need an ARC preamp to hear its magic.
Those who've read my reviews for a while know that I rarely change reference components. In fact, at one point about 10 years ago, every piece of gear in my reference system had been discontinued. For me to even consider buying it, a new product must constitute a significant improvement over what I already own, as well as provide value for money. At the end of my listening sessions for the Reference 110, I put down my notebook and picked up my checkbook. This amplifier is not going back to ARC." -- Robert J. Reina
"As I have come to expect from Audio Research products, the Reference 110's measured performance is respectable, especially considering the low level of loop negative feedback, though I was bothered by the level mismatch between the channels and the differences in linearity." -- John Atkinson
Full Review: Stereophile.com
