Audio Research VT80 SE Power Amplifier

Name: Audio Research VT80 SE Power Amplifier
Brand: Audio Research
SKU: ARCVT80SE
Price: 27000.00 NZD
Availability: InStock

$27,000.00

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The VT80SE is designed to be the Audio Research amplifier with the widest appeal to the greatest number of music lovers worldwide. By combining world-class performance with flexibility and features like auto-bias, the VT80SE has been an amp that is easy to take home and just forget as you enjoy your music collection again for the first time. The VT80SE expands on the phenomenal performance of the original VT80 with the addition of KT150 tubes instead of KT120. The KT150 improves on sound quality and life span, unparalleled at 3000 hours.
The auto-biasing capability of the VT80SE allows for the use of other tube models also; KT120, KT88 and the 6550.

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Specifications

POWER OUTPUT
75 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 1% at 75 watts, below 0.05% at 1 watt. (Note that actual power output is dependent upon both line voltage and ‘condition’ i. e.: if power line has high distortion, maximum power will be affected adversely, although from a listening standpoint this is not very critical.)

POWER BANDWIDTH
(-3dB points) 7Hz to 60kHz.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE
(-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.7Hz to 80kHz.

INPUT SENSITIVITY
1.4V RMS BAL for rated output. (25dB Bal gain into 8 ohms.)

INPUT IMPEDANCE
300K ohms Balanced (150K ohms SE)

OUTPUT POLARITY
Non-inverting. Balanced input pin 2+ (IEC-268)

OUTPUT TAPS
8 ohms, 4 ohms

OUTPUT REGULATION
Approximately 1.0dB 8 OHM LOAD TO OPEN CIRCUIT (Damping factor approximately 8)

OVERALL NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
15dB

SLEW RATE
10 volts/microsecond

RISE TIME
4.0 microseconds

CHANNEL SEPARATION
112dB

HUM & NOISE
–84dBV weighted, 8 ohms tap

SIGNAL TO NOISE
112dB

CONTROLS
Power on/off, auto shut-off on/defeat, Input BAL/SE, RS232, 12V trigger

AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE
30° C (86° F) maximum ambient air temperature

POWER SUPPLY ENERGY STORAGE
Approximately 350 joules

POWER REQUIREMENTS
100-125VAC 60Hz (200-250VAC 50Hz) 410 watts at rated output, 500 watts maximum, 230 watts idle. Sleep power < 1 watt

TUBES REQUIRED
2 – Matched pair KT120 – Power Output; 2 – 6H30 Driver

DIMENSION
width    19” (48.3 cm)
height    10.33” (26.2 cm)
depth    18.45” (46.8 cm) to chassis , 19.40” (49.3 cm) to terminals

WEIGHT
45.7lbs. (20.7 kg) Net; 60.5 lbs. (27.4 kg)

The Audio Research VT80SE looks great, sounds great, and is built like the proverbial brick outhouse.

Home Theatre HiFi

What sonic improvements will you hear with the VT80SE? As Audio Research's Warren Gehl said, “More music!” Tonal color, detail, dynamic swing and clarity are all improved, along with a bigger and more robust presentation. The music gets better, in every way.

Who is this for?

The VT80 SE is designed for the discerning listener who values musicality and emotional connection above all else. If you've moved beyond chasing specifications and find yourself drawn to the natural warmth and three-dimensional soundstage that only tubes can deliver, this amplifier will speak directly to your sensibilities. It's for someone who sits down with intention to listen—not as background, but as the main event—and who appreciates the subtle gradations of tone, timbre, and texture that bring recordings to life.

With 75 watts per channel from its KT150 output tubes, the VT80 SE is ideally suited to small and medium-sized listening rooms paired with loudspeakers of moderate to high sensitivity—typically 87dB and above. Think classic monitor speakers, refined floorstanders, or any design that doesn't demand brute force but rewards finesse. It's particularly at home in systems where imaging and midrange purity take priority over sheer dynamic impact, though it's got more than enough power to surprise you when the music demands it.

This amplifier belongs at the heart of a carefully curated reference system. Pair it with a quality preamplifier—preferably from Audio Research's own lineup for sonic synergy—and feed it with a source worthy of its resolving capabilities, whether that's a high-end turntable or a premium digital front end. The VT80 SE is not an entry point; it's a destination component for the listener who has done the work, knows what they love, and is ready to invest in the sound they'll live with for years.

If you’re in the market for a tubed power amplifier, do yourself the favor of auditioning the VT80SE. In my opinion, its durability, performance, and resale value all contribute to its excellence.

The Audio Research VT80SE looks great, sounds great, and is built like the proverbial brick outhouse. Its automatic bias circuit makes it far easier to use than most tube amps, and its individually fused tubes protect it against catastrophic tube failure.