Outwardly, the 80S shares the same dimensions as the 160M. A single shallow whisper fan is built into the bottom plate. Flexibility is built-in, too, with XLR and SE inputs, 4-8-16 ohm output taps, 12V input and output triggers, RS232 input, tube hour meter, switchable fan speeds, and defeatable auto-off function.

The feature set is the same as the 160S, including a proprietary auto-bias circuit that adjusts for not only tube age, but for powerline voltage swings. There is fusing of the output tubes for safety and stability, single-ended and balanced inputs for flexibility, switchable Triode/Pentode operation – distinguished from the Triode/Ultralinear modes in the 160 models – to accommodate loudspeakers and personal preference, output tube monitoring, and inclusion of an hour meter. This is a tube amplifier that does not require fiddling and is meant to be enjoyed. The built-in 12V trigger turns the 80S on or off when connected to a modern preamp.

Built by hand, from the ground-up in our Maple Grove, Minnesota facility, the 80S can fool you into feeling you are in the presence of the musical performance. Whatever your reference speakers may be, whether they are from Wilson, Magnepan, Vandersteen, Focal, Sonus faber, B&W, or countless others: the Reference 80S will elevate their performance to a new plateau.

 
 
 
REF80S SYSTEM
 
 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
 
 

Power Output

70 watts continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 1% at 140 watts, below 0.04% 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 critical)

Power Bandwidth

(-3dB Points) 7Hz to 68kHz

Frequency Response

(-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.7Hz to 94kHz

Input Sensitivity

1.4V RMS Balanced for rated output. (25.5 dB gain into 8 ohms). RMS SE for rated output. 

Input Impedance

300k ohms Balanced; 75k ohms Single-ended

Output Polarity

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

Output Taps

4, 8, 16 ohms

Output Regulation

Approximately 1.0dB 16 Ohm Load to Open Circuit (Damping factor approximately 8)

Overall Negative Feedback

15dB

Slew Rate

10 volts/microsecond

Rise Time

4.0 microseconds

Power Requirements

105-130VAC 60Hz (210-250VAC 50Hz) 420 watts at rated output, 280 watts in Triode mode, 221 watts at “idle”, 3.6 watts off Units for Japan: 100VAC 50/60Hz 

Tubes Required

2 matched pair KT150 (Power output V1-V4); 2 6H30 (Gain stage V5, V6)

Dimensions

Width 18.5” (47 cm) chassis; 19.0” (48.26 cm) faceplate.

Height 10.5” (26 cm)

Depth 18.5” (47 cm) 

With handles & connectors: 21” (53.3 cm) 

Weight

62 lbs. (28.2 kg) Net; 73 lbs. (32.7 kg) Shipping