Audio Research Signals New Era with All-New Product Series

September 13 2021, 01:10
The I/50 Integrated Amplifier is the first product in an all-new series from Audio Research since the company was sold to Trent Suggs by the McIntosh Group. The new product series sends a clear message with a functionally simple and visually engaging design, while staying true to the company's values of sounding musically sublime. This is a product that responds to market demands, and builds upon the company's values, as the company's president and new owner promised. 

Hand-crafted in Minnesota, the I/50 Integrated Amplifier is built with the same attention to detail as all other Audio Research products - each one even gets its own listening test with sonic designer, Warren Gehl. Available in six colors, the I/50 features Cerakote finishes for a beautiful and long-lasting look. The modular design allows for the installation of two audio modules - a Phono Stage, and a D/A Converter (to come in 2022). The high current, 50 watt per channel amplifier is capable of driving a wide variety of speakers. A headphone jack also allows for personal listening time.

Designed to be easy to use, the I/50 Integrated Amplifier has three controls on its top panel - Power, Input, and Volume. Two LexieTubes provide display information for input selection and volume. Two matched pairs of 6550WE vacuum tubes, along with three 6922 tubes, stand in front of the perforated transformer cover. Three single-ended inputs and one XLR input provide connectivity for most systems, along with 4- and 8- Ohm speaker taps to accommodate any choice. One input can be assigned for pass-through function. A full-function metal remote control provides further functionality and operation. An optional tube cage will be available.

As with all other Audio Research products, the new I/50 is built entirely in the company's Minnesota facility by a team of skilled technicians and expert craftspeople. Offered in six colors, the I/50 is also the first product completely finished in-house. The Audio Research finishing lab now encompasses a purpose-built painting facility and laser imaging and marking machines to produce a finish normally found only on much more expensive products. The Cerakote finish is also designed to be enduring and easy to maintain.

The upcoming Phono module provides 42 dB of gain, allowing a wide choice of moving magnet and high-output moving coil cartridges. The D/A Converter will have multiple connection options and an array of decoding formats to accommodate the wide spectrum of music formats and resolutions.
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