Lavardin IS Reference w/ MM Phono Stage

Highly regarded and very favorably reviewed, Lavardin IS Reference integrated amplifier with MM phono stage. Conservatively rated 8 as I am the second owner. New in 2011, with all paperwork from Fidelis. Rated at 45 watts per channel. Includes original box, manual,  and US and European AC power cords. Rare in the U.S. Will be shipped double boxed with tracking. No shipping fee, no PayPal fee.

LAVARDIN TECHNOLOGIES

Model IS Reference (2001 - 2016) 

What*Hi-Fi

Our Verdict Five Stars The IS Reference is one of the most musically compelling amplifiers we’ve ever heard at this price level. It’s not flashy, but it is brilliant

For A sonic superstar with nuanced dynamics, crisp timing and impressive detail class-leading fluidity easy to use

Against Nothing to shout about physically no remote control

Rarely will you see such a plain-looking product on our print edition's Temptations pages as the Lavardin IS Reference integrated amplifier. 

The kit featured in this section of the magazine is usually highly priced and massively engineered, with luxury cosmetics the norm, which is why the puritanical Lavardin sticks out even more.

Take a closer look at the spec list and things don't get any flashier. It's a simple line-level design (a MM phono module is a £383 option) with just a single tape loop. Headphone output? Remote control? No, and no. 

Completing the unspectacular news is a power output of just 30 Watts per channel: not enough to impress at a 10th of the money.

But, as the star rating would suggest, there's plenty more going on here than the bare figures.

Impressively expressiveProvided you haven't got particularly insensitive speakers or a room the size of a barn, this slimline Lavardin will deliver more than reasonable volume levels. And within its (surprisingly wide) limits this is an amazingly surefooted and articulate amplifier.

It's insightful, not just in its ability to dig up lots of detail, but also in the manner with which it ties together all the musical strands to make the resultant whole make sense. 

If you want a telepathic link into what the recording artist wants you to feel, the IS Reference gets closer than any rival we've heard.

Lavardin makes a great deal about what it calls ‘Memory Distortion'. This is the idea that electron flow across silicon – used in transistors – leaves a residual path, and that this is the cause of the hardness of solid state, as compared to valve amplifiers. Lavardin has come up with some circuitry that the company claims gets around this issue.

At this point we must mention that no other manufacturer we've ever met even acknowledges the effect, let alone thinks it's a problem that needs to be solved.

Marketing hype? It could well be, except the IS Reference is amazingly fluid in its delivery, making almost all rival amplifiers sound mechanical in comparison.

An amazingly clear soundThe Lavardin is full-bodied and rich, without ever sounding overcooked in the bass or rounding-off treble. On the subject of treble, it shimmers and sparkles in a manner we've rarely heard, without any hint of excess harshness or spikiness.

Such a formidable array of talents means the Lavardin is at home with all types of music. It charges along with Springsteen and sooths with Sinatra. Whatever you listen to, this little amplifier will lap it all up and deliver the sound in a wonderfully natural, convincing manner.

Judged purely on sound, the Lavardin is an outstanding bargain. Yes, the IS Reference is painfully feature-free, and it looks less glamorous than most budget amplifiers we've reviewed. But, give it a fair listen in a suitably talented system and we think you'll be hooked.

Technical Summary

 

Shared/Common Features

Low memory distortion circuits and components

High-quality relays strategically placed near the signal entry

Gold-plated contacts for minimum contact resistance and outstanding

long-term reliability

High Speed and low Memory Distortion, Solid State Circuits, Lavardin Technologies Design

Notes

The Model IS Reference is a souped-up Model IS, with better parts and tolerances

Asymmetrical Inputs

4 on gold plated high quality cinch connector (unbalanced, RCA)

Input Impedance

10 Kohms

Input Sensitivity

Nominal 0,330 V.

Line Output

Fixed level for tape recorder

Phono MM Input

Optional in replacement of line input number 4

Phono board implemented in the factory

Input Selection

Sealed Relays

Input Switching Contacts

Gold, Silver, Palladium Alloy

Nominal Power

2 x 35 W RMS

Load Impedance

Nominal 8 Ohms

Output Current

> 2 x 10 amps peak

Harmonic Distortion

0,005% @ max output

PSU

Special Suspended PSU

Dimensions

H 80 W 430 D 340 (mm)

Finish

Black anodised and painted non magnetic high-grade aluminum. Knobs only in silver.

Weight

6.5 Kg net (13 lbs)

Power Consumption

32 watts idle ; 180 watts maximum

• SEPTEMBRE 2016
  Model IS Reference
  AVGUIDE.CH SWITZERLAND
  The IS Reference is the best transistor amplifier I have ever heard. Not the best of his "class": The best
  
  
  
• FEBRUARY 2015
  
  ISRAEL MODEL IS REF (Hebrew)
  The bottom line:
  "Spartanic amplifier... Highly musical amplifier with detailed and rich sound without being bright or exaggerated in any frequency. I loved the soundstage, musicality, level of details, exposue layers of sound and thick body objects, not thin and skinny - in the end the amp delivered music "big time" and enables long listening hours".
  
  
  " "Even the lowly IS makes just about every other amp you´ll compare it to sound smeared, muddled, confused"
  (The Absolute Sound)
  
  
• SEPTEMBER 2010 MODEL IS REFERENCE - WHAT HIFI - GB
  "The IS Reference is one of the most musically compelling amplifiers we've ever heard at this price level".
  "The IS Reference is amazingly fluid in its delivery, making almost all rival amplifiers sound mechanical in comparison".
  "A sonic superstar with nuanced dynamics, crisp timing and impressive detail; class-leading fluidity; easy to use".
  "If you want a telepathic link into what the recording artist wants you to feel, the IS Reference gets closer than any rival we've heard".
  "Judged purely on sound, the Lavardin is an outstanding bargain"
  
  
  
• JUILLY 2005 - USA - STEREO TIMES
  

• read more
  "Amazing grace"
  "The Lavardin IS Reference is a true reference that every music lover should make a top priority to audition.
  A word of warning though: after experiencing the Lavardin's grace and resolution, otherwise very good electronics will sound crude and false.
  The ease with which it opens the aesthetic world of music to the listener is priceless".
  
  
  
• NOVEMBER 2005
  Model IS Reference - FRANCE - Diapason d'OR 

• APRIL 2005 - USA - STEREOPHILE
  CLASS "A" RECOMMENDED COMPONENT
  
  
  

• FEBRUARY 2005 - USA - STEREOPHILE :
  SAM'SPACE "No frills, few features : You'll be impressed only when you sit down and listen ...."
  
  
  
• Model IS Reference - 2004 - Germany - IMAGE HIFI
  "How can so much music come out of this amplifier ??"
  
  
  

• GOLDEN EAR AWARD 2001 WINNER
  - 2001 - Model IS et Model IS Reference THE ABSOLUTE SOUND - USA
  "Even the lowly IS makes just about every other amp you´ll compare it to sound smeared, muddled, confused. But the best bit is that all that clarity and organization are musically natural in presentation. Stable and open with fabulous micro-dynamics, the Lavardin is the antithesis of clinical, breathing life and energy into the performance"
  
  
  

• PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2001
  Model IS Reference - England - HIFI+
  " Total realism and incredible pinpoint soundstage accuracy "
  " If you want to "get to know the band", and meet the conductor of the orchestra, and feel the tears rolling down Otis's face, buy one! "