**AUDIO RESEARCH** Reference 150SE Stereophile Class A recommended

Stereophile Class A Recommended Two-Channel Tube Amplifier Stereophile Amplification Component of the Year (Ref 150)

Wonderful amplifier! This is an original 150SE, not an upgraded 150. It has 572 hours on original tubes (KT150 output tubes). Remember, Audio Research recommends 600 hours of break-in and you are virtually there. I purchased from an authorized dealer. This has been meticulously cared for in a pet-free, smoke-free home. I can see no scratches or flaws. My goal is to free up enough funds for some Ref 250SEs.

This will be shipped in the original packaging with everything that was originally packed by Audio Research including owners manual and papers, 20 amp power cord, foam protected boxes for tubes, and even the yellow screwdriver. Obviously, I would prefer local pickup. The buyer is to cover actual shipping and insurance. I will cover other fees.

Reviewers impressions:
"With its open soundstage, neutral tonal balance, finely textured musical presentation, wide dynamics, and supremely musical feel, the ARC Reference 150 connected me with my music better than almost every other amplifier I've heard." Erick Lichte, Stereophile Magazine

" the 150 SE’s core capabilities remain firmly rooted in its ability to deliver convincing dynamic range and weight, coupled to a rich and natural tonal palette, it now augments those qualities with a level of spatial, textural, harmonic and dimensional resolution that adds shape and perspective to the picture. Vocal and instrumental accents are much more apparent, each performer’s character more identifiable, the overall shape of the song clearer and musically more effective.
That sense of immediacy and musical intimacy works wonders with small-scale acoustic rock/pop or jazz recordings. The Reference 150 SE effortlessly captures the breathy texture and individual tonalities of the horns, the shape and pitch of bass notes, the pace and placement of drum patterns and piano lines, integrating them into a musically cohesive whole. At the same time, large-scale orchestral dynamics are delivered with a sense of substance that makes them truly dramatic." Roy Gregory, The Absolute Sound

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
POWER OUTPUT 150 watts per channel continuous from20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 0.6% at 150 watts, below 0.03% at 1 watt. Approximate actual power available at 'clipping' 160 watts (1kHz). (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) 5Hz to 80kHz.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.5Hz to 120 kHz.
INPUT SENSITIVITY 2.0V RMS BAL for rated output. (24 dB Bal gain into 8 ohms.)
INPUT IMPEDANCE 300K ohms Balanced.
OUTPUT POLARITY Non-inverting. Balanced input pin 2+ (IEC-268).
OUTPUT TAPS 16 ohms, 8 ohms, 4 ohms.
OUTPUT REGULATION Approximately 0.6dB 16 ohm load to open circuit (Damping factor approximately 14).
OVERALL NEGATIVE FEEDBACK 14dB.
SLEW RATE 13 volts/microsecond.
RISE TIME 2.0 microseconds.
HUM & NOISE Less than 0.1mV RMS – 114dB below rated output (IHF weighted, input shorted).
POWER SUPPLY ENERGY STORAGE Approximately 1040 joules.
POWER REQUIREMENTS 105-125VAC 60Hz (210-250VAC 50Hz) 730 watts at rated output, 900 watts maximum, 420 watts idle.
TUBES REQUIRED 2 – Matched quad KT150 – Power Output; 4 – 6H30 Driver.
DIMENSIONS 19"(48.3cm) W x 83/4" (22.2cm) H x 191/2" (49.5cm) D. Handlesextend 11/2" (3.8cm) forward.
WEIGHT 75lbs. (34.2kg) Net; 90lbs. (41kg) Shipping.