Audio Research Vsi55

Excellent condition tube integrated amplifier with original box, remote, power cord. It has been used very minimally with low hours on the tubes. No significant scratches or blemishes. 50 watts per channel.
Physically, the VSi55 is 14" W by 8" H x 16" D, making it 1" taller and 2" deeper than the VS55. The milled, anodized natural top plate is 1 1/2" deeper and has the larger inset Audio Research logo used on the VT series of power amps. In place of the power switch and silkscreening found on the front of the VS55 is a slightly recessed area (mimicking the shape of the engraved line found on our front panels), with function and volume LEDs on the left and back soft touch buttons on the right, like the layout of the SP16. The supplied remote controls all functions including power, muting, stereo/mono, input select, and volume up/down. (There is no processor pass-thru or 12V trigger.)
The rear of the chassis has five pairs of single-ended inputs labelled CD, Tuner, Video, SE1 and SE2, a (full-range) mono subwoofer output, voltmeter test points for setting bias, 0-4-8 ohm five-way binding posts, and detachable 14-gauge AC line cord. An optional perforated cage-type top cover, specific to the VSi55, is available.
The control section of the VSi55 is passive, utilizing microprocessor-controlled relays. The high performance input relay paths are especially short, the same as those in the REF2 MKII. The microprocessor control remembers the last input selected and the stereo/mono setting when it is powered down. Upon turn-on there is an automatic 30-second warmup mute, with the volume control reset to zero to avoid possible unwanted surprises. The active circuitry is essentially that of the VS55, but with 7dB more gain for greater sensitivity (.38V). The VSi55 utilizes the same Class A input (with regulated DC heater supply) and driver stages utilizing three 6N1P tubes, and partial cathode-coupled Class AB output stages with two pairs of 6550EH output tubes. The simplicity and purity of this audio circuit has proven itself both sonically and in its reliability.