Did the Audio Research I50 live up to my expectations?
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- Опубліковано 19 бер 2024
- #hifi #audiophile #stereo #speakers #audioresearch
Patreon: / thomasandstereo
I will be at the 2024 Montreal Audio Show March 22 - 24 room 1226
Derrick (Toughnut) will be at 2024 Montreal Audio Show March 22 - 24 room 2326
Non-affiliated link:toughnutaudio.ca/products/iso...
Non-affiliated link: audioresearch.com/i50/
Gear used or mentioned in this review
Audio Research I50 Tube integrated amp
Silverline Sonata Speakers
Matrix X Sabre 3 DAC
Galion TS 120 Tube Integrated amp
Genelax Gold Lion KT88 Tubes
CCA 6922 Tubes
Focal Kanta 2 Speakers
Audio Research 6SE Tube preamp
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What is your experience with Audio Research? Let me know in the comments.
I will be at the 2024 Montreal Audio Show March 22 - 24 room 1226
Derrick (Toughnut) will be at 2024 Montreal Audio Show March 22 - 24 room 2326
Non-affiliated link:toughnutaudio.ca/products/isolation-platforms/
Non-affiliated link: audioresearch.com/i50/
Since you're asking, I was sitting in my listening chair, enjoying my VT-100 and minding my own business, when all of sudden, bang, the amp dies and a hot piece of something flew through the top air vent and hit me right in the cheek. It could have taken my eye out. The repair was covered under warranty, of course, but I somehow managed to talk myself into an upgrade and traded it for a new VAC. The amp was almost 6 months old, so I was just about due for an upgrade anyway.
Among the very best phono 10,line 10 and 150 se mono driving Alsyvox
Entertaining video. Thomas can hold my attention for 15 minutes talking about an amp I'll never need. Great information for people in need of an amp.
Thanks, I am glad it was interesting enough to hold your attention.
😁 SAME THING HERE,…AND THE SOUND DEMO AT THE END 🤗IMPRESSIVE EVEN ON UTUBE 🥶💚💚💚
Very well done review Thomas. You became more eloquent and interesting to listen to. I really like it.
Thanks!
Sounds right up my alley! I'll have to find a way to audition one of these. Thanks, Thomas!
Yes, definitely worth the time, regardless if it is your kind of sound or not.
Looks like a great thing to buy if you enjoy dealing with various problems.
I luv your sense of humor ❤
Wow Thomas this amp is great , I actually bought it to flip but I love it so much I'm replacing my more expensive seperates and keeping it
Congrats, I was so tempted to keep it myself
Great review 👏 ❤😊
Who else here want Tomas to make a video about "why auto bias could change the sound quality?"
Companies will be throwing knives at me.
Certainly, this is the best review and discussion ever on your channel. And indicates that
we still despite modern high vacuum ability on new tubes, we are most often still have the
best sound from classic tubes from the 50's and 60;s.
So, Audio Research decides not to include autobias on this amp. That's fine. But they also do not include a means for the customer to manually bias the tubes himself. That's unfortunate. According to Stereophile, per Audio Research, the four power tubes should be replaced every 2000 hours (that's 1 year for me) and the three signal tubes every 4000 hours. The lack of at least manual biasing, I think, is going to be a problem for a lot of people. It means that not only will you have to go to a technician every year or so for biasing the original tubes but also use a technician if you want to properly tube roll.
Maybe you can ask the technician to show you how to do it? I understand where you are coming from.
Yeah that is nonsense and a real inconvenience
This is why I opted to not buy this. I really wanted it since you can also add a phono and DAC module.
This was a serious omission (probably by design).
$800 ChiFi tube amps allow you to do this.
Every Audio Research amplifier's bias is easy to set. You need a voltmeter and non-conductive screwdriver. The service manuals show you how and are readily available. Over my life, I have owned eight different Audio Research amplifiers, so I know. The tubes also last quite a bit longer than they say.
@@alfonsodelafreg259 I am concerned that you may be unintentionally giving false information in specific regard to the i50 integrated amp. I would strongly recommend anyone considering this amp to first contact Audio Research re the possibility of manual biasing if that is important to you.
I would note that: per the i50 user manual: "It is recommended that you replace the vacuum tubes of your I/50 in sets. All of the tubes in your amplifier have been matched to have similar operating characteristics, to provide the best sound quality and reliability. 6550WE tubes should be replaced at approximately 2000 hours. 6922 tubes should be replaced before 4000 hours. Upon replacing a power tube or tube set, the I/50 must be biased by a trained technician to ensure proper operating values." There are no instructions in the i50 User Manual to show how a customer can manually bias the power tubes.
I would additionally note that all of Audio Research's current power amp offerings include auto bias except one: the Reference 750 SEL Mono Amplifier. The Owner's Manual for the Ref SEL 750 does give specific instructions as to how the customer can manually bias the output power tubes, and it contains no language stating that the power tubes must be biased by a trained technician.
I am sure you are correct re your experience with previous Audio Research power amp models, but given the above, I suspect that you are incorrect about the ability of a customer to self manually bias the i50 integrated. Whatever the case, certainly no one should feel confident making that assumption but should instead contact Audio Research directly to clarify this issue.
I def want to try an ARC reference line preamp at some point. Would love to throw in a high level tube pre to improve my 2 channel and headphone chains.
Yes, all Audiophile must experience Audio Research at one point of their audio journey.
Finally, Audio Research gets some luv!!!!
Hi Thomas you're really getting the hang of the review thing: informative, colorful, entertaining with your personal stamp. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
That thing is beautiful. Looks are important to me but I want a tube amp to sound like a tube amp.
Yup this one sounds like one relatively speaking
“Black and red go together like…alcohol and bad decisions!…”Had coffee out my nose 😂
Man, you make it hard not to want one. But really appreciate your experience and direct honesty applied to what you bring to us. Actually, even more curious about your new pre 🤫
Thinking shoot out with a VTL amp vs. AR would be fun.
The fact there is no stereo sub outs or manual (or auto) biasing is a killer for me. I'd rather get a Black Ice F35 version 2. Still, I'll keep my eyes on this for future iterations. AR should take notes on customer feedback. Looks like a great product! But this has options for DAC and phono without the above? Nah. Great video! Thanks, Thomas!
Could easily add one or more REL's to the i50 using REL's high-level connection at the amps binding posts Thomas. In my view, not all vintage tube amps have an old tube radio sound. I use a vintage British Lumley point to point wired ST70 6550/KT88 power amp that has been completely rebuilt using the best mundorf/ Audionote & Nichicon caps it has a very balanced modern sound that can easily distnguish the sound/tone changes when rolling out tubes.The pair of REL S5/ SHO works flawlessly connected in this way. My amp would probably cost in excess of 10k if it were designed and built today, but the lovely little i50 would probably work extremely well with a pair of REL T9/x in red gloss finish. Nice review and general discussion too. I had planned on getting an Audio Research pre and would have had I not borrowed a Tim de Pavaracini designed EAR 912 all tube transformer driven pre. I had to get one it has a sublime phono stage that can go toe to toe with anything regardless of price I had to have one.
I owned it, and Why the balanced input have volume smaller than Unbalanced input? Can i use KT88 tubes replacement 6550we?
Thanks. I have been an ARC adherent for nearly 50 years, SP 3A-1, SP 6, D75 and D75A driving the Tympani 1 screens. If I downscale the I 50 and a Maggie panel may be choice.
With Maggie, I don't suggest tube amps. I have tried many tube amps with Maggie and the only one I would recommend is probably the Cayin 170i soul with 130w of power.
They look fantastic and love they’re still tube centric as a company. The direct comparison I’d like to see is between this and the McIntosh ma252 with a sub out and a phono stage.
That would be interesting.
Yes AR are an investment like buying a car. That's a gorgeous tube amp and it looks like a quality build for sure.
Audio research gsi75 is problably one of the very best values in second hand,
It has a very decent mm/mc phono preamp , good enough to go against 2000/2500 preamps ,
It has an even better dac ( there are better now ? Maybe but not at this money) the dac is really fantastic , I would be easily the equivalent to a 4000/5000 dac ,
So plug your streamer and Turntable direct to the gsi75 , a good pair of speakers ( maybe help buy them when you sell your phono preamp and dac , that now should be useless) and presto .
Yes, thanks for sharing. I think people who have not lived with Audio Research should give it a try. Although it is still not cheap second hand, it will retain most of its value when reselling.
@@ThomasAndStereo that’s true , …..can’t have it all
The real question for the biasing situation with this amp is why not add adjustment knobs/screws like they do on these Chinese amps they sell for a fraction of the price where you can manually adjust it yourself and without having to open the amp up.
Thomas, I bought my ARC LS15 back in 1995 along with my VAC PA 80 80 amp I still use them to this day and have had not one issue with either piece after all these years Oh I have to bias my VAC tube amp with a small screwdriver
My first was a Sp8, those things last forever.
@@ThomasAndStereobought sp8 mk-1 in Jan 83 first wonder cap units replacing electrocube cap used in the first 81/82 sp-8. This was the top mix of old and new sound in phono at the time $1600 and worth every penny. Oracle turntable with Dynavector 23r ruby was absolute magic.
Thank you for the video Thomas, I really enjoyed it!! There are a lot of comments here about tube bias and rolling. I’ve had this amp for almost two years now, and I’ve had a lot of fun swapping out the three preamp tubes (6922’s) for a different experience every once and awhile. No biasing is required. Brandon Lauer from ARC talks about it here: ua-cam.com/video/EmX0ILSeEBg/v-deo.htmlsi=5XuGl6SWO5VVRtel
Now of course when we talk about the four power tubes (6550WE)…they need to be biased when changed, and ARC recommends it be performed by the dealer. But I think it is for safety reasons. Their support team will provide instructions for trained techs to do it on their own. It’s only annoying in so far as you have to flip the unit over and remove the bottom plate. After that it is easy and straightforward.
I’d be very reluctant to tube roll with this amp if I can’t bias the tubes. Especially sticking expensive and rare tubes in there. I’d be worrying about not matching the voltage and damaging or shortening the life of the tubes. Definite oversight by AR.
But, the sound might be perfection for you out of the factory so you don't need to tube roll.
Let's talk about the rumored Galion preamp. Lol 😊
As an Audio Research collector of many years, and a past owner of the i50, I can attest that the i50 with stock tubes sounds very unlike traditional Audio Research gear.
Yes, the sound has 'evolved'.
I didn't know "made in US" was still a thing.
I like the quality control, apparently, each unit is listened to before shipping.
Thomas, on a completely different subject. I mentioned your Voyager TL speakers to Tarun from A British Audiophile. Judging from his reply, I think he seemed keen to reviewn them.
I think they already know each other. In fact, Tarun may have already reviewed one of Thomas’s products, as I recall.
@@SimplyveejYes I am aware of that. Was just running it by Thomas.
I reached out to him for the TS A75 but he is fully booked for now, eventually forsure it will get into his hands. Thanks for asking.
@@ThomasAndStereo No worries. Thanks.
Hello sir, about 6 years ago, you have reviewed Dynaudio Contour 2 MKII and you liked them a lot. From that time until now, you go through and test many speakers. Now, could you please tell me about those Dynaudio Contour 2 MKII compare to the speakers you have listened? Are those Dynaudio still very good speakers?
Those are still good. I have not heard them for years so hard to say. However, I do remember they are hard to drive.
Thanks sir for your replying
For over a half century, the best high end amps in the world.
How about a series of videos on speakers best suited to tube amps-you know, over 91db at 8 ohms?
These days, tube amps are so powerful, even 87db+ is no problem. Only the low power ones are an issue.
@@ThomasAndStereo pure triode SET amps? PP amps will usually handle 87 but anything under 91 for aSET is unacceptable
What are the dimensions of your listening room?
12x16 I think, I made a whole video on how I treated my room
Leaving out auto-bias was a mistake commercially speaking. The new ownership will update it most likely in the next generation.
It is defintely more convenient.
lol. Autobias was a joke. We didn’t put it because it wasn’t understood and we didn’t have time. All of this was during COVID. Look up all the stuff that happened to ARC between 2020 and 2021 with only two EE’s on staff.
For the I/50 autobias, there’s no way 1.) the current autobias circuit would fit, 2.) it’s simple to set the bias. 3.) we had to meet margins.
Salut Thomas, l'ampli était tu roddé quand tu l'as eu ?
Oui, 100 %.
Use amp speaker posts to connect a sub with high level inputs. Any proper sub should have these connections and it’s widely regarded as the best way to connect to a sub anyways.
Yup, definitely a good solution.
Before you get excited and go out to buy this amp, you might need to know that it will not be able to drive your modern tower speakers effectively. I know that because I tried it with my bw 802, it did not go well. If you like AR, you might instead try an AR tube preamp paired with a powerfully solid state amp. That will give you a better result. I think the i-50 is mostly for efficient easy-to-drive speakers.
When you said it could not drive it, do you mean in terms of volume? Or in terms of dynamics and attack as well as bass? Mr Jazz borrowed it to drive his B&W 802D and he loved it. He does not listen loud nor does he care about bass. If Dynamic and bass was missing, perhaps KT88 would be the solution? Here is Mr Jazz's system. ua-cam.com/video/9TQ8jDqQLrM/v-deo.html
@@ThomasAndStereo Mostly just dynamic and attack is missing. The bass is not deep enough when I listen to orchestral music, other than that it works ok with my 802.
@@simplereef4854 Yes, you are experiencing what Mr. Kanta was complaining about before he swap to KT88. Moral of the story.....
I understand why you don't want to make the comparison, and I won't ask you too. However, I don't think you should shy away from it. Find the things they both do well and the things they do differently. The "best" answer is subjective.
I would do it if everyone was as understanding and mature as you. Some people would call me bashing the competition if I point out the differences, so best to avoid opening a can of worms. Heck, some even say I no longer have the right to make videos on any gear anymore.
Would like to see Audio Research VS McIntosh .
ua-cam.com/video/skxo2p55tyk/v-deo.html
Past yes, present is debatable.
Be positive! It will get better and better!
After ARC switched to the 6H30 tube from 6dj8 I never cared for anything they produced. This unit may in fact appeal to the old crowd that preferred those tube characteristics
Some say 6h30 did not sound tubish anymore, was that why you did not care anymore?
@@ThomasAndStereo it wasn’t so much that it wasn’t tub-ish it was more that the sound did not draw me in. I came from D1 50 D 90 B amplifiers and preferred that sound I don’t care for high coloration like a lot of the older CJ equipment but I could never warm up to the New tube it sounded a bit cold and did not allow you to change brands, which I think was a huge mistake on their part
@@ThomasAndStereo just a quick story. When ARC came out with the new amplifiers in 1984. (D70, 115, 250 and M100 we placed an order for the beautiful and front panel bias M100 mono amps. This would surely be the greatest ARC. Imagine when we got to them we heard great dynamics tremendous bass and absolutely hated the sound compared to our D90B The magic disappeared even more when the Classic 60 came out and then the prices became stupid high and we never again were involved with the company.
How about using 6np6 instead of 6H30. Lukas Fikus talked about improving the BAT amps with this swap. I think he found the 6H30 to have an edge that the 6np6 eliminates. I have used the 6np6 in several applications and find them to be transparent but smooth. Also at $6 per tube, you can get a bunch. Some claim they need a different bias so maybe when taking it in to a tube tech for new tubes is the time to roll these tubes.
@@ThomasAndStereo no it's because the true super tubes were bought up by BAT and the others not quite as good
With your Galion TS120 you get much more!
:)
Mr Cantor 😂
Audio Research always looks very laboratory like
It goes together like hops, barley, and delicious alcohol. And two thousand grand is better than eleventeen grand
Crap title as you don't negative review. But I sure can, it looks ok colors to me make it seem like a toy vs serious gear.
It is about 4 power tubes short of my audio research expectations.
I just passed on one for 3,500 staying with wilsenton r8 to me it looks better and it was 1000.00.
Very pretty and attractive but not much of drive power...
Sand, rocks and epoxy makes many cheaper amps artificially heavy. Tubes and even capacitors and inductors are microphonic.
Hey Thomas, thanks for the Interesting review. Aesthetically, I find that the AR 150 has some interesting design elements and is quite contemporary in appearance.
The colour options aren't my jam and I get the sense that it might have been designed by Audio Research to appeal to a more youthful market.
The auto biasing feature in the TS 120 took a lot of the trepidation out of owning a tube amp for me and I too prefer a unit with Sub outputs.
Also, thanks for your kind words regarding our GP3 Isolation platform. Where much of our success has been shared with CD and vinyl enthusiast's who have significant investments in their turntables, I, like you, can't imagine using my tube amp without a high performance isolation platform.
I am so glad I own the i50. The weight is only 40lbs and the power output is 50 watts per channel.I couldn’t understand why all the Chinese one are so heavy over 100lbs and the power output is only 15to 25watts per channel. Also they are so damn Hot！🤣🤣.I know they are class A but the weight and the heat is ridiculous .That is why I don’t buy them.
Well, congrats with your I50, you made a good decision.
tubes where so much cheaper 30 years ago. this is shocking, i will stick with Rega.
Each to there own but I don’t really like that very holographic effect.
Yes I understand, some people find it artificial.
too expensive!
Made in the USA!
@@ThomasAndStereo In the Netherlands the price starts with 7000 Euro. Could you compare it with the Willsenton R800i 805? Both 48/ 50 Watt at 8 Ohm?! 4000 euro difference. 🙂
Just to point out some things that you should have. You can adjust the bias yourself, like any tube amp, but know you are playing with high voltage. Audio Research has never recommended or advised tube rolling. It’s pointless to mention it without mentioning how many amps get destroyed by that practice. If you have enough tube knowledge to tube roll, you should understand how to bias. Just because nothing happened before never guarantees it will never happen.
Yup, I don't think it would be hard but can be difficult for some.
Alcohol and bad decision 🤣🤣🤣
Anyone who has been thru college will understand.
Unfortunately to me it turns out that the YT reviewers had nothing more to say and only share new content. Every time the same story telling. Come on do make a step further. Your Galion products I thought they had been…
I am open to suggestions 100%, what could I have done differently and better?
@@ThomasAndStereoI think you can’t ignore technical information, do comparisons, whats the reference. Elsewhere you only repeat yourself. Have a look at Steve Huff or Jay 🫣 but this only my personal opinion and I don’t want to offend you.
Yes, comparisons are good. Don't copy Steve huff....he just says everything is amazing.
Hi Thomas. It’s ain’t a hobby, it’s a curse 😁
Or a blessing!!!
And as Jay said: „…my journey“ 🤮🫣
@@ThomasAndStereo I am into vinyl playback. Imagine things I have to do!