A major reason that our Reference products have been so successful is that each offers great value-the remarkable performance each provides had simply not been available near its price. Now, the Reference 110 will redefine expectations and value in a truly state-of-the-art stereo amplifier. It is perfect for anyone who does not require the high power provided by our larger monoblock Reference amplifiers.

The dimensions of the REF110’s chassis are identical to those of a REF210, large but not unwieldy. The thick front panel simply has an On/Off switch and corresponding LED and does not contain the vacuum-fluorescent display found on its more powerful siblings.

The attractive internal layout is similar in appearance to the REF210 with the right and left channel boards mounted horizontally, flanking the transformers mounted on a raised central channel running front-to-back. A small LCD display indicating tube hours is mounted on the front of the right channel board and is visible through the top. Two small 12V D.C. fans are mounted on the rear panel, with a small internal switch allowing their speed to be set to low, medium or high. Input is balanced XLR only, while the output has separate taps for 4-8-16 ohm speaker loads via our proprietary five-way binding-posts. The REF110 has two 12V triggers (input and output) to allow remote turn-on, and there is a 20A IEC connector for the power cord.

Power output is 110 WPC continuous, based upon a push-pull, fully balanced circuit utilizing two matched pairs of 6550C output tubes per channel. The input stage utilizes direct-coupled JFETs with a 6H30 gain stage and 6H30 cathode-follower. Biasing is performed internally and is both simple and straightforward, with insulated test points on the main boards. Output stage coupling is a combination of “Ultralinear” and Audio Research’s “partially cathode-coupled” topology, yielding better sound than conventional pentode or triode operation.

The REF110 is truly a Reference product, maintaining the musical presentation of its larger siblings. The REF110 is simply revelatory, displaying an irresistible combination of grainless detail, refinement and dynamic life with bass definition, impact and control. And, as a visiting reviewer who heard a preproduction unit commented, “The Reference110 reproduces the widest soundstage I have ever heard from a stereo amplifier!” This amplifier plays big, in every positive respect.