Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Research, Inc. 100.2 Amplifier (SS) by madisonears

Model:	100.2
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$3.495
Description:	Solid State, 100 watts x 2, 200 WPC into 4 ohms, and 360 WPC into 2 ohms
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Research, Inc.
Model Picture:	View

Review by madisonears ( A ) on April 26, 2007 at 16:26:29
IP Address: 24.183.47.213

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for the 100.2

I've had a fair sampling of different amps over the years: Threshold 400A, Aragon 8008BB, Clayton 100 watt monoblocks, BAT VK-200, BAT VK-60 monoblocks (the best-sounding of all, but took too much power and upkeep), CIA D-200 monoblocks, and, finally, this little wonder from Audio Research.
I don't know if I have finally attained that synergy thing with the rest of my system, or if this amp is really that good, but I am amazed at the quality of sound this amp produces. It throws an amazing 3-D image, has crisp, clear highs without any grain, produces midrange with realistic instrumental and vocal timbres, and has plenty of tight, punchy low end. This is almost as good as the BAT VK-60's when they were freshly retubed, lacking only the slightest bit of refinement in the mids and air in the highs. The bass, however, is much tighter and lower, if maybe not quite as powerful overall. There isn't that special tube amp sheen to massed strings, but neither is there any harshness or grain that is usually present with SS. I have heard other AR amps and preamps, and I was never impressed with them: they always seemed too detailed, too electronic sounding, but not this baby. The music is detailed without being bright, with a very natural, if not quite totally relaxed (tubey), sound.
This model was discontinued by AR; I think they don't produce anything equivalent to it now, and that is a real shame. Before I bought it, used, I could find very little information about it anywhere on the web: no reviews, and very little user information here on AA or elsewhere. I see other used ones for sale sometimes, and, if people sell these to get something better, I would really like to know what they're using instead. Please, send me an e-mail to let me know.
This amplifier deserves cult status. It is an unsung hero that sings for me.

Product Weakness: um, um, um, I give up...what is the weakness? Okay, the funky handles on the front that don't really help to lift the thing. I'm tempted to remove them and install some nice pieces of wood.
Product Strengths: for SS, it's very close to the elusive tube sonority and realistic 3-D image; compact for its output capabilities

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Audio Research 100.2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Euphoria, balanced
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz SA-11S1, balanced
Speakers:	B&W 802 Matrix w/outboard xovers
Cables/Interconnects:	OCC copper homemade, AQ Python
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	70% classical, 15% jazz, 15% rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	bass traps, absorbtive panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	um, um, um, I give up...what is the weakness? Okay, the funky handles on the front that don't really help to lift the thing. I'm tempted to remove them and install some nice pieces of wood.
Product Strengths:	for SS, it's very close to the elusive tube sonority and realistic 3-D image; compact for its output capabilities