He’s there! The Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier

Now available!

Just a smintje for the brain – In June last year we added Audio Research to our brand range and shortly afterwards we went wild, full of enthusiasm, verbatim on a new expected Audio Research integrated amplifier – the I/50.

Unfortunately, the hoped-for delivery date was not met and the real introduction was postponed to 2022. And waiting takes a long time. Also for us. Until this morning the bell rang at the warehouse door – they’re here. Finally! As far as we’re concerned, the sexiest amplifier of the moment, 100% Audio Research, built entirely in Minnesota and with a friendly price tag by Audio Research standards. That’s why this e-mail including the new Audio Research price list, the original press release and a nervous guy behind the typewriter. Simply because we really love the I/50!

The introduction of the new I/50 is much more than the introduction of a new integrated amplifier. It’s ushering in a new era for Audio Research. Or rather the reintroduction of itself. The recent step to continue building as an independent company in which the traditional culture and development in-house are paramount, is now being translated into a series of completely new products in a – by Audio Research standards – significantly lower price segment. And that while the products are developed with the same care and attention as the top of the line Reference models. With the VSi60 in mind and the desire to let more people enjoy Audio Research’s qualities, we introduce the I/50, the first model from a completely new series. Simplicity in function, visually appealing and musically sublime.

The I/50 is designed for pure music enjoyment. Three buttons on the top panel – volume, input and power. That’s it. Three single ended (RCA) inputs and a single balanced (XLR) input for connecting an analog source. More than sufficient for an average hi-fi setup. It is also nice that the I/50 has a modular structure. In addition to the standard line-level inputs, it can be equipped with a Phono Stage for direct connection of a turntable. In the course of next year, Audio Research will add an optional DAC board so that you can also enjoy digital sources directly with the I/50. A 3.5mm Jack output makes the lover of better headphones happy.

Tastes differ of course, but we think the I/50 is simply fantastic. Its proportions are perfect, the top panel with black glass inlay is immediately reminiscent of the Reference models and the integrated controls are fantastic. The four 6550WE tubes proudly rise from the relatively flat chassis and the two LexiTubes form a unique and super cool display. We already wrote that Audio Research has brought the production completely in-house and the I/50 is actually a direct showcase of that. The logos are lasered into the aluminum panels by Audio Research itself and the Cerakote ceramic coating is also done by the men themselves. Beautiful but also extremely durable. Thanks to this internal process, the I/50 is available in 6 colours: in classic Silver and Black, of course, but also in super sleek White, Blue, Red and the slightly champagne-like Gold finish. We are especially a fan of the white version because the white contrasts so beautifully with the black transformer hood and the glass top plate, but the gold finish is also very special. Admittedly – they don’t sound any better, but the eye also wants something!

The musical texture of Audio Research is mesmerizing. The soundscape is almost kaleidoscopic, with each note painted colorfully on the virtual canvas. The I/50 collects much of the musical beauty of its Reference family and plays much grander and more weighty than you would expect from its graceful appearance. Something that Audio Research has always been really good at – the glow of a tube but with a lot of drive and control. Particularly handsome! The I/50 is equipped with four matched Sovtek 6550WE Power Tetrode tubes that together with three 6922 tubes make the service. Two of those 6922 tubes form the driver stage while the third provides the input stage. Together they crank the transformer-coupled speaker output to a conservatively measured 50 watts per channel. The I/50 has been developed completely in-house, with exactly the same attention to detail as the Reference models. This means that, just like with the top models, mr Golden Ear Warren Gehl has been responsible for the final tuning and personally evaluates each copy before it leaves the factory. Insane!

We think that Audio Research has created something very special with the I/50. An integrated amplifier that not only sounds like a real Audio Research but also looks incredibly beautiful. A brilliant step in the evolution of Audio Research in which traditional High-End culture and modern progressiveness merge impressively.

The new I/50 Integrated from Audio Research, handmade in Minnesota, USA has a suggested retail price of € 6,790.

Available colors are Black, Silver, White, Blue, Red and Gold.

Including the optional Phono module with a gain of 42 dB built in from Audio Research, the I/50 has a suggested retail price of € 7,590.
The Phono module can also be retrofitted by us. This upgrade has a suggested retail price of €990.