Audio Research S-200 Solid State Power Amp

There is something quietly imposing about the Audio Research S-200. It doesn’t need to shout about its 200 Watts per channel or make a show of its considerable reserves of power; its appeal lies in the sense of effortless authority that comes with knowing the amplifier has plenty left in the tank. Audio Research has taken the familiar virtues of its high-end amplification and translated them into a solid-state design that feels purposeful, muscular and remarkably composed.

In use, the S-200 is less about drawing attention to itself and more about letting the music take centre stage. It has the grip to keep bass tight and controlled, plenty of headroom for dynamic recordings, and the finesse to preserve the detail and texture that make a good system so involving. It’s an amplifier for listeners who want serious power without sacrificing subtlety, and a particularly elegant way to give a high-quality preamplifier and pair of speakers the headroom they deserve.