Description: Two-channel, tubed integrated amplifier. Tube complement: four Tung-Sol KT150, two 12AU7, one 6072/12AT7. Line-level inputs: 6 (1 XLR, 5 RCA) plus 1 home-theater bypass (RCA). Line-level outputs: 2 (RCA). Output power: 120Wpc into 4 ohms (17.8dBW), 80Wpc into 8 ohms (19dBW). Input sensitivity: 300mV (RCA, XLR). Input impedance: 40k ohms (RCA), 25k ohms (XLR). Channel balance: 0.5dB to –70dB on volume control. Crosstalk: left/right, 60dB; input–input, –105dB. Gain at pre out: +12dB. Frequency response: 10Hz–80kHz. THD: 0.1% at 10W into 4 ohms. Signal/noise: 103dB. Minimum load impedance: 2 ohms. Gain: 38dB. Power consumption: <30W in Ecomode, 180W idle, 500W full power.
Dimensions: V 80 SE: 17.75" (451mm) W by 5.9" (150mm) H by 16.3" (415mm) D. Weight: 50.7 lbs (23kg). Super Black Box power supply: 7.3" (185mm) W by 3.9" (98mm) H by 11.8" (300mm) D. Weight 5.5 lbs (2.5kg).
Finishes: Silver or Black aluminum.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: V 80 SE, 41512254; Super Black Box, 5412416.
Price: $10,500. Moving-magnet/moving-coil phono stage, $750; Black Box power supply, $1200; Super Black Box power supply, $3000. Approximate number of dealers: 24.
Manufacturer: Octave Audio, Industriestrasse 13, 76307 Karlsbad, Germany. Tel: (49) 0-72-48/32-78. Fax: (49) 0-72-48/32-79. Web: www.octave.de. US distributor: Dynaudio North America, 1852 Elmdale Avenue, Glenview, IL 60026. Tel: (847) 730-3280. Fax: (847) 730-3207. Web: www.dynaudio.com.
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COMMENTS
The ability to drive 2-ohm loads certainly indicates power and current, but what speakers in production today present a nominal 2-ohm load? Some full range ribbons of the 80s and 90s presented that and worse, but isn't that behind us, now?
The ability to drive 2-ohm loads certainly indicates power and current, but what speakers in production today present a nominal 2-ohm load?
If you look at the impedance measurements I publish with Stereophile's speaker reviews, you will see that quite a few speakers drop below 3 ohms, particularly in the lower midrange, where music has a lot of energy. And when you consider that the electrical phase angle can be often be quite high when the impedance is low, exacerbating the drive difficulty, I think that judging an amplifier on its ability to drive 2 ohms is eminently reasonable.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
... the third harmonic is down 54 dB, not 64 dB.
Is it just me or are the KT150s some of the ugliest tubes out there? Much prefer the classic look of KT88s.
Hi,
The review concludes by a high recommendation given proper accompanying gear.
Those are totally different price points, but would the B&W 805D3 or the Vivid G4 be good pairings with the V80?
They source being an eXasound e22 DAC.
I am concerned the 805 would be too lean and bright, the G4 not fed enough power.
Regards,
Cedric
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