REVIEW: Lavardin Technologies IS Reference Integrated Amplifier (SS)

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Model: IS Reference
Category: Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $3000
Description: 2 X 38 wpc. Low Memory Distortion
Manufacturer URL: Lavardin Technologies
Manufacturer URL: Lavardin Technologies

Review by FishMatisse214@aol.com ( A ) on February 24, 2002 at 16:16:08
IP Address: 205.188.195.172 Add Your Review
for the IS Reference

Specification:
Asymetrical inputs 1,2,3 and 4:
on gold plated clinch connector with TPFE insulation
Input impedance: 10KOhm
Input sensibility: 280mV
Phono input 4 (if fitted) : sensibility 2mV,impedance 47KOhm
Input selection: sealed relays
Contacts: glod/silver alloy
Output power: minimum 2 X 38 W RMS under 8 ohms & 240V supply
Total Harmonic distortion : less than -85db before clipping (0,0055%)
Output impedance : nominal 8 Ohm
Technology : Exclusive high speed solid state circuits with low memory distortion
Case dimention : H 70 W 430 D 306 mm
Maximum size : H 85 W 430 D 346 mm
Cabinet : machined anodized full non magnetic aluminum alloy
Weight : 6 Kg
Supply : 240V 50Hz-4% + 10%
Power consomption : 200 W maxinmum
Technical philosophy :
The extra-ordinary musicality of Lavardin Technologies amplifiers handles in the fact that "Memory Distortion" have been tremendously reduced in their circuits. Tube technology allow electrons to travel through vacuum, but solid state amplifiers uses silicon junctions which keeps the trace of electrons flow they carry. We named this trace "Memory Distortion"(1).
For a long time, tube design amplifiers were preferred for their musicality mostly due to their low Memory Distortion. But tube design have inherent limitation like limited bandwith, limited power and poor harmonic distortion figure.
As soon as the Memory Distortion of solid state design is reduced, transistors designs can be even better than any tube design because they have ultra low harmonic distortion, wide bandwith and high power.
This is the reson why lavardin Technologies amplifier can beat hands down both the best tube and prvious traditional transistor designs for transparency and musical enjoyment.
(1) Memory Distortion is an exclusive discovery of lavardin Technologies engineers.

I'm glad that's out of the way. Now I'll try to give you a non-qualified reviewer,review
The Lavardin IS Reference is of a simple purist design. It's about twelve lbs. and petite. The box is black with two well crafted machined silver aluminum volume and selector dials. Power button is hidden in the back panel.
Sound from the bottom:
The bass is strong and articulate. Punch and dynamics are present with authority. Kickdrums are fast and tight, I'm talking about the whack! Electric bass and bass drum are separately enunciated. No boom when the volume is raised, thats because of the more than adequate reserve power supply and very low distortion. Yes, even with 38 wpc or less, the low end is always under control.
Mids :
Overall, there's a slight laid-back presentation. Perhaps, the mids do have that tube sound quality. It's very smooth, without foward presence and immediacy. But there's toe tapping excitement when the recording provides it. I think the word for an excellent mid-range is "liquid". I hate that word because to me liquid is heavy and dense.
Tonal balance is superb. Timbre is also very good. Individual instruments are separated in the own divine realm. They can also be identified without struggle. Now, the Piano is a different story, it's difficult to get that playback accurately. I can only credit expensive SET to get that right, pianos that is. Voices sound very natural, no color added and airy. If there's two or more vocals involved, you can hear the individualism in harmony. I like the fact that the voices do indeed draw you right into the music. Gum chewing and breathing is present in some recordings.
Soundstage is deep but not very wide, could be my cables at fault. The accuracy of this amp keeps the layered textures in check. Most important, the mid-range is transparent, I'm talking five windows cleaned by windex!
Highs :
Details are retrieved ruthlessly without overwelming fatigue. Go figure how can you have emphasized prominent upper frequencies without analytical fatigue? Well, don't know how Lavardin does it but there's no trade off here. The treble is tube like smooth without a trace of brightness. Overall, the IS Reference does a very good job in the upper deptpartment.

I have tube separates and had my share of some S.S. combos, the Lavardin IS Reference does it right in one box. This little sleeper puts many of my higher priced components to shame. For $3000 your getting a very refined instrument. I don't know the validity of their "Low Memory" claims, but there's a musical rightness with this great performer! Afterall, they just make amps. Recomended for small enviornments.

Product Weakness: Availability, perhaps low power for some.
Product Strengths: Purist design, exceptionally clean and transparent. Sound equal to some mega priced separates.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Same
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Arcam CD 92
Speakers: Triangle Celius 202
Cables/Interconnects: Acoustic Zen Matrix
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde, Highway 61 revisited, Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you were here, The Wall, Yes, The Yes Album,Fragile,Close to the Edge, king Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King, Jimi Hendrix, Electric Ladyland, Axis Bold is Love, Allman Bros Band, First and Fillmore East, Diana Krall, The Look of Love, and Billy Holiday, The Definitivelmore East, man Hendrix
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: dead, carpet
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 days 24 hrs.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Tripp lite
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): own

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Topic - REVIEW: Lavardin Technologies IS Reference Integrated Amplifier (SS) - FishMatisse214@aol.com 16:16:08 02/24/02 (6)

Lavardin Technologies IS Reference Integrated Amplifier (SS) - B Peter 00:43:40 02/26/02 (1)

Re:To add to your questions, B Peter - FishMatisse214 14:09:58 02/26/02 (0)

I think we agree :-) - Joel_Waterman 06:02:22 02/25/02 (1)

Re: Thank you all and Joel Waterman... - FishMatisse214 17:31:07 02/25/02 (0)

Lavardin Technologies IS Reference Integrated Amplifier (SS) - Jimbo 00:08:36 02/25/02 (0)

Now I'm Waiting To Hear About Their Mod. PO Reference Phono Stage. - Vinylly 19:00:48 02/24/02 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.

Model:	IS Reference
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$3000
Description:	2 X 38 wpc. Low Memory Distortion
Manufacturer URL:	Lavardin Technologies
Manufacturer URL:	Lavardin Technologies

Product Weakness:	Availability, perhaps low power for some.
Product Strengths:	Purist design, exceptionally clean and transparent. Sound equal to some mega priced separates.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Same
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Arcam CD 92
Speakers:	Triangle Celius 202
Cables/Interconnects:	Acoustic Zen Matrix
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde, Highway 61 revisited, Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you were here, The Wall, Yes, The Yes Album,Fragile,Close to the Edge, king Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King, Jimi Hendrix, Electric Ladyland, Axis Bold is Love, Allman Bros Band, First and Fillmore East, Diana Krall, The Look of Love, and Billy Holiday, The Definitivelmore East, man Hendrix
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	dead, carpet
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 days 24 hrs.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Tripp lite
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	own