Audio Research S-100 Stereo Power Amplifier

The Audio Research S-100 is a 100-watt-per-channel solid-state stereo amplifier designed to bring precision, scale, and musical depth to any high-end system. It’s the first release from ARC’s new solid-state engineering team, built around a fully balanced architecture that blends high-current dynamics with tonal control and clarity. From the first note, the S-100 reveals nuance and weight with an effortlessness that defies its understated form. This isn’t just a new model. It’s the start of a new era in ARC’s power amplifier lineage.

Audio Research S-100 Key Features

• Rated Power: 100 WPC into 8 ohms, 200 WPC into 4 ohms
• Signal Path: Differential JFET input stage, bipolar transistor voltage and output stages
• Topology: Fully balanced from input to output
• Input Select: Rear-panel switchable between balanced XLR and single-ended RCA
• Chassis: New low-profile case with custom-machined heatsinks
• Design Philosophy: Solid-state architecture voiced for ARC’s classic musicality
• Manufacturing: Hand-built in Minnesota, USA

Solid-State Power, ARC Soul

At its heart, the S-100 is a fully analog design that prioritizes low distortion, wide bandwidth, and dynamic agility. The front end starts with a differential JFET input stage for excellent linearity and noise rejection. From there, the signal flows through bipolar voltage and output stages operating in Class AB, delivering grip and tonal authority across a wide range of speakers. The result is power with finesse—never sterile, always musical.

Balanced from Input to Output

The S-100’s fully balanced topology helps eliminate interference, lower distortion, and preserve signal integrity from source to speaker. A rear-panel selector lets you switch between balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs depending on your system. Internally, the circuit remains symmetrical, maintaining coherence regardless of input type. For listeners who demand both flexibility and fidelity, this architecture offers the best of both worlds.

Designed for the Next Chapter

The S-100 debuts a new Audio Research chassis design with custom-machined heatsinks, a low-profile silhouette, and subtle industrial refinement. It’s built by hand at ARC’s Minnesota facility alongside the rest of the Reference and Foundation Series. The S-100 is part of a new generation of ARC components launching in 2025 to mark the company’s 55th anniversary, and it’s a clear sign that the future is every bit as exciting as the past. It pairs seamlessly with the Audio Research LS-2 preamplifier, designed in parallel to deliver a fully balanced, high-resolution system from input to output.

The Listening Room Difference

The Listening Room is a third-generation, family-owned business where you’re likely to speak with Mike Hoatson directly. Whether you’re upgrading an existing ARC system or diving in for the first time, we help match components to your space and goals with exceptional service that doesn’t stop after checkout. We’ve delivered ARC systems across the country, often by hand, and we support each setup like it’s our own. That’s the difference here.

Specifications