PREVIOUSLY
SOLD.

REFERENCE 3

The Reference 3 brings together the qualities I value in a great preamplifier: transparency, scale and a natural sense of flow. Voices have body, instruments have room to breathe, and the presentation feels open and unforced.

What stays with me is its balance of resolution and ease. It reveals the texture of a recording while keeping your attention on the music. A memorable part of the Lena Audio collection, now with its new owner in The Netherlands.

REFERENCE 5SE

The Reference 5SE combines exceptional transparency with a deep, spacious soundstage and a beautifully natural flow. Its calm, precise presentation gives voices and instruments room to unfold, bringing detail and emotional expression together.

This carefully maintained example came from its first owner in outstanding cosmetic and technical condition, complete with its original packaging. A special addition to the Lena Audio archive, now enjoying a new home in Sweden.

X260.5

The X260.5 captures the qualities I love about Pass Labs: power, ease and a deeply musical presentation. With 260 watts per channel into 8 ohms, these monoblocks combine ample drive and control with the warmth and composure that make long listening sessions such a pleasure.

What stays with me is how unforced they sound. Bass is firm and controlled, voices have body, and instruments have space to breathe. This exceptional pair was in outstanding cosmetic and technical condition, complete with all original accessories and both original boxes.

Now with their new owner in Taiwan, whose home also has a 220V electricity supply.

JP80 MM

Some preamplifiers become part of the history of high end audio. The Jadis JP80 is one of them. Dating from the late 1980s, this early example retained its original configuration and MM phono stage, with beautifully preserved casework and controls.

Its sound is the reason the JP80 remains so sought after: colour, space, natural layers and an almost tangible presence to voices and instruments. Rich, fluid and organic, it invites you to settle into the music.

All tubes had been replaced, and the polished brass front panels added their own unmistakable character. A memorable piece of audio history, now with its new owner in France.

REFERENCE 150

Some amplifiers make their presence felt before the first record begins. The Manley Reference 150 monoblocks have that kind of character. Their substantial enclosures, distinctive controls and unmistakable industrial design give them a presence entirely their own.

This pair was fitted with Svetlana 6550 Winged C output tubes. A combination with an appeal that goes beyond the equipment itself: the glow of the tubes, the anticipation of a favourite recording, and the pleasure of making time to listen.

A distinctive chapter in the Lena Audio collection, now with their new owner in The Netherlands. Equipment with personality, selected for people who care about music.

RS-28C

The Leben RS-28C is a reminder that the appeal of a great preamplifier reaches beyond its specifications. Handmade in Japan, it brings together a wonderfully natural presentation, musical flow and the unmistakable character of Leben’s classic design.

This example was fitted with Siemens E288CC tubes, complemented by an MM phono stage equipped with Adzam tubes. Voices have texture and presence, instruments have room to breathe, and the music retains its timing and emotional pull. Open, refined and fluid, with a sense of ease that invites longer listening.

Its champagne finish, green detailing and wooden surrounds give it a presence all its own. Carefully preserved and complete with its original packaging, this RS-28C is now with its new owner in Germany. A special piece of the Lena Audio collection, for the love of music.

PHI 300.1

The VAC PHI 300.1 combines the presence of a substantial tube amplifier with a sound that seems to reach effortlessly beyond the loudspeakers. Power and punch meet a spacious, free flowing presentation, bringing scale and energy to the music.

With 150 watts per channel and four KT88 output tubes per channel in a push pull configuration, it offers ample drive for a wide range of loudspeakers. This example was fitted with Electro Harmonix KT88 and Tung Sol 6SN7 tubes, and came with its original manual.

The striking glass front and sculpted controls make it as distinctive to look at as it is to listen to. A memorable presence in the Lena Audio collection, now with its new owner in Barcelona.

SE 845

There is something captivating about a single ended tube amplifier. The New Audio Frontiers SE 845 brings that appeal into focus: an Italian stereo power amplifier operating in pure Class A, with 25 watts per channel and a spacious, three dimensional presentation.

This is the dedicated power amplifier version. Its 845 output tubes and automatic bias are complemented by carefully selected components and hand wound output transformers. This example was fitted with Tung Sol Black Plate driver tubes, Philips 5R4GYS rectifiers and Lin Lai 845 output tubes.

What makes it memorable is the sense of musical breathing: instruments have space, the soundstage opens out, and the equipment seems to step aside. A beautiful part of the Lena Audio collection, now with its new owner in The Netherlands.

MB 300.

Some amplifiers make an impression before the first record starts. With their black chassis, bold red centre panels and unmistakable VTL identity, these MB 300 monoblocks have a presence all their own.

The MB 300 comes from a period when VTL helped challenge the idea that valve amplification had to mean modest power. Rated at 300 watts per monoblock, the design combines straightforward valve circuitry with substantial transformers. A serious approach to scale, with classic tube engineering at its heart.

There is something compelling about equipment like this: purposeful, individual and built around the act of listening. A pair for the enthusiast who appreciates both the engineering and the character of classic high end audio.

This pair has found a new home in London. Another chapter begins, with a different room, a different record collection and the same love of music.

REFERENCE 75.

Two analogue meters, a brushed aluminium front and those unmistakable handles. The Reference 75 has the visual language of classic Audio Research, with the quiet confidence of a component made for serious listening.

This is a stereo tube power amplifier rated at 75 watts per channel. In its original design, four KT120 output tubes work alongside two 6H30 driver tubes, with balanced inputs and separate 4 and 8 ohm speaker connections.

Its appeal goes beyond the specification sheet. There is the ritual of switching on, choosing a record and settling into the listening chair. The meters become part of the room, while the music takes your attention.

A distinctive chapter in the Audio Research Reference story, selected and sold through Lena Audio. Now ready for its next chapter in another music lover’s system.

300B
PREAMPLIFIER.

Some components invite you to look a little closer. With its exposed valves, substantial controls and distinctive blue front panel, the Manley Neo Classic 300B is one of them. A preamplifier with an unmistakable personality.

At its heart is an unusual choice: the directly heated 300B triode, used here to drive both the line outputs and headphones. A valve more often associated with low powered amplifiers takes on a different role, supported by a design that brings the listening experience firmly into focus.

Handcrafted in Chino, California, the Neo Classic brings together a line preamplifier and dedicated headphone listening in a single, characterful component. Its appeal lies as much in that thoughtful approach as in the sight of those tall glass envelopes rising above the chassis.

This example has found a new home in Italy. Another distinctive piece from the Lena Audio selection, ready for its next chapter of late evenings, favourite recordings and time well spent listening.

ATM 211.
ATC 2.

Some systems feel complete before the first record begins. A pair of Air Tight ATM 211 monoblocks, with the ATC 2 preamplifier between them, has that kind of presence. Understated front panels, beautifully arranged controls and tall glass envelopes give this combination a quiet sense of occasion.

The ATM 211 amplifiers in this set were fitted with wonderful Elrog 211 output tubes. A particularly special detail, and an important part of what made this combination memorable. Together with the ATC 2, they brought the appeal of a carefully chosen tube system into focus.

For me, equipment like this is about the whole experience: choosing a recording, letting the evening slow down and making room for music. The two monoblocks and their matching preamplifier make a distinctive combination.

This Air Tight set has found a new home in Estonia. A distinctive part of the Lena Audio story, now beginning its next chapter with another music lover.

SP 11 MKII.

There is something wonderfully purposeful about the SP 11 MKII. Two substantial enclosures, familiar handles and a front panel filled with controls. It belongs to a time when a preamplifier invited you to take an active part in the listening experience.

The separate power supply gives this Audio Research combination its unmistakable silhouette. The dark finish and rows of switches reflect the character that makes classic audio equipment such a pleasure to live with.

The details invite a closer look, but the real attraction is the prospect of another evening spent exploring a record collection.

This SP 11 MKII has found a new home in Paris. A memorable part of the Lena Audio selection, continuing its story in another listening room.

LA SCALA.

The La Scala has a wonderfully understated presence. Brushed aluminium, two simple rotary controls and a glimpse of the valves through the front panel. A digital source component with a very individual character.

Its name feels entirely at home in a collection built around music. The appeal is in the combination of thoughtful engineering and a tactile, uncluttered design: choose your source, settle into the listening chair and give a favourite recording your attention.

For Lena Audio, a DAC is part of a larger musical conversation. The source, amplification, loudspeakers and room all play their part. Finding a combination that makes you want to keep listening is what makes the search worthwhile.

This Aqua La Scala has found a new home in Belgium. Another distinctive piece from the Lena Audio selection, ready for new discoveries in a different record collection.