Outwardly, the 80S shares the same dimensions as the 160M. A single shallow whisper fan is built into the bottom plate. Flexibility is built-in, too, with XLR and SE inputs, 4-8-16 ohm output taps, 12V input and output triggers, RS232 input, tube hour meter, switchable fan speeds, and defeatable auto-off function.
The feature set is the same as the 160S, including a proprietary auto-bias circuit that adjusts for not only tube age, but for powerline voltage swings. There is fusing of the output tubes for safety and stability, single-ended and balanced inputs for flexibility, switchable Triode/Pentode operation – distinguished from the Triode/Ultralinear modes in the 160 models – to accommodate loudspeakers and personal preference, output tube monitoring, and inclusion of an hour meter. This is a tube amplifier that does not require fiddling and is meant to be enjoyed. The built-in 12V trigger turns the 80S on or off when connected to a modern preamp.
