Audio Research DSi200 DSI200 User Manual

There was a time, in the not-too-distant past, when audiophiles 

believed that top-shelf sound could be achieved only with 

separate components — that is, a separate preamp and power 

amp. They believed that the humble integrated amplifier was 

too compromised a product to achieve the top-quality sound 

desired by any self-respecting audiophile. And class-D switching 

amps were only for subwoofers, or those who would accept a 

compromised sound. 

Since then, the integrated amplifier has made the leap from 

convenient afterthought to main showpiece — and not only 

for the frugal or the budget-constrained. Most makers of 

high-end electronics now wouldn’t be caught dead without 

an ambitious integrated in their product line, for customers 

who want it all sonically while simplifying their systems. 

Audio Research Corporation has a long and storied history of 

making high-quality amplifiers, and beginning in 1997, with 

the introduction of the CA50, also has made some pretty good 

integrated  amps.  Now  ARC  has  created  its  new  Definition 

series, which will run parallel to the Reference line but will 

concentrate on emerging green technologies that can meet 

the excellent sonic standard that has been a hallmark of ARC 

products through the years. The class-D DSi200 is the first 

component in the new line — as well as being ARC’s first all-

solid-state integrated amplifier. 

But does the DSi200 live up to its legendary heritage, or does 

it prove that audiophiles were right all along: that separates 

are still the only way to reach sonic nirvana? 

Audio Research calls the DSi200 ($5995 USD) a fully balanced 

“hybrid solid-state” design. By “hybrid,” ARC means what they 

describe as a “massive, highly regulated, linear analog power 

supply”  combined  with  a  “truly  ‘green’  discrete  analog 

switching-MOSFET  output  stage  for  highly  efficient  power 

conversion and low power consumption.” This configuration 

helps the DSi200 consume few enough watts to earn it an 

Energy Star rating — it’s claimed to burn only 38W at idle, so 

leaving it on 24/7 shouldn’t be a problem. While ARC claims 

that doing so will make the DSi200 ready to sonically respond 

immediately,  it  requires  about  30  minutes  to  come  up  to 

speed from a cold start, and its sound will slightly improve 

over the next hour or so. I found that the DSi200 sounded 

good whether I had the power on 24/7 or not. The design 

of all power-supply components and MOSFETs are by ARC; 

they don’t come prepackaged from some other, OEM firm. 

And while ARC tends to shy away from calling the DSi200 a 

class-D amp, preferring instead the phrase switching amplifier, 

they admit that it is class-D... but with their own unique take 

on the technology. 

The DSi200’s preamplifier stage is purely passive; there are no 

outputs for connecting a separate power amp (or outboard 

headphone amp). The DSi200 is rated to offer 200Wpc into  

8 ohms or 300W into 4 ohms, with dynamic outputs of 400Wpc 

into 8 ohms or a whopping 800W into 4 ohms. These power 

specifications  are  no  doubt  aided  by  the  160,000µF  of 

capacitance  in  the  amply  specified  power  supply.  Output 

power is of little concern; the DSi200 can drive even the most 

power-hungry speakers. 

As noted, the DSi200 is fully balanced. It has two balanced and 

three single-ended inputs (one of which can be configured 

as a home-theater pass-through), heavy-duty five-way binding 

posts, and an IEC socket for the supplied power cord (or one 

of your choice) and the fuse holder. That’s all there is in back. 

A word of caution: When you hook up your components and 

speakers, pay close attention to the jacks and speaker binding 

posts. Likely because of the DSi200’s dual-mono design, these 

connections are mirror-imaged; it’s all too easy to hook things 

up wrong, something I learned the hard way. 

At 19”W x 5.25”H x 14.25”D and weighing 37.2 pounds, the 

DSi200 is a substantial piece of gear with the classic Audio 

Research good looks, especially in silver with rack handles 

— and therein lies the biggest outward difference. Instead 

of making the handles black, as has long been ARC’s wont, 

these are now the same color as the faceplate (the DSi200 is 

also available in black). My review sample came in silver with  

silver handles. 

The display looks very much like that of ARC’s LS26 preamp. 

Out  front,  from  left  to  right,  are  the  volume  knob,  a  teal-

green fluorescent display (it can be dimmed or turned off 

completely), and the input selector knob. Below the display 

are four buttons: Power, Mute, and two that you seldom see 

these  days  but  should:  Mono  and  Invert  (polarity,  which  I 

P r o d u c t   R e v i e w

by John Crossett 

johnc@soundstagenetwork.com 

 

www.soundstage.com