Lavardin ISx Reference Integrated Amplifier France

The Lavardin ISx Reference is the refined evolution of the ISx – a fully analogue integrated amplifier from France with a reworked power supply and refined Memory-Free circuitry. The power stays the same, the resolution doesn't.

Why the ISx Reference?

For its Reference models, Lavardin doesn't take the usual route of more watts, but of better components and a quieter power supply. For the ISx Reference that means: the same 2×50 watts as the base model, but a power supply and circuit layout that gives the Memory-Free technology more room to breathe. If you already know and like the ISx, you get the same basic character here – just with noticeably more resolution in the quiet passages.

What you hear

Compared with the ISx, the soundstage feels wider, details stand out more sharply without sounding analytical, and the micro-dynamics – the fine volume fluctuations within a single note – gain resolution. The overall character stays neutral and undramatic: no tube warmth, but no transistor harshness either. Exactly the balance Lavardin has pursued for years.

Who is the ISx Reference for? (and who isn't it for)

For listeners who already like the ISx but want a bit more refinement from their chain without changing the wattage or the format. Plain talk: if you can't or don't want to hear the difference to the ISx in a direct comparison, you're better off saving the extra cost – the base version is already remarkably musical.

Our verdict

An amplifier for customers who know what they want: the same Lavardin philosophy, just with the handbrake released a notch. Not a must-have, but an honest, comprehensible step up – and with the optional red front panel, a small visual statement too.

Technical data

• Power: 2× 50 W RMS at 8 Ω, max. 2× 104 W at 2 Ω
• Inputs: 4× RCA, gold-plated, input sensitivity 330 mV
• Input impedance: 10 kΩ
• Distortion: 0.005% at full output
• Power consumption: 32 W in standby, max. 180 W
• Options: MM phono input, bypass input for AV preamp, remote volume control, red front panel at no extra cost
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 430 × 80 × 340 mm
• Weight: 6.5 kg

Frequently asked questions

What sets the ISx Reference apart from the standard ISx?

Not the power – that stays identical at 2× 50 watts – but the power supply and circuit details. The Reference resolves more finely, sounds a touch wider in the soundstage, and feels more mature in the micro-dynamics, while keeping the same neutral basic character as the ISx.

Is the ISx Reference also available in red?

Yes, the red front panel is a free factory option on the Reference model over the standard black finish. Both versions are technically identical, the colour is purely a matter of taste – just let us know your preference when ordering and we'll build it accordingly for you.

Is the extra cost over the ISx worth it?

That depends on the rest of your chain. On high-resolution speakers in a quiet listening environment, the difference is clearly audible; on simpler chains, less so. The most honest way to judge is a direct comparison at our place.

Why buy the Lavardin ISx Reference at HD Zürisee?

We know the whole ISx range from our own experience and will tell you honestly whether the extra cost of the Reference version is worth it for your system. Get in touch by phone, WhatsApp or email, and we'll talk about your speakers and your room.

Goes well with

High-resolution floorstanding speakers suit the ISx Reference just as well as compact bookshelf speakers; for the power supply it's worth a look at our power cable range.