SLI 80
Integrated tube amplifier
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This month we are featuring a product that has been with us for a long time, the SLI 80. It has received rave reviews from magazines and customers alike since its inception back in 1999. It is still made the same way it was back then: point-to-point wiring, done one at a time, by hand. Point to point wiring means all components are soldered directly to the sockets of the tubes and to other components resulting in shorter wiring and a simpler layout. This is how nearly all audio systems were built at the dawn of stereo over 50 years ago, and this method is still preferred today by many audiophiles. Here are some photos that show what goes into the production of the SLI 80.
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Construction begins with a heavy gauge bare steel chassis. This provides the sturdy base for all the components and massive transformers. The bare chassis is sent out to be powder coated in textured black as a standard SLI 80 chassis.
In addition, all of our vacuum tube amplifiers, including the wonderful SLI 80, can be custom ordered in one of many different automotive finishes. If there is a 4 digit color code for the color you want, we can paint it
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Here is detail of the chassis painted in Anthracite black finish. Metallic silver lettering is applied to this custom painted chassis.
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Medium Fresos Blue chassis with black lettering.
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The chassis in Carnival Red Mica Pearl Metallic is one of the most stunning colors we offer. It is a deep red color with flecks of pearl that refract all the colors of the rainbow.
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The first stage of assembly is mounting all the hardware, sockets, jacks and plugs. Ceramic sockets with silver plated pins are used throughout for superior conductivity and insure a solid connection to the tubes.
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All transformers are potted with silicon impregnated wax. Poured in at over 400°F, it fills all voids between the transformer and case to provide a solid foundation and to prevent any transformer vibration from reaching the chassis and tubes.
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Nadine is in the process of wiring the chassis and "stuffing" it with parts. Her meticulous attention to detail is required to be sure that all components are installed and soldered correctly. That's easy for her... she has been building SLI 80s since they were introduced 10 years ago.
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After several hours, this SLI 80 is ready to go. After burn in and quality control, it's off to shipping and its eventual owner.
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SLI 80 Specifications 
