Audio Research Reference 10 Line Stage

Our ultimate preamplifier Audio Research has made history with industry-landmark preamplifier designs such as the SP3 in 1973, and again in 2010 with the Reference Anniversary preamplifier. In particular, The Reference Anniversary was a special limited-edition product commemorating our 40th year. At the time, it was acclaimed by many as the finest preamplifier available and a fitting tribute to all the classic Audio Research products that were introduced since the company’s birth. We were met with disbelief that we would only accept orders for this special product during the anniversary year, yet we considered the limited time frame appropriate. But in the years that followed, research and advancement inexorably reached further. The result is the best preamplifier Audio Research has yet devised, the Reference 10 line stage. Dual mono topology REF10 accesses power via a single 20A power cord. After that, it is completely dual-mono from the power supply through the audio circuit. There are dual, separate low- and high-voltage transformers for each channel; there is dual-mono vacuum-tube regulation (one 6H30 and one 6550 per channel), dual-mono audio circuits (four 6H30 per channel), and enough energy storage for a serious power amplifier. Key Audio Research design traits remain: The signal path is fully discrete, all-tube, pure Class-A, with zero feedback. Other attributes and choices remain, too: Each unit is completely hand-soldered and hand-constructed in our Minnesota facility using the finest materials, with major components such as custom transformers, plated-through circuit boards, and casework sourced locally. All engineering is performed in-house.   Experience the life-sized scale offered by our statement preamplifier. REF10 unleashes the full dimension and natural weight of recordings both large and small in scope. The deepest sub-bass is fully rendered, whether from the lowest instruments or architectural queues from the building in the recording itself. Never pushed or overblown, the ease of the largest ensembles thunders and rolls through your room as heard live. The inner-most timbre and grain structure of voices and instruments build upon this with a level of quietness, authenticity, and polish that must be heard to be believed. Even tiny spatial queues specific to each recording venue are beautifully resolved. Such a rich signal is what amplifiers hunger for to be at their very best. There is no substitute.   The Power Supply The power supply chassis, connected to the main unit via two umbilical cords, simply has one green LED under its offset Audio Research logo. All of the side panels are finished identically to the front panels: Natural anodized, one quarter-inch thick, with no screws visible. The entire chassis (including rear panel) is painted silver to complete the look. There are beautiful clear acrylic covers with a revised perforation pattern.     Simply stunning performance Just as the Reference Anniversary was shockingly better than its predecessors, the Reference 10 offers a further level of resolution, refinement and dynamism that vividly improve the musical experience in every way. As we have said before, words can only fall short of your own experience; to understand how much more profound listening to your favorite recordings can be, you must hear the Reference 10. REFERENCE 10 SYSTEM WITH REF330M TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Frequency Response +0 -3dB 0.1Hz to 200kHz at rated output. (BALANCED, 200k ohms load.) Distortion Less than .006% at 2V RMS Balanced output Gain Main output (SE or BAL input)12dB Balanced output, 6dB Single Ended output. Tape output: 0dB. (Processor input: 0dB Balanced) Input Impedance 120K ohms Balanced, 60K ohms SE, Inputs (7): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, PROCESSOR. (XLR and RCA connectors). Output Impedance 600 ohms Balanced, 300 ohms SE main (2), 20K ohms minimum load and 2000pF maximum capacitance. Outputs (3): 2 main, 1 tape (XLR and RCA connectors). Output Polarity Non-inverting Maximum Input 20V RMS maximum Balanced, (10V RMS SE) Rated Outputs 2V RMS (1V RMS SE) into 200K ohm balanced load (maximum balanced output capability is 30V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1kHz) Crosstalk -80dB or better at 1kHz Controls Volume (104 steps). Push Buttons: Power, Mute, Interactive Touch Panel. Rear RS-232 control and IR input Power Supplies Electronically regulated low and high voltage supplies. Automatic 40 sec. warm-up/brown-out mute. Line regulation better than .01%. Noise 1.7uV RMS residual IHF weighted balanced equivalent input noise with volume at 1 (109dB below 2V RMS output.) Tube Complement (8)-6H30P dual triodes, plus (2 each) 6550C and 6H30P in power supply Power Requirements 100-135VAC 60Hz (200-270VAC 50/60Hz) 235 watts maximum. Standby 0.8 watts. Dimensions Width 19” (48 cm); Height 7” (17.8 cm) (standard rack panel)