Audio research ref 3 preamplifier schematic
LOG IN. Category: Preamps My wife calls me a luddite--someone who only begrudgingly adopts newer technologies. I like to consider myself circumspect, not one for the flavors and fashions of the moment, I choose to commit to things proven through time. And why not? Wasn't it the relentless self-serving promotion that cursed us with digital and nearly killed a clearly superior vinyl format? I've always felt that audiophiles are victims of this promotional phenomenon
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Audio Research launches Reference 80S power amplifier
KEF R Loudspeakers. KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers. Focal Sopra No2 Loudspeakers. Cocktail Audio X40 Music Server. Paradigm Founder Series F Loudspeakers. Yamaha A-S Integrated Amplifier. Bryston B Cubed Integrated Amplifier. Accuphase C Preamplifier. The list of high-end-audio companies more storied and more reputable than Audio Research Corporation is short. After the units of the limited-edition 40 were sold, its cost-no-object features were trickled down to the Ref 5 SE.
At its heart, the Reference 5 SE is a fully balanced, zero-feedback, class-A triode preamplifier that uses four 6H30 tubes in its single-gain analog stage, and one 6H30 and one tube in the power supply. However, when your listening room is as small as mine is, living with a class-A amp is like living in an oven -- most of the power they generate is dissipated as heat.
Additionally, single-ended tube amps produce none of the bass depth, impact, or power that other class-A or good solid-state amps can. Given my predilection for the sound of single-ended tubes and my knowledge of their limitations, I think that employing such circuitry just before a very good solid-state amp is a very good compromise indeed.
Additionally, the Ref 5 SE employs dual transformers: one toroid for the display and other non-audio circuits, and an R-core for the audio circuits. Both are mounted on the inner side panels.
Functionally, the Ref 5 SE is much like its predecessors: a remote-controlled, six-input line stage with home-theater bypass, line-level bypass for recording yay! But this is the real world; when properly executed, such features are a boon to the listening experience. In my irregularly shaped room, I had to adjust the balance a few notches to center the soundstage and get the proper depth.
Years ago, when I first listened to my Reference 3, I thought it was malfunctioning, so bad was the noise when the display was illuminated. Additionally, and perhaps even more important, the key coupling capacitors through which the audio signal directly passes have been upgraded to Teflon. The other changes from Ref 5 to Ref 5 SE are mostly cosmetic: round metal buttons on the front panel instead of clunky, square plastic ones; and a top plate of nonresonant polycarbonate rather than metal.
Finally, the Ref 5 SE requires hours of use to break in, which I attribute to the Teflon coupling capacitors -- in my experience, these always take an interminably long time to burn in before the dynamics and the retrieval of microdetails are fully realized.
Further, the two return-to-center knobs on the front panel, one for volume and the other for source selection, feel cheap. I focused on the music. Otherwise, the bass was ill-defined, recessed, and woolly -- as I found when I partnered the Ref 5 SE with the McIntosh Labs MC monoblocks, which have an input impedance of 20k ohms, balanced.
To my mind, any discussion of the sound of a tubed audio component must begin with its noise floor. Turning off the display caused the hiss to disappear, even when I placed an ear only inches from a tweeter.
This was a very quiet preamp. I was most pleased with the absolute level of detail the Ref 5 SE extracted from well-worn recordings. Here Nedelle sings to her limits of range and volume, and sometimes beyond; at the latter moments her voice starts to break up, and a very resolving system will reveal this so that we can hear what she felt just as she pulled back on her voice.
The Ref 5 SE got that first-scratch-in-the-larynx thing big time. The Ref 5 SE expanded on this with greater solidity of singers and instruments than I hear, for example, through my Ref 3, whose rendering of space is more billowy. When I had the same experience listening to a Grateful Dead concert recorded in the Olympia, in Paris, on May 4, -- before I was born -- I thought of what I offer non-audiophile acquaintances as an explanation of why I spend more on audio gear than on my car: My stereo will take me places no car can.
The Ref 5 SE sure took me to such places. I never heard the Reference 5, but the Ref 5 SE absolutely trounced the Ref 3 in dynamic contrast and freedom from congestion -- in those regards, the Ref 3 sounds downright wimpy in comparison. But the Ref 5 SE also demonstrated far greater control and depth in the bass. As the band ramps up to the climax, increasing in intensity and power, the Ref 5 SE never lost control of the kick drums or bass guitar, which fill out the bottom octaves and give the music its foundational heft -- nor did the ARC compress, harden, or lose stage definition as the volume ratchets higher.
The Ref 5 simply held it all together, letting the music fly with abandon. The final point that stood out with the Ref 5 SE was how absolutely complete it behaved when a note ended.
Except when compared to the Ref 5 SE, solid-state devices typically have it all over tubes when it comes to drive and moxie -- but at the cost of rushing through the performance, shortchanging the harmonic decays of voices and acoustic instruments piano, guitar, etc. The Ref 5 SE not only had drive and moxie, but when the tempo slowed and things trailed off into nothingness, there was simply more trailing off with the Ref 5.
This decay -- full of overtones, ambience, and woody resonances -- is the aural stuff of emotion, the negative space that makes the positive so much more meaningful. Frank Sinatra got this -- how he ended a note was as important to him as how he started it. Strings were also more extended, complex, and delineated with the Ref 5 SE, rather than the lovely but subdued and monochromatic top end usually heard from tubes, or the extension with a side order of grain often served up by solid-state gear.
I suspect that this was due to its battery-powered operation and vanishingly low noise floor. However, when it came to tone, space, soundstaging, and ergonomics, the Ref 5 SE was clearly superior.
While the Ref 5 SE never left me wanting more detail retrieval or tonality, the Ypsilon was clearly better at both, training an uncolored microscope on all aspects of the music. The fact that it does so for thousands less than the Ypsilon makes the Reference 5 SE something of a best buy in the super-preamp category.
Ryan Coleman ryanc soundstagenetwork. Warranty: Three years parts and labor; 90 days, tubes. Network Sites SoundStage! Network portal SoundStage! Access SoundStage! Australia SoundStage! Global SoundStage! Hi-Fi here SoundStage! Simplifi SoundStage! Solo SoundStage! Ultra SoundStage! UK SoundStage! See all of our videos in one spot.
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Audio Research unveils new vacuum tube amplifier, the Reference 80S
Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. ARC Reference 5 Posts: Location: Virginia Joined: May 1, Hide full thread outline!
Audio Research Reference Phono 10 Phono Preamplifier
The LS28SE line stage is a flexible and intuitive preamplifier. Four balanced and four single-ended inputs, and two sets of both balanced and single-ended outputs, allow maximum connectivity. The straightforward menu allows control of numerous parameters, including input naming, tube hours, auto shutdown, and home theater passthrough. Phase invert and mono are also standard functions. While the LS28SE is the perfect match for any Audio Research amplifier, it has been designed to work with nearly any amplifier on the market today. The improved clarity, resolution, transient snap, sense of space, and a relaxed purity are instantly noticeable and will inspire extended listening sessions. Since , High Definition has been more than our trademark; it has been our guiding principle for all products. The Foundation Series continues this passion and philosophy, offering the listener stunning playback, great value, and unparalleled long-term support. Available in Store Only.
Audio Research REF 10 line stage preamplifier
Class D amplifiers, first proposed in , have become increasingly popular in recent years. What are Class D amplifiers? How do they compare with other kinds of amplifiers? Why is Class D of interest for audio? Find the answers to all these questions in the following pages.
Audio Research Reference 3
Together with Stereo Exchange. Loaded with tons of features and featuring that unique and desirable signature ARC tube sound. The home theater bypass inputs allow the connection of an external home theater processor, bypassing the REF 3 volume control and allowing Unity Gain passthrough. Phono Note: The Phono input is a regular line level input only, requiring the the use of an external phono preamp. How is its presentation superior to the great products that have preceded it? Simply, in every way.
Audio Research Reference 5 SE (Black)preamplifier
Audio Research has released a new vacuum tube amplifier, called the Reference 80S. Read more: The best high-end amplifiers. The amplifier also features an auto-bias circuit that can make adjustments based on both tube age and powerline voltage swings. Head here for more info. Your wishlist is empty. View Wishlist. Cart 0.
Audio Research Reference Phono 10 — We really are proud to add Audio Research to our portfolio of products to offer our customers as not only are they one of the most respected and oldest companies trading today in HiFi but more importantly they produce some of the most musically engaging products available that constantly get glowing reviews worldwide. Based in the USA and known for their love of the use of Valves for the majority of their products Audio Research really do sum up everything that is great about Highend Audio offering beautifully made products that push the boundaries but they always put the music first and foremost so please come into HFL for a listen. Vinyl record playback has been an integral part of Audio Research since our founding in Even after the introduction of the compact disc in , phono sections remained a revered part of our preamplifiers.
What is the ARC recommended break-in? Still in the hour range as with other ARC products? I have not felt any downgrade of sound quality at this moment, just improvements. I am sure, you will be surprised with this upgrade.
After two years in development, the new Reference M REFM Monoblock Power Amplifier is built like no other, looks like no other, and sounds like no other amplifier that you have ever heard, but it is unmistakably Audio Research. This array of features has never been offered before in an Audio Research amplifier. The designers at Audio Research wanted to create a new style that would complement the look of the REF6 preamp while also featuring a transparent faceplate that allows a view of the glowing KT vacuum tubes. While this window allows you to see the output tubes, it also incorporates an innovative dual-layer construction with distinctively etched markings that create an integrated power meter. Your cart is empty It feels desperately alone Let's shop.
KEF R Loudspeakers. KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers. Focal Sopra No2 Loudspeakers.
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