Audio research reference anniversary edition line stage

The unit's voltage is 230V/50Hz.

When it is turned on, the vacuum-fluorescent display will read “Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier 1970-1971” and it will begin to count up, year by year, until it reads 1970-2010. At the end of the cycle the display returns to normal, indicating volume, source, BAL/SE, and mute. As on other current Reference products, the display can be dimmed or turned off, with nine small pixels lit as a reminder that the unit is powered on.

The audio circuit is what you would expect from Audio Research: all-tube, pure Class-A triode, with zero feedback. For the fist time, the audio gain circuit is dual-mono and uses eight 6H30 triodes, four in each channel. The first thing you will notice in the audio control chassis are four custom Teflon® coupling capacitors, each weighing more than two pounds. Teflon bypass capacitors are mounted on the bottom of the main board.

The dual-mono power supply has separate low and high voltage transformers for each channel, separate vacuum-tube regulation (6550C and 6H30) of each channel, and tremendous energy storage for each channel, insuring unrivalled dynamic headroom. Multiple stages of electronic regulation of low- and high-voltage supplies are used. Separate umbilical cords for each channel attach the power supply chassis to the audio chassis. A single 20-amp IEC detachable power cord connects the A.C. to the power supply. All critical components are custom designed and manufactured solely for Audio Research.

Connectivity is typically flexible, with six sets of BAL/SE inputs provided, plus a unity- gain pass-through input. There are two pairs of BAL/SE main outputs along with a Monitor (record) output. 12-volt triggers are included for remote turn-on.

TUBE COMPLEMENT

(8) 6H30P, plus (2 each) 6550C and 6H30P in power supply.