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.