Discover why Audio Research enjoys a long tradition of producing the finest preamplifiers in the world.

In 1973, the SP3 was hailed by every major critic as the best preamplifier available, and this pursuit has continued ever since. The Reference Series from Audio Research was first introduced in 1995 and has been the ultimate expression of performance, musicality and dynamics.

Reference preamps have awakened countless listeners to the irreplaceable contribution of a great preamp to a system’s final performance. The Reference 6SE is the latest chapter in our story.

The Reference 6SE delivers the highest performance ever available in a single-chassis preamplifier.

Benefitting from research that went into the Reference 160-series amplifiers, and the Reference 750SEL amplifier, the 6SE incorporates a myriad of new components that have been judiciously incorporated into its design.

With a single gain stage, the 6SE is a fully-balanced, Class-A design with zero feedback.

In addition to six long-life 6H30 tubes in the gain stage, the enormous and highly-regulated power supply has another 6H30 with a 6550, typically found as an output tube in a power amplifier, providing vacuum-tube regulation.

The 6SE stands on the shoulders of prior Reference preamplifiers and the latest ARC power amplifiers from which innovations were taken. As such, it forms the foundational circuit for other preamplification products such as the Reference Phono 3SE.

Regardless of the recording, in stepping up into a Reference preamplifier, the sonic gains are immediate and compelling. Effortless, dynamic, and dimensional. The speed and resolution merge with musical color and textures that are both accurate and captivating.

Low bass extension and heft from the 6SE reveal just how much bottom end reach is left to be desired in lesser designs. New 6SE owners revel in the potential that can now be tapped in their existing power amplifier’s and loudspeaker’s performance.

Hear for yourself why so many listeners consider the Reference 6SE to be the indispensable core of a world-class performance audio system.