When Audio Research was founded in 1970, analog vinyl playback was the de facto music source of the time. Audio Research has built phono playback into preamplifiers or created stand-alone phono stages since the very beginning.

The knowledge gained in the creation of Audio Research’s latest award-winning Reference-series amplifiers has transitioned to both the Reference 6SE line-stage and the Reference Phono 3SE, elevating its performance dramatically. Ultra-high quality parts and design details usher in a new level of sonic accuracy and musicality.

The improvements in the latest REF Phono 3SE include enhanced resolution at all levels, greater purity and focus, improved transient speed and snap, and better dynamic. shading. The sum of these improvements is exceptional, further breaking down the barrier between reproduced sound and the immediacy of a live event.

The vacuum-tube audio stage utilizes six 6H30 vacuum tubes (three per channel), while a 6H30 and a 6550 provide partial tube regulation in the power supply.

The large, vacuum fluorescent display on the front panel shows all functions relative to the selected input. A row of six buttons controls power, mute, input, and menu controls.

Two inputs provide connectivity to two turntables or tonearms, with independent settings for each input. Other features include variable display brightness, an IR input, tube hour meter, and both balanced and single-ended outputs.