Tubes in the 21st century

When Audio Research was founded in 1970 by Bill Johnson, he had one goal in mind: to advance the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. Today, Audio Research remains true to its roots as a performance-oriented company driven by proven philosophies and superior design. Many industry observers consider Audio Research one of the true originators of the concept of “high-end” audio, offering an unsurpassed level of performance that can easily be heard and appreciated by all.

A core tenet of Audio Research remains our exceptional service. We take pride in stocking a vast array of electronic parts and components necessary to repair, refurbish or restore to original performance most products manufactured during our 50+ year history. We have a talented crew of service technicians to keep Audio Research products sounding their best. Our designs continue to provide exceptional musical enjoyment daily in music systems around the world. They are not discarded; they are passed on to the next proud owner. These pieces are workhorses, not museum pieces.

Demo Models Are Now Available In-Store For Testing.

Reference 6SE Line-Stage

Preamplifier

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.

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Reference 160S

Stereo Power Amplifier

The Reference 160S stereo power amplifier follows in the footsteps of the internationally acclaimed REF160M monoblock power amplifier, which has won multiple amplifier-of the-year honors from publications such as Stereophile, Hi-Fi+, and others.

REF160S carries-over the stunning look of the 160M, with dual GhostMeters™ that float in front of the eight KT150 output power tubes. Also continued is the the feature set introduced in the 160M, including a proprietary auto-bias circuit, switchable Triode or Ultralinear modes of operation, balanced and single-ended inputs, and an output tube monitoring mode. The 160S also uses a four-layer circuit board, allowing music to emanate from a jet-black background

With a weight of 100 lbs. the REF160S distills the astonishing resolution, dynamic impact, musical purity and finesse of the 160M into one beautiful and attainable chassis. It was designed for the music lover in all of us.

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Reference 160M MkII

Monoblock Power Amplifier

The Reference 160M MkII Monoblock Power Amplifier is a central pillar in the Audio Research range of Reference Amplifiers. It features a refined audio topology with fewer and better components in the signal-path than in previous designs, switchable Ultralinear/Triode operation, proprietary auto-bias, output tube monitoring and protection, and much more. This array of features has never been offered before in an Audio Research amplifier, but has now been adopted across the product range.

While the trademark GhostMeter™ serves as a window to the output tubes, it also incorporates an innovative power output meter with distinctively etched markings that create an integrated display with adjustable brightness. Four KT150 output tubes and two 6H30 driver tubes form the core of the audio circuit. The power supply stage uses a newly developed High Energy Capacity Transformer and a hefty bulk storage-capacity network to provide extremely high current on demand for transient peaks and intense dynamics, as well as for prodigious bass depth and authority.

It is understood that the best path is the shortest path. A 4-layer circuit board serves as the platform of the ultra-high grade and custom-made components that comprise this short but potent audio pathway. The result is a new benchmark in musicality in every criterion of performance.

REF160M MkII also features a proprietary auto-bias circuit that works with various tubes types, including 6550, KT88, and KT120, in addition to the supplied KT150 and works constantly to maintain precise bias of the output tubes, while also adjusting for tube wear. There is no need to check or adjust bias ever again. The new REF 160M MkII breaks new ground sonically, aesthetically and operationally, and is available in Natural (Silver) or Black finishes.

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I/50

Integrated Amplifier

I/50 combines sublime performance and simplicity while accommodating a variety of musical sources in a single elegant package. Hand-crafted in Minnesota, the I/50 is built with the same attention to detail as all other Audio Research products – each one is bench-tested twice and gets its own listening test with sound engineer Warren Gehl.

The foundation is an all-tube amplification circuit using two matched sets of 6550 power tubes, fed by 6922 input tubes. The traditional combination of power and grace for which Audio Research is renowned is instantly recognizable even in this compact model. Challenge the I/50 and be surprised by its depth of bass and dynamic expression. Two LexieTubes® provide display information for input selection and volume.

Three single-ended inputs and one XLR input provide connectivity for your analog components, along with 4 and 8 Ohm speaker taps to accommodate your speaker of choice. One input can even be assigned for pass-through function. A full-function metal remote control provides further convenience and ease. An optional tube cage is available. Optional DAC and Phono modules round out your ability to include all your favorite recordings and listening styles. The AKM Velvet Sound DAC chip facilitates high resolution formats over USB, Optical, Coax, and even upsampling Bluetooth. Combined with the I/50’s output stage, the result is finely graded resolution, but also authenticity of tone and purity that is rarely heard outside of the finest reference gear. The I/50 has earned high acclaim for its ability to communicate musical intent and flow at a reasonable price and do so with a wide variety of partnering loudspeaker brands.

The optional Phono module offers 42dB of gain to support Moving Magnet and a generous array of quality High Output Moving Coil cartridges to help you build a high-performance analog system with I/50 as the heart. The ability of the I/50 to reconstruct a musical experience will thrill and excite all who hear it. The I/50 is a fully integrated product while providing true Audio Research performance and sound quality.