Audio Research REF6SE Pre Amplifier – Silver

Here we have a high-end pre amplifier from American company Audio Research. The Reference 6SE is a purely analogue device with both balanced and unbalanced connections. Our example is in excellent condition and comes with original factory packaging along with remote control, manual, mains cable, screwdriver plus our standard three month warranty.
Only 16 months old.
Audio Research Say….
Audio Research has produced some of the finest components for music reproduction; this is especially true with regard to preamplifiers. In 1973, the SP3 was hailed by every major critic as the best preamplifier available, and this tradition of excellence has continued ever since. The Reference Series from Audio Research was first introduced in 1995 and has been the ultimate representation of performance, musicality and dynamics. The Reference 6SE is the latest chapter in our story.
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 providing vacuum-tube regulation.
The Reference 6SE replaces the Reference 6 and offers the highest performance ever available in a single-chassis preamplifier. Benefitting from the development that went into the Reference 160-series amplifiers, and the latest Reference 750SEL, the 6SE incorporates a myriad of new parts that have been judiciously incorporated into its design. The final 6SE would not have been possible without these revolutionary amplifiers.
Regardless of the recording, the improvement in sound is immediate and compelling. Effortless, dynamic, and dimensional. The speed and resolution merge with musical color and textures that are both accurate and captivating.
Specifications:
Frequency Response: +0-3 dB, 0.4 Hz to 200 kHz at rated output (Balanced, 200 kOhms load)
Distortion: Less than .01% at 2 V RMS BAL output
Gain: Main output: 12 dB Balanced output, 6 dB SE output. Record out: 0 dB (Processor input: 0 dB BAL output)
Input Impedance: 120 kOhms Balanced, 60 K ohms SE. Inputs: 4 balanced, 4 single-ended. Assignable processor passthrough
Output Impedance: 600 ohms Balanced, 300 ohms SE Main (2). 20 kOhms minimum load and 2000 pF maximum capacitance. Outputs (3): 2 main, 1 record out (XLR and RCA connectors)
Output Polarity: Non-inverting
Maximum Input: 18 V RMS BAL, 9 V RMS SE
Rated Outputs: 2 V RMS (1 V RMS SE) into 200 kOhm balanced load (maximum balanced output capability is 70 V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1 kHz)
Crosstalk: -88 dB or better at 1 kHz and 10 kHz
Controls: Rotary encoders: Volume (103 steps), Select Input. Push Buttons: Power, Menu, Enter, Mono, Invert, Mute
Power Supplies: Electronically regulated low and high voltage supplies. Automatic 45 sec. warm-up/brown-out mute. Line regulation better than 0.01%
Noise: 1.7 μV RMS residual IHF weighted balanced equivalent input noise with volume at 1 (109 dB below 2 V RMS output)
Tube Complement: (6)-6H30P dual triodes, plus (1 each) 6550WE and 6H30P in power supply
Power Requirements: 100-135 VAC 60 Hz (200-250 VAC 50/60 Hz) 130 watts. Standby: 2 watts
Dimensions: 480 (W) x 419 (D) x 198 (H) mm – Handles extend 4 cm forward of the front panel
Weight: 17.0 kg

To read a review from Hi-Fi News magazine please click here