Предусилители — Audio Research Reference 6SE

The Reference 6SE is a valve preamplifier built in one chassis by Audio Research and the successor to the Reference 6. Its release date was 15 March 2021 at a price of USD 17,000. Compared with its predecessor it gains 18 new capacitors, entirely new internal wiring and a new 6550 valve in the power supply, and owners of a Reference 6 could have it upgraded to the SE version at the Audio Research facility for USD 3,000, a job taking a full working day.

Key specs that matter

Four balanced XLR inputs sit alongside four single-ended RCA inputs, and outputs consist of two main pairs plus one record output, each on XLR and RCA. Gain on the main outputs is 12 dB balanced and 6 dB single-ended, and the record output runs at 0 dB as a fixed level feed for a tape recorder or an analogue-to-digital converter. Input impedance is 120 kohm balanced and 60 kohm single-ended, and the main outputs present 600 ohm balanced or 300 ohm single-ended. Response is rated at 0.4 Hz to 200 kHz within plus 0 and minus 3 dB into a 200 kohm balanced load, distortion is below 0.01% at 2 V RMS on the balanced output. Residual equivalent input noise, IHF weighted and measured with the volume at step 1, is 1.7 microvolt RMS, which places it 109 dB below a 2 V balanced output. The case is 480 mm wide, 198 mm high and 419 mm deep, with handles projecting a further 4 cm, and it weighs 17 kg, the same size and weight as the earlier Reference 6.

Engineering and use context

The circuit uses one gain stage, fully balanced and operating in Class A without feedback. Six 6H30P dual triodes form the audio section, while one 6550WE and one 6H30P regulate the power supply. A resistor-ladder network provides 103 steps of attenuation. Rotary encoders handle volume and input selection, and separate buttons take care of power, menu, enter, mono, polarity invert and mute. Any input can be assigned as a processor passthrough. Mains versions are made for 100-135 V AC at 60 Hz or 200-250 V AC at 50/60 Hz, and consumption is 130 W in operation and 2 W in standby.

Pairing

RS-232, an IR input and a 12 V trigger input and output are provided for control and switching of other components. The supplied plastic remote handset covers volume, mute, polarity, source selection and display brightness.

Alternatives

The Audio Research Reference 10 is a two-chassis line stage with a separate power supply unit and seven inputs on both XLR and RCA.