Audio Research

Audio Research is one of the oldest continually operating manufacturers in American audio.The company was founded in 1970 in Minneapolis with one goal in mind: to advance the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. Today, Audio Research remains a performance-oriented company by philosophy and design. New product introductions are driven only by genuine advances in technology and performance -- the HIGH DEFINITION that is the hallmark of the company's products. The company has grown steadily over the last quarter-century, with a network of top audio specialist retailers across North America and country-by-country distributors throughout Europe, Asia and South America.The company occupies a 48,000 square-foot, technically-advanced production plant and administrative headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota, where approximately 50 technical, assembly and support staff guide the product line from concept to finished goods. A research-only facility has also been established in Palm Desert, California.

Audio Research was instrumental in refocusing the audio industry on designing products for musical performance, and not merely for the sake of new technology or mass-market pricing. Audio Research was founded by William Z. Johnson, who began designing custom audio electronics in the early 1950's and who also operated a specialty audio retail store until the mid-1960's. Johnson's efforts almost single-handedly revived vacuum-tube designs at a time when major industry manufacturers had abandoned this technology in favor of low-cost solid-state devices which were markedly inferior in terms of musical accuracy, a fact widely acknowledged today. Many industry observers consider Johnson one of the true originators of the entire concept of "high-end" audio as it exists today -- an area of technological expertise in which American companies remain the clear innovators and leaders on a global scale.

Audio Research prides itself on manufacturing only those products which will provide genuine enjoyment for as long as the customer cares to own them. In company practice, this means that Audio Research technicians can still repair, refurbish and restore to original performance standards, any product ever manufactured during the company's quarter-century history. Indeed, 25-year-old Audio Research designs continue to provide exceptional musical enjoyment daily in music systems around the world. These products are workhorses, not museum pieces.

Audio Research products have demonstrated lasting residual value after purchase. More than a few models have acquired legendary "collector" status and continue to resell for as much or close to what they originally cost. The Audio Research customer does not have to fear instant, marked depreciation as is the case with most other audio components. Used Audio Research equipment is quickly absorbed on the open market because savvy enthusiasts know the company is interested in providing service and support for older models on an ongoing basis.

Much more than a mere carriage-trade brand name, the Audio Research marque has come to represent stellar performance and lasting value for music lovers and audio enthusiasts everywhere.

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• stereo power amplifier

DS450

The DS450 stereo power amplifier is the second member of the "Definition Series" from Audio Research. With a muscular 450 WPC into 8 ohms and stunning sonic performance, the DS450 provides high performance, high efficiency and high value.

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• preamplifier

Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier

The Audio Research team thought long and hard about how to commemorate and continue this track record on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. It would have to be a product so special in its design, so groundbreaking in its performance, as to be regarded appropriately as a true “Anniversary Edition.”

To that end, Audio Research is pleased to announce the Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier – a product that combines the best of our knowledge and experience gained through the decades in order to provide you with an experience of recorded music that eclipses anything you have heard before. The Anniversary Edition will be available for only one year, Audio Research’s 40th. One look and one listen will establish it as the best value in its exalted class.

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• CD Player-Transport

CD5

The CD5 was designed for one purpose, to play back compact discs with a stunning level of resolution, dynamics and musical naturalness. It is a remarkable digital turntable for your compact discs, drawing you into the music and keeping your attention as you listen to one disc after another.


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• Vacuum Tube CD Player-Transport

Reference CD8

We are proud to introduce a model that may be the most musical and musically accurate single-chassis compact disc player, the Reference CD8. It replaces a product that was still garnering five-star reviews three years after its introduction, the esteemed Reference CD7.


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• Integrated Stereo Amplifier

DSi200

The DSi200 is our first product in the "Definition Series" showcasing a new technology that offers extremely high performance and value. Based on an advanced new design created entirely from the ground up by our engineering team, the DSi200 is built in-house by our own craftspeople.

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• VT Integrated Stereo Amplifier

VSi60

The VSi60 clearly proves that you do not have to spend a fortune to enjoy truly great sound at home. Built by hand in Plymouth, Minnesota, to the same exacting standards as our renowned Reference series, the VSi60 offers remarkable sound quality and value.


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• Class-A Vacuum Tube Stereo Line Preamplifier

LS17

With the REF3 redefining what is possible in ultimate preamplifier performance and the LS26 creating a new performance benchmark in a slightly smaller package, we are very proud to introduce the LS17, a new preamplifier offering much of their performance and musicality in a more affordable package.


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• Class-A Full-Function Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

SP17/17L

The SP17 brings much of the performance offered by its acclaimed and more expensive siblings to a price range that is within reach of many music lovers.


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• Class-A Vacuum Tube Stereo Line Preamplifier

LS26

After the REF3 was introduced we were regularly asked when there might be a less expensive preamp with the magic that so captivated everyone who heard the REF3. Hearing the new REF3 made it very difficult to go back to any other preamp. Well, thanks to trickle-down technology, the LS26 is here and it is simply stunning in its musical presentation.


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• Hybrid Stereo Phono Preamplifier

PH5

The PH3 and PH3 Special Edition have been incredibly popular since their introduction in 1995 and 1998. It is hard to believe that these wonderful phono stages have been in our lineup, unchanged, for nine and six years, respectively. But with the analog renaissance showing no signs of diminishing, we feel it is time again to advance the state-of-the-art in moderately priced phono preamplification. We are proud to introduce the remarkable new PH5 which will replace both the PH3 and PH3SE.


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• Hybrid Stereo Phono Preamplifier

PH7

With the much-lauded PH5 phono preamplifier, Audio Research set a new benchmark for phono performance and features at its modest price. Now, phono enthusiasts have a new and even higher performance option: the all-new PH7 stereo phono preamplifier.


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• Vacuum Tube Line-Stage Preamplifier

Reference 5

The REF 5 is the latest model in a series of the finest and most successful line-stage preamplifiers ever made. From the REF1 to the REF2 to the REF3 to the REF5, each one has built upon the legacy of its predecessor as the most sought-after reference level line-stage preamplifier. The REF5 clearly redefines the state of the art at a price that is not inexpensive but represents extraordinary value. Like every Audio Research product, it is made by hand by craftspeople in our facility in Minnesota.

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• Vacuum Tube Phono Preamplifier

Reference Phono 2

After our original Reference Phono preamplifier was discontinued in 2005, the demand for a Reference-level successor never declined. Not satisfied with introducing a replacement that would be incrementally better, we were determined to develop an all-new vacuum-tube phono preamplifier that would truly advance the state of the art. Years of development have come to fruition and we are proud to introduce the fully balanced Reference Phono 2.

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• Multichannel Preamplifier

MP1

In 1970 the SP-1 stereo preamplifier broke new ground in the high resolution playback of stereo music recordings. A generation later, the MP1 breaks new ground in the high-resolution playback of multichannel music recordings, having been created in response to the proliferation of multichannel SACD and DVD-A players which output six analog channels. The MP1 will be appreciated by the most discriminating music lovers, offering control flexibility and an extraordinarily high level of performance which is simply not available from other multichannel analog or digital products.

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• Digital-to-Analog Converter with USB

DAC7

With the growth of the iTunes culture and the increasing popularity of storing music on a hard drive, we were asked repeatedly to offer a USB DAC that could connect with Macs, PCs and servers to deliver a new benchmark in high resolution digital music playback. We listened, and after more than a year in development we are excited to introduce the DAC7 digital-to-analog converter. With an affordable price and extraordinary sonic attributes, we expect this product to be immensely successful.

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• VT Amplifier, Stereo

VS60

The new VS60 clearly proves that you do not need to spend a fortune to enjoy truly great sound at home. Built by hand in Plymouth, Minnesota, to the same exacting standards as our renowned Reference series, the VS60 offers remarkable sound quality and value.

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• VT Amplifier, Stereo

VS15

The VS115 revisits the classic look of the VS110 with its open architecture and natural anodized top plate – now more ventilated for better heat dissipation. Drawing upon the successful REF110 input stage design, the VS115 uses a FET input with two 6H30 triodes in each channel for gain and as a cathode follower-driver for the 6550C-equipped output stage. This allows both balanced and single-ended connections in a true differential topology yielding a much wider power bandwidth (110kHz in contrast to 40kHz for the VS110). There is a new power transformer, and power output from the four matched pair of 6650C output tubes is 120WPC, providing excellent drive and control. Bias test points for each output tube are located on the rear panel, along with a 12V trigger which allows remote turn-on. A heavy 20-amp IEC detachable cord conducts the A.C. supply.

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• Stereo Power Amplifier

SD135

The SD135 is an entirely new amplifier for Audio Research involving a new mix of discrete devices within the framework of a pure analog, solid-state design.

Like the larger HD220, the new SD135 ("SD" for "Silicon Drive") uses Thermal Trak® self-biasing output devices in a Class A-B design. And like the HD220, it accommodates either single-ended or balanced inputs. But unlike the larger hybrid, the SD135 features an all-solid-state input stage using multiple JFET devices in each channel, directly driving the output stage – no interstage coupling capacitors needed. Because expensive coupling capacitors and high voltage regulated supplies required in tube circuits can be omitted, the SD135 is within reach of many more music-lovers.

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• Hybrid Stereo Power Amplifier

HD220

Whether tube or solid-state, power amplifier designs from Audio Research have always emphasized the key criteria of musicality, lifelike dynamics and realistic soundstaging. Whichever technology was used was intended to serve these priorities in the music reproduction chain.

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• Vacuum Tube Stereo Power Amplifier

Reference 110

A major  reason that our Reference products have been so successful is that each offers great value-the remarkable performance each provides had simply not been available near its price. Now, the Reference 110 will redefine expectations and value in a truly state-of-the-art stereo amplifier. It is perfect for anyone who does not require the high power provided by our larger monoblock Reference amplifiers.

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• Vacuum Tube Monaural Power Amplifier

Reference 210

Following the successful introduction of the Reference 610T, it is time for a more affordable, compact amplifier to fill the void left by the discontinuation of the VTM200 and REF300MKII. We are pleased to announce the introduction of the new Reference 210 monoblock, a product which will allow a greater number of music lovers access to the Reference series of amplifiers.

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• Vacuum Tube Monaural Power Amplifier Tower

Reference 610T

When the Reference 600 Power Amplifier was introduced in 1995 it set a new standard for High Definition® in music reproduction. In every meaningful category, the Reference 600 - 300 amplifier series remained at the pinnacle of audiophile performance. Now the REF600-300 legacy continues with a new flagship from Audio Research: the Reference 610T monoblock.

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