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The Audio Research Reference 6 is a flagship vacuum tube line preamplifier designed to deliver exceptional sonic transparency, dynamic range, and musicality. It features a fully balanced, class-A circuit topology with no feedback, utilizing six 6H30P dual triode tubes in the audio section and a robust power supply with a 6550WE and an additional 6H30P. The Reference 6 offers four balanced and four unbalanced inputs, assignable via a front-panel menu, and three sets of outputs (two main, one record), both balanced and unbalanced. Its chassis is constructed from thick, machined aluminum for rigidity and resonance control, and it includes a microprocessor-controlled, 103-step resistor-ladder volume control for precise adjustments. The Reference 6 is lauded for its improved bass control, dimensionality, and overall refinement compared to its predecessor, the Reference 5SE. It comes with a comprehensive remote control and features such as automatic volume reset, tube-hour counter, display brightness adjustment, auto shutdown, and home theater integration. The Reference 6 has been discontinued and replaced by the Reference 6SE, but remains highly regarded in the audiophile community.
Amplification power output and characteristics
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
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Estimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
Components that show up alongside the Reference 6 in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The Reference 5SE's thd is 0.010% against the Reference 6's 0.500% and its input sensitivity 2.0V RMS against 1.0V RMS. Both share power @ 8ω (2W) and output voltage (2.0V RMS).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The Reference 1's power @ 8ω is 90W against the Reference 6's 2W, its thd 0.015% against 0.500%, and its output voltage 4.0V RMS against 2.0V RMS. Both share input sensitivity (1.0V RMS).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The VTM-200's power @ 8ω is 200W against the Reference 6's 2W and its input sensitivity 1.7V RMS against 1.0V RMS. Both share thd (0.500%) and input impedance (200000Ω).
The Envy's power @ 8ω is 8W against the Reference 6's 2W and its output voltage 5.0V RMS against 2.0V RMS. Both share thd (0.500%) and input sensitivity (1.0V RMS).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
Conrad Johnson ART MkII
McIntosh C2500
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