Tube Preamp Reviews

Description: Fully balanced hybrid preamplifier. Tube complement: four 6H30 dual triodes. Frequency response: Line: 2Hz–80kHz, ±3dB. Phono: 10Hz–20kHz, ±0.1dB of RIAA; 5Hz–80kHz, ±0.4dB. Headphone: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.05dB. THD+noise: Line: <0.003% at 2V RMS, balanced output. Phono: <0.005% at 3V RMS output to Record Out. Headphone: <0.009% at 1V RMS output. Gain: Line: 13.8dB. Processor: 0dB. Phono: 58dB at 1kHz to Record Out. Headphone: 11.3dB. Noise: Line: <–101dBV volume at max. Phono: <–77dBV to Record Out. Headphone: <–88dBV volume at max. Channel Separation: Line: >105dB, balanced output. Phono: >76dB to Record Out. Headphone: >62dB. Signal/noise: Line: >125dB, balanced output. Phono: >94dB to Record Out. Headphone: >110dB. Maximum input: Line: 19V RMS balanced, 9V RMS single-ended. Phono: 70mV RMS at 1kHz. Input impedance: 120k ohms balanced, 60k ohms single-ended. Phono impedance: 100, 200, 500, 1k or 47k ohms in parallel with 200pF, unbalanced. Rated outputs: Line: 2V RMS (1V RMS single-ended) into 200k ohms balanced load (maximum balanced output capability is 18V RMS at less than 0.5% THD+N at 1kHz). Phono: 0.5V RMS into 100k load at Record Out (maximum output capability is 25V RMS). Headphone: 6V RMS maximum into 30–300 ohms. Output impedance: 500 ohms balanced, 250 ohms single-ended; 1k ohm Record Out, single-ended; <0.05 ohm Headphone, single-ended. Output polarity: non-inverting.
Dimensions: 19" (480mm) W by 5.25" (134mm) H by 16.5" (420mm) D. Weight: 17.8 lbs (7.4kg) net, 27.8 lbs (10.5kg) shipping.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 53407302.
Price: $9000. Approximate number of dealers: 55.
Manufacturer: Audio Research Corporation, 3900 Annapolis Lane N., Plymouth, MN 55447-5447. Tel: (763) 577-9700. Fax: (763) 577-0323. Web: www.audioresearch.com.