audio research Reference 3 High Definitition Tube Preamplifier

Considered the 'Gold Standard' of audio gear by some, Audio Research has led the way into a realm of audio realism that set the standard to follow. The Reference 3 Preamp is one of their greatest achievements. This is an excellent example of one. Its a one owner (dare I say flawless) piece. Lets just say that upon close inspection it is "without flaw". Its a borderline 10 if its wasn't used.

Just one reviewers experience I couldn't pass up sharing....

"The truly great components I've experienced have grabbed me immediately, and from the first note I heard through the ARC Reference 3 it was evident that... it would prove to be a paradigm-shifting component. From the get-go, the Ref.3 presented unprecedented amounts of information organized in a way previously unknown to me. With the first CD I played, there seemed to be so much going on, and in such a deep and richly detailed sonic picture, that I wanted to "look everywhere" at once. It took a while before I was able to focus on specifics." (Thanks Paul)

Description: Tubed, remote-controlled line preamplifier with full sets of balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs, and Processor Loop. Tube complement: four 6H30P dual triodes, plus one 6550C and one 6H30P for power-supply regulation. Maximum voltage gain: main output (single-ended or balanced input), 11.6dB; balanced output, 5.6dB single-ended output. Frequency response: 0.2Hz–200kHz , +0/–3dB, at rated output (balanced, 200k ohms load). Distortion: