Audio Research REF Phono2 (GNSC)

Hi All.

After 30 years of owning ARC tube electronics, I have decided to scale down onto a SS integrated. As a result, I am selling my entire ARC separates.

This listing is for a mint Reference Phono2 with GNSC reference upgrades. I am the original owner and was kept in a dedicated listening room, kid, smoke, pet free environment. Unit has a total of 2386hrs.

This unit was purchased from a dealer in Mississippi in 2010. It was sent to GNSC (Great Northern Sound Company) in the same year for the reference upgrade installation package.

Upgrades include: AC filtering on the main input, the power supply is beefed up with an additional board of black gate caps; the chassis has been fully damped (that on its own is significant), the entire signal path has been upgraded with premium Caddock resistors and ultra fast soft ecovery rectifiers have been installed in the power supply. The coupling caps (gold) are stock original ARC. Resistive loadings (7) are preset and remote controllable. The “custom” setting has been set to 150ohms

We have AB’d this unit several times in my system with a Ref Phono 2 SE of a good friend and each and every time people preferred the sonic attributes of this modded version. The noise floor is much lower, the sound stage is wider and deeper, traces of grain have all disappeared and the level of details within a recording is much improved and really astonishing. If you have the funds available you can buy a REF Phono3. If not, this one will suit your listening pleasure i can absolutely guarantee it.

While it is certainly possible to modify almost any piece of audio gear, GNSC worked only on equipment (Wadia, ARC, Resolution Audio, and others) that can attain a high level of musicality. The combination of carefully chosen parts and attention to details in every aspect of the implementation process is the key to sonic success. Simply using the most expensive parts in the world may not guarantee a satisfying musical end result.

This unit will ship in its original carton. Included is the remote control (never taken out of its wrapping), the stock 20A AC cable and the owner’s manual. Also included in the unit are 2 HIFI Tuning fuses.

Tubes included (5) are the venerable military grade Reflektor 6H30P-DR with date code 11-85 and 09-86 with only 1812hrs on them. The 6550 is the stock SED winged C tubes that came with the unit. This tube has approx. 1000hrs as I was using a vintage Tungsol black plate that failed a few months ago and I re-installed the SED at that point. I will also include the 5 ARC Sovtek 6H30P with 574hrs. I will also include the tube damping rings from Herbie’s audio lab.

Shipping is included at my asking price. Please add 3% for Paypal fees.
I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you.