Audio Research 40th Anniversary Edition Reference Preamp

FOR SALE 

Audio Research 40th Anniversary Reference Preamp

This rare and beautiful dual-chassis preamp is one of the finest preamps ever made. Produced for just one year, this penultimate product by Audio Research continues to best preamplifiers costing many more times the price of this incredible piece. A true value of exceptional quality and performance. 

This unit includes newly replaced “Audio Research” grade tubes sourced from Upscale Audio (565 hrs) plus the original set of factory tubes (2200 hrs). 

Condition rating is VERY conservative. This unit is in exceptional condition  

Included:
Preamp 
Remote
Power Umbilicals 
Manual
Original Packaging 

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"Quite simply, this is the most holographic preamp I have (and, I am willing to bet, you have) ever listened to. Although ARC has long held a patent on dimensionality and bloom—and dimensionality was one of the two areas in which the Reference 5 was markedly improved over the Reference 3—folks, you ain’t heard nothing yet!

What the Ref 40 does that no other preamp I’ve heard does is reproduce instruments and vocalists with a three-dimensional “solidity” (the very meaning of the word “stereo,” BTW) that is simply mind-boggling (and unequaled in my experience). Instruments are so rooted in space, so solidly “there,” and the stage is so clear and orderly, it is almost like you’re listening to a three-channel system playing back three-channel mastertapes—that “phantom” center channel is that much less phantom. Trust me: The difference is that dramatic.

And then there is the Ref 40’s dynamic range. It is literally shocking (and goosebump-inducing) to hear how realistically this preamp reproduces powerful instruments, like the big brass choir on the right hand side of the stage in the third movement of Janacek’s Sinfonietta [Denon]. Outside of a concert hall, I don’t think I’ve heard a mere stereo system reproduce brass with such lifelike authority and presence. Ditto for solo piano. On good recordings—such as Orion LP of Ingolf Dahl’s lyrical sonatas—the Ref 40 makes a concert grand more “there” than any other preamp I’ve had in my system. As with timbre, there is a solidity to the Ref 40’s presentation of dynamics—a continuousness, if you will—that makes other preamps sound like they’re peaking or losing steam or breaking up at various points along the dynamic continuum.

Don’t even ask about soundstaging. When individual instruments are this “rooted” in place—this solid and realistic in color and dynamic—it becomes a lot easier to visualize them on stage, even when they are parts of large choirs.

As for retrieval of low-level detail, the Ref 40 is, as noted, vastly superior to the Reference 5, which was the most detailed ARC preamp I’d heard. Whether it equals that champeen of low-level resolution, the Technical Brain TBC Zero, remains to be seen or heard. (I’ll get the TBC back after the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest and let you know.) At this point, I’d have to say that the Ref 40 certainly doesn’t seem to be missing much—if anything—in comparison to another paragon of low-level resolution, the Soulution 720 preamplifier."

Jonathan Valin - Absolute Sound
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"I'm probably not describing this well, or describing it in a way that is true to the experience of hearing it. It's one of many ways the Reference Anniversary defies proper explanation, perhaps because the audiophile vocabulary is simply inadequate. The bass was more straightforward, offering control and authority along with bloom and weight. It was naturally rendered -- neither akin to a depth charge nor a sledgehammer, the entire bass range pouring forth with realistic pace and effortless dynamics. The dynamic range of bass frequencies is easy to overlook amidst the sort of low-end reach and grip the Reference Anniversary can summon, but it's vital to its achieving power that's reminiscent of live music.

When it comes to the traditional strengths of Audio Research products, it's hard to say that a preamp sounds bigger than the Reference 5, but the Reference Anniversary does. It's hard to say that a preamp sounds more dynamically complete than the Reference 5, but the Reference Anniversary does. It builds on the Reference 5's considerable strengths and begins to lap the rest of the field. Hearing it is mandatory if you're shopping in its substantial price range -- and educational if you're not.

The Reference Anniversary will be a standard of sonic performance and a piece of audio equipment whose existence truly is cause for celebration."

Roy Gregory - Audio Beat

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"if you want the best, get the Anniversary Edition, as it is noticeably better in every way to it's little brother - though it's limited production status makes acquiring one easier said than done.

the depth of the soundstage from this piece is unbelievable; it truly pulls you into the music like no other piece I have ever heard. Top that off with a piece that is near perfectly silent yet exceptionally dynamic; the Audio Research 40th Anniversary Preamplifier is the finest preamplifier made."

- Home Theater Review