Audio Research Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier

This is not a review, not even a preview. Consider it a pre-preview, if you like, of a new preamp by Audio Research launched to celebrate the company's 40th Anniversary called the 40th Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier. I had an opportunity to visit AudioConcepts in Dallas Texas, and see and quickly listen to this dual chassis, dual mono and limited production pre amplifier.

At the AudioConcepts the Anniversary Edition preamplifier was installed in the following system: Boulder 1021 disc/network player; Audio Research Reference 110 power amplifier; Wilson Audio Sophia 3 speakers; and Nordost and Kimber cables.

Here's some background information from the Audio Research homepage:

"The dual-mono power supply has separate low and high voltage transformers for each channel, separate vacuum-tube regulation (6550C and 6H30) of each channel, and tremendous energy storage for each channel, insuring unrivalled dynamic headroom. Multiple stages of electronic regulation of low- and high-voltage supplies are used. Separate umbilical cords for each channel attach the power supply chassis to the audio chassis. A single 20-amp IEC detachable power cord connects the A.C. to the power supply. All critical components are custom designed and manufactured solely for Audio Research."

"The audio circuit is ... all-tube, pure Class-A triode, with zero feedback. For the fist time, the audio gain circuit is dual-mono and uses eight 6H30 triodes, four in each channel. The first thing you will notice in the audio control chassis are four custom Teflon® coupling capacitors, each weighing more than two pounds. Teflon bypass capacitors are mounted on the bottom of the main board."

What made my visit particularly exciting was that I was offered the possibility to compare the Anniversary Edition to Audio Research Reference 5 model, in itself a remarkable tube preamp.

The difference was bigger than I expected. The Anniversary Edition sounded more open, detailed and precise, it had better dynamics (both micro and macro) plus a bigger and deeper soundstage, it had better transparency. The tone of the Anniversary Edition was noticeably neutral. The word that perhaps best described the sound was realistic, extremely real and lifelike. In a good way there was more of everything as compared to the Reference 5, despite the fact that the Ref 5 already provides a quite a high standard of performance. The only thing I missed was extra $25 000 to order one. This a true signature product, no doubt.