Audio Research REF Phono 3SE Phono Preamplifier
Best high-end phono stage for serious vinyl enthusiasts seeking ultimate clarity.
This is the ultimate conduit for extracting every hidden detail from your vinyl collection with startling, lifelike clarity. It demands a serious commitment to a high-end analog chain, but the reward is a soundstage so expansive and quiet that it feels like hearing your favorite records for the first time.
$22000.00
at
F&J Audio
More Reference Phono options
Who it's for
- Serious listeners prioritizing long-term reliability and premium internal components
- Audiophiles seeking ultimate holographic soundstage and natural analog texture
- Vinyl collectors using diverse high-end moving coil or magnet cartridges
Who should skip it
- Owners with limited rack space or compact listening room environments
- Budget-conscious hobbyists seeking high-performance audio on a reasonable scale
- Minimalists wanting a low-maintenance, cool-running audio system setup
Performance breakdown
Signal Transparency
The ultra-low noise floor reveals microscopic details in every vinyl groove.
Cartridge Versatility
Selectable impedance settings ensure perfect matching for diverse moving coil cartridges.
Sonic Realism
Vacuum tube circuitry delivers a lush, lifelike presentation of complex musical passages.
Soundstage Depth
Instruments are placed with pinpoint accuracy across a vast, immersive soundscape.
RIAA Accuracy
Precision engineering maintains near-perfect frequency response across the entire audible spectrum.
Build Integrity
Robust internal power supply ensures consistent, interference-free performance for years.
Key Specs
Frequency Response
±.2 dB of RIAA, 5 Hz to 20kHz; 1 dB points below 0.3Hz and above 80 kHz
Distortion
Less than .015% at 3V RMS 1kHz output
Gain
58 dB at 1 kHz (fixed)
Input Impedance
Selectable loads: 47k, 1000, 500, 200, 100 Ohms
Output Impedance
200 ohms
Tube Complement
(3)-6H30P dual triodes, plus (1 each) 6550WE and 6H30P in power supply
Power Requirements
100-125VAC 60Hz (200-250VAC 50/60Hz), 120 watts maximum
Weight
7 kg Net
Equalization Curve
RIAA
Circuitry Type
Vacuum Tube, Hybrid
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