Page 1
Reference Phono 10
Extracting New Detail from Familiar Grooves
“ARC’s new phonostage does this absolutely essential trick better than any other
tube phono preamp I’ve yet heard. Nothing else I’m familiar with in glass audio
will reproduce that initial tutti with such lifelike speed and power; nothing else
I’m familiar with in glass audio will reproduce the staccato march of triplets
that follows it with the same blur-free rhythmic precision; and nothing else I’m
familiar with in glass audio will reproduce the reedy timbre of the clarinets as if
you were there, in Chicago Symphony Hall, hearing them play.”
Jonathan Valin, The Absolute Sound, March 2014
Vinyl playback: an integral and revered part of Audio Research’s legacy since our founding in 1970. The
modern-day vinyl renaissance has propelled the development of better turntables, tonearms and phono
cartridges that have provided new levels of resolution and musicality. They in turn pushed us to create the REF
Phono 10, our most transparent window that allows the musical performance to shine through.
The REF Phono 10 is a dual-mono design with totally separate signal paths for each channel. Using dual
separate low- and high-voltage transformers, and sucient energy storage for an amplifier, the REF Phono 10
provides incredible dynamic headroom. Audio circuits are fully discrete, pure Class-A, with zero feedback and
four 6H30 tubes per channel. Independently adjustable sets of RCA inputs have switchable Low or High gain
and seven loading options (47k, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 ohms, plus Custom). The REF Phono 10 also has early
Columbia and Decca equalization curves.
From the first note on a treasured LP, its greatness is at once obvious and breathtaking—the REF Phono 10
is a sonic blockbuster that establishes the new standard in analog music playback. The soundstage is vast,
holographic, enveloping, with an engaging, ‘reach out and touch it’ quality. The REF Phono 10 resolves so
much detail without grain, it delights you with new information extracted from familiar grooves. The musical
experience is so involving and persuasive that you do not want it to end.
After nearly 50 years, our focus remains the advancement of the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. Every
component is meticulously hand-crafted and personally auditioned before it leaves our factory. Our attention
to detail, customer service, and product support create unprecedented value. An Audio Research component
is more than a purchase, it’s an investment.
Visit your Audio Research dealer to experience the pinnacle of analog reproduction. Be forewarned; once
you’ve played your favorite album through the REF Phono 10, you will be forever changed.
Page 2
Complete technical specifications can be found on our website.
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Frequency response
± .2dB of RIAA, 10Hz to 60kHz; 3dB points below
0.3Hz and above 300k
Gain
Selectable 51dB (Low), 74dB (High) at1kHz BAL;
45dB (Low), 68dB (High) at1kHz SE. (MC & MM
compatible)
Noise
0.22uV equivalent input noise, IHF weighted, shorted (Low Gain) input (73 dB below 1mV 1kHz input).
0.055uV equivalent input noise (High Gain) (65dB
below 0.1mV 1kHz input
Input impedance
47K ohms and 100pF SE. Selectable loads: 1000,
500, 200, 100, 50 ohms and Custom
Distortion
Less than .002% at 1.0V RMS 1kHz output
Tube complement
8 - 6H30 dual triodes, plus 2 – 6550WE and
2 - 6H30 in power supply
Dimensions
Width: 19” (48 cm)
Height: 7” (17.8 cm) (standard rack panel)
Depth: 15.5” (39.4 cm)
Handles extend 1.5” (3.8 cm) forward of the front
panel
Weight
Audio Chassis: 22 lbs. (10 kg) Net; 34 lbs. (15.5 kg)
Shipping.
Power Supply Chassis: 35 lbs. (15.9 kg) Net;
43 lbs. (19.5 kg) Shipping
3900 Annapolis Lane North | Plymouth, MN 55447 USA | T: 763.577.9700 | www.audioresearch.com
Loading...