Audio Research's tube-based amplifier kits have a  secial sound in double sense for many audiophiles, and the flagships are of course no exception. We have repeatedly come across the top model of the reference preamplifiers Reference 6, or REF6 among friends, including at Men and Things in Larvik last year, and at the launch of REF6 with Sonus Faber Il Cremonese 4 years ago.

The Reference 6 preamplifier was launched in the fall of 2015 to match the new Audio Research amplifier reference power amplifiers. According to the manufacturer, only the former flagship Reference 10 was capable of doing that, so they had to make an upgraded replacement of the Reference 5.

This was just over four years ago. These days, both the reference amplifier Reference 6 and the mono blocks Reference 750 SE are getting detatcment

Audio Research Reference 6SE

The new preamplifier Reference 6SE has a lot ​​in common with its predecessor Reference 6. At least at the outside. The look is the same, and also on the back is business as usual. This means that we find four balanced and four RCA inputs there, along with 1 set of rec-out and two sets of pre-out, all with freedom of choice between balanced and RCA.

Like the predecessor, the Reference 6SE is a fully balanced design and has a Class A design with zero feedback. It has 6 longlife 6H30 tubes and there is also a 6H30 tube in the power supply.

According to Audio Research, the news in Reference 6SE is that a larger part of the components have been replaced with even higher quality components.

The good news for existing owners of Reference 6 is that it is possible to upgrade to Rerference 6SE for a moderate amount - moderate in light of the price range we are in here.

Audio Research Reference 750 SEL

Although the Reference 750 SEL replaces the predecessor the Reference 750 SE, the prehistory extends back to the Reference 600 for 25 years, when Audio Research set an ambitious goal of creating an ultimate tube amplifier with enough power to power any speaker.

The reference 750 SEL produces as its name suggests 750 watts in 4-16 ohms. There are 16 pieces of KT150 tube per channel in amplifier

Unlike Reference 6SE, these new monoblocks cannot be upgraded from the predecessor. For that, the changes are too extensive. And if you want to secure a couple or two, there is reason to be chopped. Reference 750 SEL is made in a Limited Edition series of just 10 sets.

We currently do not know the prices in Norway for the new flagship amplifiers from Audio Research, but the predecessors are priced at respectively. NOK 160,000, - for the preamplifier And NOK 370,000, - per. pcs. for the monoblocks.

The Norwegian importer for Audio research is Mono AS.

Read more about Reference 6SE at Audio Research

Read more about Reference 750 SEL at Audio Research