Audio Research REF 2 MKII
With the enthusiastic response to the recent introduction of the LS25MKII, it quickly became clear that the path was also open to improving the REFERENCE TWO flagship. We are happy to announce that similar dramatic enhancements are now available in the REF2MKII.
How advanced is the MKII in sonic performance? It is as much an improvement as the LS25MKII was over its predecessor -- which is to say it is immediately audible and musically profound. Image focus, clarity and a sense of body are all heightened -- where by contrast the original version is simply less vivid overall. Dynamically, too, the MKII picks up the pace in a startling manner, making ¸ the rhythmic line and structure of any musical selection much more evident and understandable. The ebb and flow of a bass line, percussive textures, and time changes now make more musical sense as you hear them revealed by the greater immediacy and dynamic freedom of the REF2MKII. Finally, the MKII presents the music with a solidity and focus and coherence that is simply not present to the same degree in the original. From top to bottom, then, the REF2MKII is a another advance of the state of the art in line-level preamplification.
These enhancements are also available to original REF2 owners as a factory MKII upgrade. A two-year warranty extension is included. REF1 owners can update to the REF2MKII configuration with a three-year warranty extension included. New tubes are included in each update.
On the technical side, the REF2MKII has major changes to both the power supply and analog circuits requiring two new circuit boards and one new toroid. The input circuit board and the digital logic circuit board remain unchanged. The power supply now has newly designed regulator circuits with wideband response more closely approximating that of the active analog circuitry -- providing better dynamic response to the changing demands of the input signal. The analog circuitry now uses J-FETs in the input amplification stage, as several of our newest product upgrades do. The second amplification stage uses a 6H30 twin triode for additional gain, which is directly coupled to another 6H30 serving as a cathode follower / output driver. The 6H30, in current production in Russia, was originally designed for military use and offers a service life of up to 10,000 hours. Finally, the analog circuitry also uses our previously patented cross-coupled circuitry between the input stage and the vacuum-tube stage for more accurate signal tracking and lower distortion.
In terms of input / output configuration and control functions, the MKII is unchanged from the original REF2. However, as on the LS25MKII, a 12V output has been added to the rear panel for remote powering of other linked components (this is also installed on factory update units).
For updates, please schedule ahead with our Customer Service Department to avoid unnecessary delays. The REF2MKII will without question take top honors again from reviewers around the world as the finest stereo line preamplifier available anywhere, at any price.
| REFERENCE 2MKII Specifications: | ||||
| FREQUENCY
RESPONSE: +0 -3dB 0.5Hz to 60kHz at rated output. DISTORTION: Less than .015% at 2V RMS Balanced output. GAIN: Main output: 18dB Balanced, 12dB Single Ended output. Tape output: 0dB. (Processor input: 0dB Balanced. Aux 1 input: 13dB Balanced.) INPUT IMPEDANCE: 132K ohms Balanced, 66K ohms SE, Inputs (8): tape, tuner, phono, CD, video, aux 1, aux 2, processor, (XLR and RCA connectors). OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 400 ohms Balanced, 200 ohms SE main (2), 20K ohms minimum load and 2000pF maximum capacitance. Outputs (3): 2 main, 1 tape (XLR and RCA connectors). |
OUTPUT
POLARITY: Non inverting
MAXIMUM INPUT: 14V
RMS maximum Balanced, |
NOISE:
20uV RMS residual IHF weighted balanced noise output with gain
control minimum (100dB below 2V RMS output, 97dB below 1V RMS SE
output). TUBE COMPLEMENT: (6) 6H30 triodes; (1) 6L6; (1) 5AR4. POWER REQUIREMENTS: 100-135VAC 60Hz (200-270VAC 50/60Hz) 130 watts maximum. (108W typical). DIMENSIONS: 19" (48 cm) W x 7" (17.8 cm) H (standard rack panel) x 15.5" (39.4 cm) D. Handles extend 11/2" (3.8 cm) forward of the front panel. WEIGHT: 31 lbs. (14.1 kg) Net; 44 lbs. (20 kg) Shipping. |
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