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Audio Research
REF3 Review
by James Leahy
Introduction
God I love my job I tell you. A
sincere 'Thank You' to all you guys asking me about the REF3 and how it
compares against the other models, I felt severely compelled to getting
one for my system and writing a review so you could all benefit from my
listening sessions. Please send me a pile of e-mails asking about the
PH7 next ok...
Ideally the best scenario would be
for you all to visit me and hear the differences for your selves on my
system first hand but I know this is not always possible so hopefully
you will get something out of this review that might make your buying
decision a little easier.
I will try and dedicate this review
to more of a comparison and real world virtual listening session than a
useless technical feature description article that leaves the reader
with no more clues as to the sound of the product then they had before.
Audio Research's statement line stage; the formidable REF3 was released
in 2004 and as many have said has indeed set a standard so high, even
today it is constantly being used as the yardstick by which all other
line stages are judged. Not a cheap unit at $16,995.00 I hear you say,
for a simple volume control and input selector but this is the best line
stage Audio Research know how to make at any price. You might not want
to hear the differences in line stages but unfortunately there is a
world of differences between the good, the bad and the ugly. You don't
want there to be a difference but there is. Because of this fact the
REF3 has ascended into urban folk law as one; if not 'THE' best line
stage in the world at any price today. Having previously reviewed a
number of past Audio Research line stages I was greatly looking forward
to seeing if further improvements were indeed possible.
Running a line stage like this in
your system gives your input signal the best possible quality guarantee. You can rest assured that every tweak, source up-grade, room
acoustic treatment, power cable up-grade will not be wasted. When
released the REF3 took the audiophile world by storm and turned it on
it's ear. What we all thought we knew about a good quality line stage
and what performance we once all expected from a high-end unit was
instantly and forever rewritten in one single blow. Before the REF3
there was nothing on the market that could even hold a candle to it,
such is the sever departure from what you have heard if you have not had
the pleasure of hearing this unit.
Audio Research have really made a
unit that is not only different to everything else out there at any
price but it even eclipses their own REF2 Mk.II by the Grand Canyon's of
margins and makes this former world heavyweight sound broken in
comparison! I would rather listen to a LS26 than a REF2 Mk.II such is
the level of improvement A.R.C. have made with their new line stage
range.
The unit is designed with totally
new audio circuits from it's predecessor but is physically the same
size. It is roughly the same dimension as a VT50 power amplifier!
The
external look of the new REF3 is also a large departure from what
customers have been used to in their past products and I for one very
much like the new design. There has been some unfounded negativity from
other fellow Hi-Fi journalists that the design could have been improved
upon.
I strongly disagree with this
statement and argue it is one of the most attractive line stages I have
seen from A.R.C.. It is both modern and functional and I am sure
it will prove to be a future collector's item.
Get your hands on one and keep it
in your system while you can still buy one new. It physically looks horn from all
angles and provides for every possible feature one may need in any
high-end system configuration.
There is a 20 amp I.E.C. connector used
for the first time on any A.R.C. line stage which may be strongly related
to the huge 50% increase in size of the power supply compared to the REF2 Mk.II.
The power supply is 50% larger then the companies VS55 power amplifier!
Now that's BIG.
There are new power transformers
which have been commissioned in the REF3 that are of extreme
bandwidth that allows the unit to push to an unheard of 200kHz ceiling. Previously up
from 60kHz, this is a remarkable achievement and one that can certainly
be heard with real world benefits.
The micro dynamics and fine shades
of detail on the musical layering is proof that. This advancement has in turn lead to
a lowering of the measured noise floor by a staggering 12dB. Distortion
has also been reduced by 40%. That's more than enough of the spec sheet.
I am going to skip most of the regular
technical measurements and feature list that can easily be read off
A.R.C.'s own website but wish to let you guys know really what I thought
about the real world performance of this monster of a line stage and how
it compares with previous generations.
Not a small unit by any means.
The REF3 continues in the tradition of all Reference products being the
very best Audio Research know how to make at any price.
The usual feature list continues
with 12V switching and a new 20A I.E.C. receptacle.
Possibly the last line stage you
will ever need.
Attention to detail is displayed
everywhere with basic functions being controllable from the front panel.
One of the nicest displays I
have seen and sure to make the REF3 a future classic.
Huge reserves of current from a
vast array of Nichicon caps.
The tube component of the REF3's
audio circuit is 4 x 6H30's
This is what make the REF3 sing.
Special proprietary coupling caps.
Above and below are the two new
ultra high band width power transformers designed especially for the
REF3. One for the audio circuit and one for the power circuit.
All tube rectification in the
power supply.
1 x 6550C
1 x 6H30
Sonic
Evaluations
Previously my line stage of
choice has been the LS26 which has served me really well for a number of
years and will continue I am sure to be Audio Research's most popular
volume selling unit. To best understand my comments in this review
please read my LS26 review
HERE if you
have not done so. Listening to Kris Kristofferson - 'Border Lord' Album
(Monument Records, 1972) the best way to describe the REF3's overall
sound is that of a volume control with no volume related compromises as
can so often be the case. What I mean by this is in my experience
normally when you use a line stage in your system there is a sweet spot
that the music just sounds right and everything jells. The REF3 has the
uncanny ability to get everything right at all volume levels. When you
increase the volume the music is just louder without any distortion of
character, harshness or annoying grittiness.
At lower volume levels the
detail is not lost that can happen with lesser models. It captures the
essence of the music without adding any obvious floors or colorations.
This sounds elementary but I guarantee you it is very rarely achieved in
the real world.
I believe most readers will want
to know and understand the differences to the junior model, namely the
LS26 and how much of a real advantage there is. I too was eager to see
where the two differed and what could be gained by spending considerably
more on the REF3. Well without further delay lets get down to the nitty
gritty. Compared to the LS26 the difference is most noticeable in the
following areas, of bass response, smoothness of midrange character,
width of soundstage, and detail of musical multi layering.
Firstly lets talk about the bass
response. Compared to the LS26 there was a huge improvement in the depth
and level of bass. This was obvious and not just a small improvement but
a large one. I went from one to the other on my system and the REF3 was
the grand master of hard hitting bass response. It was in no way bloated
or slow and the new level of performance in this department complemented
the music with every drum beat. The LS26 does the job but it is not to
the same degree in this department. Not that it is obvious until you do
an A-B comparison between the two do you know the difference that you
are missing. Could I live with the LS26; well yes I certainly could but
the REF3 is a lot better in the quality of bass that I know some will
really appreciate.
Comparing anything else to the
REF3 in this area is almost an unfair fight because it totally destroys
anything else I have heard with it's fast tight lower octave extension
while remaining coherent in all other frequencies. Totally un-nerving
the first time you experience this. The good part is that it does not
compromise the midrange and treble and nothing is out of balance. It
makes you wonder how you listened to units that compromise the low
frequencies that much. I am convinced this boost in performance had a
direct link to the REF3's increased bandwidth and lower noise floor.
The second area of performance
improvement comes from the smoothness for sound at all volume levels.
Like a good Scotch that has been aged 12 years the REF3 delivers totally
transparent and un-offensive liquid detail with all the hard hitting
impact of a sledgehammer. There is a full wall of sound that pushes you
back in your listening chair without ever being overly edgy or harsh. It
improves against the LS26 in the area of fullness of sound stage while
remaining smoother and even more refined and polished. The smaller LS26
gives you separation and detail in all areas in it's presentation of
multi layering and space but the REF3 fills in all the holes more
completely so to create a seamless picture with no gaps unfulfilled. In
detailed musical passages the REF3 improves the smoothness of micro
dynamics with far more finer gradients of detail rather than less
refined layering and therefore I found held my attention more
completely.
The vocals hang more intensely
and deliver their message with more weight and dynamics than I have
heard before. There can be no mistaking the way the REF3 gives the
listener more midrange depth and detail when it comes to the blend
between the vocals and instrumental sound tracks. On multi layered
recordings if the listener wants to concentrate on the drummer or maybe
the bass guitar track they can without loosing their attention on other
more obvious parts. This is very similar to live venue listening
sessions where you do not have to concentrate on listening to the music
as a whole but can accurately focus on each performer as an individual
if you choose and not just as part of a big mass of sound. Once again
nothing to bag the LS26 with but the smoothness of detail and fullness
of midrange was a considerable improvement that is not slight and
insignificant on my system.
The way I listen to my music and want it to
sound and feel is very dynamic with loads of midrange slam to pin you to
your chair. I like to totally knock myself out with grip and control
over the soundstage with a wide and engulfing wall that does not have
any holes or areas of deficiency. The REF3 excels in this area and will
give power freaks their daily dose of testosterone in one huge shot. The
width of the soundstage is even wider then the LS26 at all volume levels
and it has no areas of weakness with a full and detailed presentation.
There is no sense of over doing it either as the sound is neither too
ripe or lean. The REF3 really lets those of us that have invested
heavily in quality amplification to get the most out of their gear. With
lesser units I have always felt the need to restrain myself when
listening at higher levels without being able to fully drop the hammer
but with the REF3 in my system it is like unlocking the gates of Hell
and unleashing all the potential your amplifier is capable of. Let's put
it this way, if your system does not sound better with a REF3, it is not
going to sound good with anything. It is remarkably neutral in tone as
well without any obvious sonic characteristics one way or the other.
The lower end models are obviously cut from the
same cloth and they bring with them many of the same sonic benefits of
the REF3 but to lesser degrees. There is a sense of amazement every time
I listen to this masterpiece of modern engineering that I cannot believe
how much more it has brought out of my already great sound system. Could
I get by with less? After you hear the REF3 on your system it is hard to
go back to anything else when you know what it is capable of but it is a
matter of degrees. If your system is not up to the performance level of
the REF3 then I would look at cheaper but still very capable
alternatives. On my particular test system the performance benefits of
the REF3 made it's price not the major factor in deciding it was well
worth it's price. It is such an improvement in terms of bass dynamics,
width and depth of soundstage alone that made it excellent value for
money to me.
The all valve rectification in the power supply
when compared to the LS26's FET alternative accounts for much of this
benefit here I am sure. When ever you have valves in the power supply
the soundstage gains massively in width and depth. The REF3 is no
exception I am glad to report and if you wish to knock down the walls of
your listening room this is the line stage that will do it if ever there
was one; without question.
So what would I recommend to a potential buyer?
If I was putting a system together with a limited budget and have to
leave room for other items but wanted a line stage that could do
everything well and blow away the former gold world standard in the REF2
Mk.II I would whole heartily recommend the LS26 for less then half the
price of the old REF unit. It remains the best buy in the Audio Research
line-up value for money and dollar for dollar. The LS26 is close to the
REF3 in sonic character and it is worlds away in performance at the same
time. The LS26 will get a good valve system up there into the air with
amazing performance but the REF3 will knock it's teeth out and punch it
into next week. The performance benchmark of the LS26 will take many
years to be bettered if it ever can be at it's remarkable price point.
The REF3 gives more in all areas that I have
described above and I could not be without in my system once I had heard
the differences. There is no question, the REF3 does trounce everything
else I have ever tried against it and it is a legendary line stage that
will elevate your system into the stratosphere in one blow no matter how
good you already think it sounds. The REF3 WILL make it sound better! If
you want a line stage that will see you through a number of up-grades in
your system and will last you a good number of years without becoming
outdated I would get a REF3 without any hesitation. The level of
performance A.R.C. have achieved in this flagship model will not be
surpassed without a lot of trouble and many years of development. This
is one unit that should not be missed.
If you have the amplifiers, source components
and loudspeakers to benefit from more of everything then I would
recommend you see the rabbit Audio Research have pulled from their hat
in the new REF3.
Associated review Equipment
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Amplifiers:
Audio Research REF600 Mk.II
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Phono Stage:
Audio Research PH5
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Speakers:
ScanSpeak & Vifa Custom
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Cables:
Neotech
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Cartridge:
Ortofon MC Jubilee
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Subwoofer:
Velodyne HGS-15
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CD Player:
Sony SCD-XA777ES
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Turntable:
Rega P7
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