Audio Research Reference-1 reviews

I upgraded from an SP9-Mk 2 to the Ref One Mk 2 about a year ago, and the change was dramatic. It's a very lively preamp that throws a huge soundstage. Listening is always involving and never fatiguing. I'm not sure about it being the perfect match for all amps; it apparently has a lean midbass, which mates perfectly with the ARC VT 100 Mk 2, which I use, but could sound anemic with other units. In TAS #111, HP gave the Ref One Mk 2 four stars (on a five-star scale), and in the March 1997 Fi, Jonathan Valin ended his review with this comment: "this, my friends, is the stuff dreams are made of." (He later rated the Ref Two even dreamier.) For more user views, see http://SendThisNow.com/c.e?120DE6 Hope that helps.

I just upgraded my LS15 to a Ref 2 mkI and it's awesome. I never heard a Ref 1, but I couldn't be happier with my decision. Like the previous guy said, the soundstage is huge and subtleties more pronounced. Now I can understand why people have said, spend more money on the pre-amp versus the amp. I also use a ARC VT100 mkII with my Ref 2, fantastic combo.

There was a review of the Ref One in the November 1998 issue of Stereophile.