FREQUENCY RESPONSE: +0 -3dB 0.2Hz to 200kHz at rated output. (BALANCED, 200k ohms load.)
DISTORTION: Less than .01% at 2V RMS Balanced output.
GAIN: Main output (SE or BAL input): 12dB Balanced output, 6dB Single Ended output. Tape output: 0dB. (Processor input: 0dB Balanced.)
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 120K ohms Balanced, 300K ohms SE, Inputs (7): CD, TUNER, VIDEO, PHONO, AUX1, AUX2, PROCESSOR. (XLR and RCA connectors).
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 600 ohms Balanced, 300 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: 20V RMS maximum Balanced, (10V RMS SE).
RATED OUTPUTS: 2V RMS (1V RMS SE) into 200K ohm balanced load (maximum balanced output capability is 30V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1kHz).
CROSSTALK: -80DB or better at 1kHz and 10kHz.
CONTROLS: Volume (104 steps), Select Input. Push Buttons: Power, Proc, BAL/SE, Mono, Invert, Mute.
POWER SUPPLIES: Electronically regulated low and high voltage supplies. Automatic 40 sec. warm-up/brown-out mute. Line regulation better than .01%.
NOISE: 1.7uV RMS residual IHF weighted balanced equivalent input noise with volume at 1 (109dB below 2V RMS output.)
TUBE COMPLEMENT: (4) -6H30P dual triodes, plus (1 each) 6550C and 6H30P in power supply.
POWER REQUIREMENTS: 100-135VAC 60Hz (200-270VAC 50/60Hz) 130 watts.
DIMENSIONS: 19" (48 cm) W x 7" (17.8 cm) H (standard panel) x 15.5" (39.4 cm) D. Handles extend 1.5" (3.8 cm) forward of the front panel.
WEIGHT: 30.4 lbs. (13.9 kg) Net; 41.6 lbs. (19 kg) Shipping.
The Reference Anniversary established a new standard of performance for preamplifiers, but it was only available for a limited time to celebrate our 40th anniversary. Having learned a great deal from its development, and without a replacement in the works, we decided to infuse the Reference 5 and Reference Phono 2 preamplifiers with some of the magic found in the Anniversary.
Introduced in May and June 2009, the REF5 and REF Phono 2 are sufficiently mature to warrant an update. Beginning immediately, the REF5 and REF Phono 2 (RP2 for brevity) are being updated to SE status, with greatly enhanced performance and the latest cosmetics. Non-SE versions will no longer be available. The upgrades are applicable to both REF5SE and RP2SE. The most obvious change is to the front panel of each unit: the round aluminum buttons found on other recent models has replaced the square black buttons.
The handles are silver, of course, and the standard cover is Plex (metal on request). Internally there are a number of changes and refinements. We have added an additional capacitor board to almost double the energy storage capacity, there are new and additional Teflon® and hybrid coupling and bypass capacitors, and there is new wiring. Sonically, the improvements are immediate and startling, not incremental. Yes, resolution is significantly higher, with finer grain and an improved sense of “air,” but it is the greater tonal color and explosive dynamics that will simply wow you. Like changing to a great, big power amp, there is a sense of effortlessness and control that is addictive.
Production of the SE versions has begun, and we expect to be backordered for some time. A full update program for original units will be announced soon, with pricing provided at that time. Updates will have to be scheduled to keep wait times down to a minimum, so please be patient.
