REFERENCE 7

The Reference 7 was created to fully incorporate the latest achievements and technological advancements of Audio Research into the wider application of reference-level preamplifiers.
It’s not a modification of an existing design, but rather a direct result of the same entirely new development process used to create the Reference 20. The goal is clear: to create a product with focused, pure sound that truly reflects the musicality of the music, while maintaining the core advantages of this new platform.
Shared Foundation
The core of Reference 7 is the same mechanical structure as Reference 20.
A multi-layered metal chassis controls resonance through controlled energy distribution, while a custom-designed floating counterweight circuit board protects the integrity of the signal path. These are core design elements aimed at maintaining the transparent sound quality achieved by the flagship platform
Second only to the REF20, the Reference 7’s superior clarity and spatial resolution significantly outperform previous flagship models.
Precise Control
The power supply design of the Reference 7 is centered on reducing noise floor and enhancing long-term stability.
The transition to solid-state regulation enables extremely low noise and higher reliability, while key components, including the reference-grade output coupling capacitor derived from the flagship design, ensure that signal purity remains constant.
The Reference 7 skillfully balances its various technologies, delivering exceptional resolution without sacrificing musical coherence and flow. We conducted rigorous listening and tuning to ensure that the Reference 7 not only resolves details but also, when needed, displays a resilient and textured tone that surpasses its predecessors. In short, it must play music, not just review recordings. We offer no compromise
The new standard, Reference 7, is not an improvement over previous products, but a significant advancement.
It leverages the experience and innovations of a completely new development platform, surpassing previous reference designs regardless of the requirements. It represents the perfect, uncompromising embodiment of modern audio research performance

Specifications

Type: Vacuum-tube line preamplifier
Tube Complement: (2) 6H30P dual triodes
Output Polarity: Balanced and Single-Ended (SE) – inverting
Circuit Enhancements: Multi-metal layered chassis for resonance damping
Impedance & Connectivity
Input Impedance: 25K ohms Balanced, 25K ohms SE
Output Impedance: 600 ohms Balanced, 375 ohms SE
Connections: Full set of balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) I/O
Power & Dimensions
Power Requirements: 100-135VAC 60Hz or 200-250VAC 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: 60 watts maximum, 4.4 watts in Standby
Dimensions (W x H x D): 19” x 7” x 17.5” (Includes knobs and rear bumpers)
Weight: 33 lbs (15 kg) Net; 48 lbs (21.8 kg) Shipping
Key Features
Volume Control: Resistor ladder-based control for precise, quiet adjustments
Display: Upgraded interactive touchscreen front panel
Noise Floor: Advanced circuit isolation drastically reduces microphonics and tube ringing