Audio Research Ref 3 Opinions

reb1208 could you elaborate on your statement above ?
"Still uses a digital volume control.........>>red flag."

I have just called Audio Research. I have confirmation that Ref 3's price is the same as the older Ref 2 Mk.2. This is welcome news inddeed, as I was fearing/expecting/dreading a higher price. The product is being shown in Vegas at CES as I write. I will receive a blurb in the mail during the next couple of days about it. I will OCR it and post salient passages to the thread as soon as I receive it.

I ordered a new REF 2 just before the new year, matter of fact, I didn´t know (neither my local shop) that the REF 3 was available, so originally I ordered a REF 2 and only early this week, when the shipment was suppoused to leave the States, we found out of the new REF 3. It´s on its way now, expected arrival by saturday next week toghether with a Krell 700 cx...I cannot wait!
Now, I have a question: I received the specs by fax yesterday from AR (incredible service, one call and 2 minutes later, 3 pages on my machine) and can see that there are several differences on the specs when compared to the REF 2. Specifically, the ones that rings me a bell are gain (lower than ref 2), higher impedance output than the ref 2. Can anyone enlighten me with what does these differences mean? I can post the specs here if needed, yesterday were not listed on the ARC Data Base.
thanks!
Brgds, Marcelo
Spain

The lower gain is probably no big deal, but the higher output impedance might make a difference if you decided to pair the preamp with a solid state power amp. The Ref 2 has an output impedance of 400 ohms and ARC suggests a minimum of 20k ohms input impedance for a power amp. ( 50/1 ratio) In balanced mode Pass Labs amps are 22k and some manufacturers offer amps below this figure. Most tube amps , including ARC come in at about 100k . In any event enjoy your new treasure.
Jeff

Hi Jeff, thanks for the clarification. Currently, I have my LS25MK2 mated to a Krell FPB300c. The new Ref 3 will be mated with the 700cx, so I guess it will be no trouble matching those 2? The specs for the REF3 are:

freq. response: 0.2 Hz to 200 Khz
Gain: 11.6 balanced (18db on ref2), 5.6 db SE (12bd on ref2)
impedance: 600 ohm balanced (400 ohm on ref 2)
max input: 20 v rms max (balanced) (14v on ref 2)
output: 2v rms into 200k ohm (2 v into 100k ohm on ref2)
noise: 2.7 uV (20 uV on ref 2)
tubes: 4x 6H30P (plus -1 each- 6L6GC and 6H30P in power supply)

Does anybody sees what these changes suggests?

Thanks, brgds, Marcelo