典範的建立，經常需要時間醞釀。對於Audio Research而言，從1970年創立至今，36個年頭只為鑽研出「High Definition」的最高境界。創辦者William Z. Johnson已經年逾80，依然親身參與重要的研發工作。雖然真空管並不是品牌製作音響的唯一素材，但是過往的經典產品、以及最新的全系列Reference器材，全部是真空管機。
追求High Definition
翻開Audio Research的歷史，暢銷全球的經典器材不知凡幾。不過既有的成就並沒有讓品牌自滿。2005年，完成了Reference全系列產品的開發，代表了全新世代的開始，並將所謂High Definition推到極致。
究竟何謂「High Definition」？ Johnson的說法是：盡可能避免任何對原始音樂訊號的渲染或衰減，重現音樂原有的自然動態。
在製作過程上，Audio Research確信任何細節都會影響聲音，所以他們步步嚴謹、層層把關。造訪品牌位於Minneapolis佔地50,000平方米的廠房，可以窺見其規模，以及毫不妥協的慢工細活。譬如所有真空管經過48小時工作後才全檢測試配對、內部配線全部採用李茲線、電容採用客製化訂購品、特別注意機內避震等。
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以上特點或許其他廠牌可以模仿，不過有一項工序則是Audio Research的不傳之秘：所有線路板完成焊接後，都經過特殊的清洗溶劑清洗，以徹底清潔接點。目的很簡單，就是要消除所有殘留的雜質，降低影響線路工作的因素。
全平衡推挽．無負迴授
為了追求「High Definition」，Audio Research捨棄了功率有限的直熱三極管，以「推挽式」設計獲得實用功率，讓用家可以輕鬆驅動市面上大多數的喇叭。此外，Audio Research也偏好「全平衡線路」，獲得優秀的訊噪比。越低的線路背景噪音，代表音樂再生時對於真實動態的影響越小。原廠建議盡可能使用全平衡連接，方能發揮最佳效果。
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2005年全系列到位的Reference系列，代表Audio Research有史以來最大的技術突破。從第一部問世的Reference 3前級開始，Audio Research不僅在元件上講究，換上新款6H30訊號管，並採用無負迴授線路，變壓器也全部重新設計，讓頻率響應更上層樓，足以對應SACD或DVD-Audio高達100kHz的頻率響應。
在Reference 3前級的突破，同樣移植到了Reference CD7的類比放大線路。技術資料顯示，在失真率的測試數據上，新的Reference系列僅有過去的10%，是前所未有的技術躍進。
600瓦超大真空管後級
完成Reference系列的數位訊源與前級之後，龐大的Reference 610T單聲道後級問世。Reference 610T同樣採用了全平衡、無負迴授線路，真空管採外露式設計，即使工作時熱度驚人，依然不需風扇輔助散熱。16只6550C功率管推挽工作，達到誇張的600瓦輸出功率，擁有這樣的龐然大物，幾乎可以征服地球表面任何難以驅動的喇叭了。全新設計的大型顯示幕，所有功能一目了然，偏壓調整也可遙控設定。誰說真空管機是老東西？Audio Research就是要用科技進步的成果，用來提升真空管的性能。
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花費36年的光陰，打造當代真空管機的典範。Audio Research建議顧客直接使用原廠配件，無須費心搭配，因為原廠的工程師們已經盡可能設想過每一項細節。想追求極致音響品味？Audio Research有著內斂樸質的外觀，但卻醞藏著強悍無比的性能；彈指之間，以遙控器輕鬆操作，享受「High Definition」的真實音樂重播。
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Audio Research旗艦後級Reference 610T，質樸的外觀下隱藏著600瓦強大驅動力 |
The huge Reference 610T power amplifier, boasted amazing 600 Watts out put. |
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連看起來不起眼的藍色電容，Audio Research也堅持訂做自家器材專用的特殊規格品。 |
It isn’t hard to see that how Audio Research emphasize on details. |
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The creation of paradigm takes time. For Audio Research, 36 years of development since 1970 devoted to one single purpose: the ultimate “high definition”. The founder of the company, William Z. Johnson, is now over 80, but he still participate the major research and development of their products. Although tube amplifiers are not the only product they built in the past decades, the classic Audio Research amplifier for audiophiles are all tube, including the latest “Reference Series”.
Pursuit High Definition
There are countless classic amplifiers models which created world-wide hot sale in the history of Audio Research, but the investment of further research has never been neglected. In 2005, Audio Research announced the full range of “Reference Series” which represented the brand new generation of tube amplifier. The new reference series pushed the ideal of high definition audio into a new era. What is the meaning of “High Definition”? In William Johnson’s words, high definition represents the minimum coloration or degrades on original music signal, thus would reproduce the nature of music itself. It seems to be the goal for ultimate purity of music reproduction. To reach this goal, both tube and solid state amplifiers can do, but Audio Research has better hands on tube circuits. For years of manufacturing experience, Audio Research has learned that any detail may affect the tonal quality. Visiting the 50,000 square meters of Audio Research factory in Minneapolis, you may know the size of the company as well as their serious attitude to every manufacturing detail. To name a few, they would burn the tube after 48 hours before full test and pair matching, the internal wiring took special designed Litz wires; all of the capacitors are custom made for Audio Research; the chases were well constructed with vibration controlled design. These are some of the features that other could imitate, but there is another secret lies in Audio Research: they have a special process to clean the circuit boards after soldering has done which can eliminate any contamination on signal path.
Full balance and Zero Feedback
For high definition requires every detail of music reproduction, Audio Research prefer push-pull with high out put instead of direct heated triode with limited power. Full balance design contributed better signal-noise ratio. The lower noise from circuits itself refers the better dynamic in music reproduction. Audio Research suggested that the best connection of their product is balance connection. The complete line of Reference series in 2005 represents the greatest break through of technology in the history of Audio Research. From the first new Reference product, the Reference 3 pre-amplifier, they applied new 6H30 for better frequency response. Zero feedback circuit and brand new designed transformers also devoted to the same purpose. The Reference 3 is a new generation of pre-amplifier could match the 100kHz frequency response of SACD or DVD-Audio. The same analogue technology also applied to the Reference CD7 player. Test figures of THD of new Reference 3 and Reference CD7 is 10 times better than their previous products. That’s why Audio Research take this as the greatest break through in company history.
600 Watts Monsters in Tube
After the announcement of pre-amplifier and digital source, here comes the huge Reference 610T power amplifier. Inherited with full balanced, zero feedback features, the mono block Reference 610T took the tube out side of the chases. The ventilation of tubes can be done without extra cooling fan. Powerful 6550C tubes line up in 16 pieces together; the push-pull amplification boasted amazing 600 Watts out put. With the power monster like 610T, there can be no speaker it cannot drive on earth. Newly applied florescent screen shows every working status clearly, you may even adjust bias through remote control. For Audio Research, technology is the servant for better convenience, to convert old tube into modern audio fashion.
36 years of investment on tube technology, Audio Research established modern paradigm of tube amplifier. They have considered almost every detail during serious research. For audiophiles, you may just plug and have fun with splendid music quality. For those who pursuit the ultimate musical expression, the look of Audio Research might be a little bit old fashion, but the music power is far beyond the look. Simply click on the remote, you may find the total “high definition” of music with every CD you play.(Translation by 郭漢丞 Jerry KUO)
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