Audio Research REF 3

Dear all,
Many thanks for your answers
I bought My REF 3 used, and it runs 6L6GC tube in power supply (my REF 3 is from 2005). I will order a new full set of tubes and try new tubes, i will also do the upgrade with 6550c tube and the 4 bypass caps asap. I've opened my REF 3 yesterday and tubes look original ones (the 6L6GC is on bad condition and it's difficult to read what is written on the tube), i guess my REF 3 tubes has more hours than what the counter is saying. I saw also that resetting the hours counter is very easy, so it has been maybe done by a previous owner. For the counter hours, i did some short listening sessions (less than 1 hour each) and i have been surprised to see the counter staying at the same number of hours and only increased for full hours listening (i need to say that my system is physically unplugged from power voltage when it is not used)
Best Regards
Laurent
PS : Is TheTubeStore a good source for REF 3 tubes, as long as ARC doesn't want to ship item in France, and i will not travel to the US before Sep08 the sooner

Hi Hans,
Guido told me that the 4 bypass caps parts is around $80 at Audio Research. I will order the kit from Audio Research and ask for the schematic also. I know a technician who is able to do it in France, i will not do myself. Do you know why the Netherlands importer doesn't want to do it ? That's strange the France importer should be able to do it i guess, but i prefer to work with my Audio Research Authorized technician who is closer to me. I ordered a set of tubes from TheTubeStore, and i will order the kit of bypass caps when i will travel to the US, so i will have the caps installed with 6550c tube a little bit later.
I will let you know for the bypass upgrade
Laurent

Hi Reference 3 Owners,
I replaced the tubes from my reference 3 with Sovtek 6H30 (matched tubes) and 6L6GC from SED.
The overall performance improved, but i was not fully satisfied, then i re checked my full system in term of cabling and speaker connection, then i discovered that my pair of JBL 2405 tweeters were not connected properly (they were not on phase : the + plug was on - cable and the - plug on + cable). I guess i did some tests in the past when my LS25MKII get sold and i think i tried several things to improve the performance of my spare preamp an Audia flight Pre to improve it at LS25MKII level without success !!!, it was just a bad thing !
So now the image is much much better, i'm satisfied with the overall result and i found the Reference 3 totally different in term of 3D image than the LS25MKII. The LS25MKII is providing a flat image in comparison with the Reference 3 with really gives a 3D image with a lot of space all around the instruments and voice. In comparison with LS25MKII the voices seem a little bit behind, so i need to be familiar with that new sound image. It maybe required more time on the tubes to get the voice as they were with the LS25MKII.
I checked inside my Reference 3 and the bypass capacitor are in place if i well understood where they are located (just behind the 4 golden capacitors), so i don't need to get some from Audio Research.
For the 6550 tube in place of 6L6GC can i just remove the 6L6GC and put a 6550 tube on the power supply stage ?
If yes, i will do the try with a new Sveltana 6550c i have in spare, and i will order a Tung-Sol 6550 Black plate as suggested by Elberoth2
So if you can confirm me for the 6550 tube it will be nice
Laurent

Hi,
Could someone please confirm that the 6L6GC can be changed by a 6550c with no risk. I guess i should the 4 by pass capacitor on directly on the back of the board where the 4 golden caps are located (0.024 µF cap i guess)
Thanks in advance
PS : i'm starting to be extremely happy since news tubes are into my Ref3 !

Hi Audiogon's Members,
I changed the tubes on Ref3 and it really starting to be much better in term of definition. My tubes should have around 20 Hours, so i guess it will improve again.
I'm very impressed by the 3D image of the preamp which for example place the voice at the right depth vs my old LS25MKII which provided a less deeper image.
What will be the benefit to put a 6550C in place of 6L6GC ?
Is the difference very import in term of image and definition ?
Best Regards
Laurent

Hi Hans,
Many thanks for the confirmation, i will do the test.
For the ByPass capacitors, i checked my Ref3, and they are there
Best Regards
Laurent

Hi All,
I had the chance to re listen the LS25MKII on my system directly front to front with my Ref3. So i confirm that Ref3 is on another league than the LS25MKII. The Ref3 sound more natural, with more details and it's 3D image is amazing.
New tubes, power cable and patience improved a lot the performance of the Ref3. I noticed also that removing the silicon rings on the 6H30 has improved the quality as well
Thanks again to all Audiogon members for their answers
I'm an happy Ref3 user now
Laurent