Audio Research Reference 20 Preamplifier
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Call or text: 410-239-2020Yes, that's literally his cell
At this level, every detail matters: your room, your system, what you’re driving it with, what you’re listening to. I handle these orders personally because an investment like this deserves more than an Add to Cart button. We’ll work through system synergy, I’ll make sure the setup is right, and we’ll coordinate delivery so it arrives exactly how it should. A few of our brands require this direct approach, but at this price point, it’s how I’d do it anyway. Use the button above, or call/text me directly at 410-239-2020.
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Family-Owned Authorized Dealer
We're an authorized dealer for every brand listed on this site, so your warranty is valid and fully supported. We're a real brick-and-mortar shop in Chestertown, MD with shelves of actual inventory, not a drop-shipper. Family-owned and run for three generations, since 1978.
*Free Delivery and Shipping
*Free Delivery and Shipping
Free shipping for most items over $100! Local delivery up to 500 miles more with minimum qualifying purchase.
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Audio Research Reference 20 Preamplifier
The Reference 10, introduced in 2012, has held the mantle as the finest preamplifier ever built by Audio Research, and certainly resides among the great preamp designs across the industry. In 2024 the Reference 330M offered a dramatic new benchmark in amplifier performance, challenging Audio Research to create new preamplifiers that offered similar breakthroughs.
The REF20 builds upon Audio Research's state of the art with performance that decisively advances both the expression and resolution of their flagship preamp well beyond prior boundaries. Both the new physical design and sound are not only a worthy successor to the REF10, but also a fitting partner to the REF330M amplifier. Dimension, scale, weight and authority are all improved, but sheer presence and precision are so startlingly improved that one will wonder how all of this is coming from a single chassis preamp.
Accepting pre-orders now with a retail of $48,000.
