audio reference s r l
Audio Reference SRL is a Milan-based Italian distributor of high-end hi-fi audio equipment, representing 18+ premium international brands since 1978. The company supplies Italian authorized dealers with turntables, electronics, speakers, cartridges, cables, and audio accessories from world-class manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersMilan, Italy
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What audio reference s r l does
Audio Reference SRL is an Italian private limited company (SRL) founded in 1978 and headquartered in Milan that distributes high-end hi-fi audio equipment to Italian authorized dealers and specialty retailers. The company does not manufacture; its core business is curating and representing a portfolio of approximately 18 premium international audio brands spanning the full signal chain — turntables and tangential tonearms (Bergmann, Sorane, Michell), moving-coil phono cartridges (Hana, MY Sonic Lab, Soundsmith), tube and solid-state amplifiers and preamplifiers (Bryston, Pass Labs, Gryphon, Aesthetix, Koda), digital-to-analog converters and streamers (EMM Labs, Meitner), loudspeakers (ProAc, Rockport, Acapella), cables (Kimber Kable), record-cleaning machines (Okki Nokki), and audio furniture (Atacama). Brands are sold at price points from upper-entry audiophile to reference-class, with no public end-customer pricing — quotes are issued per-product via downloadable PDF price lists by brand.
The company's revenue model is a B2B specialty distribution margin on sales to authorized Italian dealers, with no disclosed pricing tiers, subscription component, or direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Go-to-market relies on an Italian-language content website (audioreference.it) functioning as a catalog and editorial hub (brand pages, specifications, aggregated third-party reviews and awards), active social media presence on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and physical presence at the major Italian hi-fi exhibition circuit including Milano Hi-Fidelity, Roma Hi-Fidelity, Gran Galà dell'Alta Fedeltà (Bologna), Bari Hi-End, Armonie Audio, Audiomax, and Sintonie High End.
The entity is privately held; ownership traces to founder Andrea Alessandro Licciardello per the website copyright notice, with stated share capital of €46,800 (fully paid) and no identified parent company, outside investment, subsidiaries, or M&A activity. No public revenue, headcount, or funding data is disclosed, and the company has no proprietary technology, API, or developer-facing platform.
audio reference s r l firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- audio reference s r l
- Legal name
- Audio Reference srl
- Website
- https://audioreference.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Audio Reference SRL is a Milan-based Italian distributor of high-end hi-fi audio equipment, representing 18+ premium international brands since 1978. The company supplies Italian authorized dealers with turntables, electronics, speakers, cartridges, cables, and audio accessories from world-class manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
audio reference s r l industry classification
Industry- Product category
- High-End Audio Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hi‑Fi / Audiophile Components (DACs, Amps, Turntables, Streamers) (CRACANAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pro Audio & Recording Equipment Retail (MI-adjacent) (CRALAEAC)
Keywords
Where audio reference s r l is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
audio reference s r l business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual product pricing via PDF price lists |
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
audio reference s r l product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Audio Reference SRL is the Italian distributor of high-fidelity and high-end audio equipment, supplying authorized Italian dealers and specialty retailers with turntables, tonearms, phono cartridges, amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, streamers, loudspeakers, cables, and audio furniture from a curated portfolio of international premium manufacturers. The company does not manufacture its own products; instead it provides distribution, local dealer support, editorial product information, and after-sales liaison for the brands it represents. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Milan, it has supplied the Italian audiophile channel for more than 45 years.
Product overview
Audio Reference SRL is an Italian high-end audio equipment distributor founded in 1978, headquartered in Milan. The company does not manufacture its own products but serves as the exclusive Italian distributor for a portfolio of premium audio brands. The product portfolio spans turntables and tangential tonearms (Bergmann, Sorane), moving coil phono cartridges (Hana, MY Sonic Lab, Soundsmith), electronics including amplifiers and preamplifiers (Bryston, Pass Labs, Gryphon, Aesthetix), digital converters and streamers (EMM Labs, Meitner), loudspeakers (ProAc, Rockport, Acapella), cables (Kimber Kable), and audio furniture/racks (Atacama Audio). The distributed brands represent products at various price points from entry-level audiophile to ultra-high-end reference class, with many products receiving international recognition from audio publications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bergmann turntables and tonearms Danish manufacturer of air-bearing turntables and tangential tonearms. Products include Galder Signature, Galder, Magne, Modi turntables and Thor, Odin tonearms. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference's authorized dealer network for audiophile consumers.
- Bryston electronics Canadian manufacturer founded in 1968 of high-end audio electronics. Distributed models include 2.5B³, 3B³, 4B³, 7B³, 14B³, 28B³ Cubed power amplifiers; BR-20, BP-19, BP-17 preamplifiers; BDA-3, BDA-3.14 DACs/streamers; BDP-3 digital player; BCD-3 CD player; Bi-200 integrated amplifier; BHA-1 headphone amplifier. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Pass Labs electronics American high-end amplifier manufacturer founded by Nelson Pass. Distributed models include XS 300, XS 150 mono amplifiers; XA 200.8, XA 160.8, XA 100.8, XA 60.8, XA 30.8, XA 25 Class A amplifiers; X 600.8, X 260.8, X 350.8, X 250.8, X 150.8 Class AB amplifiers; INT-250, INT-60, INT-25 integrated amplifiers; XS Pre 2, XP 12, XP 22, XP 32 preamplifiers; XS Phono, XP 17, XP 27 phono stages; HPA-1 headphone amplifier; First Watt F7, SIT 4, SIT 5 amplifiers. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Gryphon electronics and speakers Danish high-end audio electronics manufacturer. Distributed models include Diablo 333 integrated amplifier, Commander preamplifier, Apex amplifiers, Antileon EVO power amplifier, EOS 5 loudspeakers, and The Gryphon 40 limited edition. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Aesthetix tube electronics American manufacturer of vacuum-tube audio electronics. Distributed models include Mimas, Calypso, Atlas Eclipse, Romulus, Pallene and Dione integrated amplifiers and preamplifiers. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- EMM Labs / Meitner digital electronics Canadian manufacturer of high-end digital-to-analog converters and streamers. Distributed models include EMM Labs DA2i DAC/streamer, DV2i DAC/streamer, MTRS and Meitner MA-3i DAC. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Hana phono cartridges Japanese brand of moving-coil phono cartridges produced by Excel Sound. Distributed models include EL, SL MKII, SL Mono MKII, ML, EH, SH MKII, MH, Umami Blue, Umami Red and Umami Black cartridges. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- MY Sonic Lab phono cartridges Japanese manufacturer of high-end moving-coil phono cartridges founded by Yoshio Matsudaira in 2003. Distributed models include Eminent EX, Eminent Solo, Hyper Eminent EX, Ultra Eminent EX, Signature Gold, Signature Platinum, Signature Diamond and Stage 1030 step-up transformers. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Soundsmith phono cartridges American manufacturer of high-end phono cartridges. Distributed models include Zephyr MIMC Star and Hyperion MkII cartridges. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- ProAc loudspeakers British manufacturer of high-end loudspeakers. Distributed models include Response DB 1R, Response D20 R, Response D30 RS and Tablette 10 Signature. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Acapella loudspeakers and electronics German manufacturer of high-end horn-loaded loudspeakers and complementary electronics. Distributed models include Harlekin 2, La Campanella 2, High Basso Nobile, Cellini, High Cecilia, Campanile 2, Apollon, Triolon Excalibur, Hyperion, Sphaeron Excalibur loudspeakers, Ion Tweeter 1, and La Musika amplifiers. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Rockport loudspeakers American manufacturer of high-end loudspeakers. Distributed models include Lynx floorstanding speakers. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Kimber Kable cables American cable manufacturer founded by Ray Kimber in 1982. Distributed product lines include Carbon high-end power and signal cables, Select top-tier power/signal/phono/USB cables, Axios headphone cables, and the PBJ, Hero, Orchid, 8TC, 12TC and Tonik series. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Atacama Audio racks and furniture British manufacturer of audio equipment furniture. Distributed models include Evoque ECO 60-40 SE2, Elite ECO 24 Reference and Moseco 6 hi-fi racks and stands. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Michell turntables and phono stages British manufacturer of turntables and phono stages. Distributed models include Gyro, Revolv, TecnoDec, Orbe SE and Cusis S turntables, plus Apollo and Muse phono stages. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Sorane tonearms Japanese manufacturer of tonearms noted for its 'Spaziale Sound' spatial sound concept. Distributed models include TA-1L, SA-1.2 and ZA-12 tonearms. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Okki Nokki record cleaning machines Dutch manufacturer of vinyl record cleaning machines. Distributed models include Okki Nokki One DV and RCM One DV record cleaning machines. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
- Koda electronics Japanese manufacturer of high-end audio electronics. Distributed models include the Takumi K-10 preamplifier. Distributed in Italy through Audio Reference.
Companies that use audio reference s r l
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
audio reference s r l technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
audio reference s r l partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MY Sonic LabcoreJapanese phono cartridge manufacturer founded in 2003 by Yoshio Matsudaira with over 40 years of experience. Products include Eminent EX, Ultra Eminent EX, Signature Gold, Signature Platinum, and Signature Diamond cartridges.
- BergmanncoreDanish turntable manufacturer founded by designer Johnnie Bergmann. Produces air-bearing turntables and tangential tonearms including Galder Signature, Galder, Magne, Modi, Thor, and Odin models.
- Kimber KablecoreAmerican cable manufacturer founded by Ray Kimber in 1982. Produces a wide range of audio cables including Carbon, Select, Axios, PBJ, Hero, Orchid, 8TC, 12TC, and Tonik series.
- HanacoreJapanese phono cartridge brand produced by Excel Sound. Products include EL, SL MKII, SL Mono MKII, ML, EH, SH MKII, MH, Umami Blue, Umami Red, and Umami Black cartridges.
- Atacama AudiominorBritish audio furniture and rack manufacturer founded by Carl Sambell. Produces hi-fi racks, stands, and accessories including Evoque ECO, Moseco, and Elite ECO series.
- BrystoncoreCanadian audio electronics manufacturer founded in 1968. Products include amplifiers (Cubed series, B³ series), preamplifiers (BR-20, BP-19, BP-17), DACs (BDA-3, BDA-3.14), streamers, CD players, and headphone amplifiers.
- Pass LabscoreAmerican amplifier manufacturer founded by Nelson Pass. Products include Class A amplifiers (XA series, XS series), Class AB amplifiers (X series), integrated amplifiers (INT series), preamplifiers (XP series), phono stages, and headphone amplifiers. Nelson Pass is recognized as one of the great geniuses in international high-fidelity.
- AesthetixminorAmerican tube amplifier manufacturer. Products include Mimas, Calypso, Atlas, Romulus, Pallene, and Dione amplifiers and preamplifiers.
- ProAcminorBritish speaker manufacturer producing high-quality loudspeakers including Response DB1R, Response D20R, Response D30RS, and Tablette 10 Signature.
- GryphoncoreDanish high-end audio electronics manufacturer. Products include Diablo 333 integrated amplifier, Commander preamplifier, Apex amplifiers, Antileon EVO, EOS 5 speakers, and The Gryphon 40 limited edition.
- EMM Labs / MeitnerminorCanadian digital audio manufacturer. Products include DA2i and DV2i DAC/streamers, MTRS, and MA-3i digital-to-analog converters.
- MichellminorBritish turntable manufacturer. Products include Gyro, Revolv, TecnoDec, Orbe SE, and Cusis S turntables, plus Apollo and Muse phono stages.
- RockportminorAmerican speaker manufacturer. Products include Lynx and other high-end loudspeaker models.
- SoundsmithminorAmerican phono cartridge manufacturer. Products include Zephyr MIMC Star, Hyperion MkII, and other high-end cartridges.
- SoraneminorJapanese tonearm manufacturer. Products include TA-1L, SA-1.2, and ZA-12 tonearms known for 'Spaziale Sound' spatial sound concept.
- Okki NokkiminorDutch record cleaning machine manufacturer. Products include Okki Nokki ONE and RCM ONE DV record cleaning machines.
- KodaminorJapanese audio equipment manufacturer. Products include Takumi K-10 preamplifier and other audio electronics.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
audio reference s r l competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Audioplus: Italian high-end hi-fi equipment distributor operating a comparable B2B distribution and dealer-supply model for premium international brands in Italy. Directly competitive with Audio Reference for both brand principals seeking Italian representation and end customers purchasing through authorized dealers.
- HiFi Di Principe: Italian specialty hi-fi retailer and distributor with a long-established presence in Italy's high-end audio market. Comparable to Audio Reference in serving Italian audiophiles with prestigious international brands through authorized channels and event participation.
- Audio Point: Italian hi-fi specialist distributing premium international audio brands to Italian dealers and audiophile customers. Competes with Audio Reference for exclusive Italian distribution rights and operates a similar event-driven and dealer-network go-to-market.
Regional players
- Gecko Music: German high-end hi-fi distributor with a comparable portfolio of premium international brands (turntables, electronics, speakers). Operates in a different national market than Audio Reference but with the same B2B distribution model, making it a structurally comparable European peer.
Broad incumbents
- Sound United: US-based parent company of Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and Bowers & Wilkins. A broad incumbent in the audio industry whose brand portfolio overlaps with the categories Audio Reference distributes (amplifiers, speakers), though operating at much greater scale and with manufacturer-side economics.
- Focal Naim: French/UK-based high-end audio group combining loudspeaker (Focal) and electronics (Naim) brands. Operates across high-end audio categories similar to Audio Reference's distributed portfolio, though as a manufacturer/brand owner rather than an Italian distributor; relevant for benchmarking category dynamics.
- McIntosh Group: US high-end audio manufacturer (McIntosh Laboratory, Sonus Faber) serving the global premium audiophile segment. Competes for the same end customer wallet and overlaps in distributed product categories (amplification, loudspeakers), relevant as a benchmark for Audio Reference's portfolio positioning.
Others
- Kharma International: Netherlands-based ultra-high-end audio manufacturer producing loudspeakers and electronics. Operates in the same premium audiophile category as Audio Reference's distributed brands but as a manufacturer rather than distributor; relevant for understanding supply-side dynamics and brand portfolio curation.
Emerging players
- M2Tech: Italian digital audio specialist producing high-end DACs, phono stages, and accessories. Operates in the Italian audiophile ecosystem alongside Audio Reference's distributed brands; relevant as a domestic emerging player in adjacent product categories.
- North Star Design: Italian high-end digital audio manufacturer producing CD transports, DACs, and streamers. Operates in the Italian audiophile market overlapping with Audio Reference's distributed digital electronics (EMM Labs, Meitner), serving a similar customer base with adjacent products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
audio reference s r l social profiles
Digital presenceaudio reference s r l financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
audio reference s r l leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
audio reference s r l funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
audio reference s r l M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about audio reference s r l
What does audio reference s r l do?
Audio Reference SRL is the Italian distributor of high-fidelity and high-end audio equipment, supplying authorized Italian dealers and specialty retailers with turntables, tonearms, phono cartridges, amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, streamers, loudspeakers, cables, and audio furniture from a curated portfolio of international premium manufacturers. The company does not manufacture its own products; instead it provides distribution, local dealer support, editorial product information, and after-sales liaison for the brands it represents. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Milan, it has supplied the Italian audiophile channel for more than 45 years.
Is audio reference s r l a public or private company?
audio reference s r l is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was audio reference s r l founded?
audio reference s r l was founded in 1978.
Where is audio reference s r l based?
audio reference s r l is headquartered in Milan, Italy, in the Europe region.
Who are audio reference s r l's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Audioplus, HiFi Di Principe and Audio Point. Gecko Music is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Sound United, Focal Naim and McIntosh Group. Kharma International is listed as an others. Emerging players are M2Tech and North Star Design.
Does audio reference s r l have an API?
No public API is recorded for audio reference s r l.
What industry is audio reference s r l in?
audio reference s r l's product category is High-End Audio Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACANAI, Hi‑Fi / Audiophile Components (DACs, Amps, Turntables, Streamers), with a secondary code of CRALAEAC, Pro Audio & Recording Equipment Retail (MI-adjacent). Its NAICS code is 334310.