Thanks. That seems to have done the trick.
pri_ref.value
has
'\x1c\x01SERVERA.FOO.BAR.ORG/STAGE\x14\x01SERVERA.foo.bar.org|2188\t\x01Primary\x08\x01Active\x15\x01172.31.33.69|1972\x15\x01SERVERA.foo.bar.org|1972'

The field separator appears to be \x01. However there is smattering of 
\x1c
\x14
\t
\x08
\x15

Not sure why there are these hex characters?

Thanks.

I missed that parameter

I'll give it a try

Thanks.

Works like a dream!