RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Compared with a new power amp in this class, US$2,000 is fair to slightly attractive for the Usher R1.5, not a steal but comfortably below its original US$3,990–US$4,390 retail and in line with used examples that have shown up around US$1,395 plus shipping. That puts this listing near the sensible middle of the market, so I’d read it as a reasonable buy if the unit is clean and the seller is straightforward rather than a price-break bargain.
What makes it worth a look is the amp itself: this is a hefty, high-current design with 150W per channel into 8 ohms, 260W into 4 ohms, and a reputation for strong grip and effortless drive on real speakers. At this price, I’d prioritize condition, service history, and whether the balanced/unbalanced version matches your system, because the upside here is a substantial, well-built amplifier that should still feel serious and current in a good setup.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Usher Audio traces its roots to 1972, when Tsai Lien-shui founded the company in central Taiwan as a modest shop selling imported audio components and offering repair services. Starting with a passion for high-fidelity sound, Tsai drew on his growing expertise to assemble his own products, naming the brand "Usher" after a suggestion evoking his Taiwanese nickname A-zuei. From these humble beginnings in Taichung, the company expanded into a dedicated factory, cementing its place among Taiwan's pioneering audio manufacturers.
The brand specializes in high-end loudspeakers and amplifiers, crafting cutting-edge designs that emphasize precision engineering and exacting standards. Iconic offerings include floorstanding models like the Dancer series, which earned a Best of the Best Golden Ear Award in 2005 as the first Asian winner, and more recent bookshelf speakers such as the SD500 with its diamond tweeter. Usher avoids diversification into turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, focusing instead on transducers and amplification that deliver exceptional clarity and dynamics.
Usher holds a respected niche in the global high-end market, favored by discerning audiophiles for its transparent, musical performance often compared favorably to electrostatic panels. While not a household name in the US, it enjoys cult status among insiders who praise its value and build quality, positioning it as a boutique Taiwanese powerhouse for serious hi-fi systems.
See all Usher listings on RADAR.
