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Angeboten wird „Audio Research i50 gold integrated amplifier“ von Audio Research als Ausstellungsstück aus der Kategorie „Röhren-Vollverstärker“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 9921674907 endet am 18.09.2026 um 16:36 Uhr.
At €5,199, this Audio Research i50 listing sits exactly at the 75th percentile of recent EUR used comps, making it an ambitious but justifiable price for a top-tier unit in good condition rather than a bargain. The median for comparable listings is €3,478, with the 25th percentile at €3,141, so you are paying a premium for what appears to be a pristine example.
The i50 is a highly regarded 50W tube integrated that delivers the warm, dynamic sound signature of Audio Research with genuine flexibility, including a built-in phono stage and room for future upgrades like a deck input. Its use of soft-tech 6550 power tubes and 36922 signal tubes ensures a robust, musical performance that rivals many separates setups. At this price point, the value lies in securing a clean, well-maintained unit from a likely original owner, offering immediate access to a cult favorite without the wait or risk of hunting for a rare find.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Audio Research Corporation, founded in 1970 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by William Z. Johnson, traces its roots to his pioneering work in custom audio electronics during the 1950s and his operation of a specialty retail store through the mid-1960s. After a brief stint selling his designs to a larger firm, Johnson regained independence to establish ARC with a singular mission: advancing the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. From modest beginnings in the back of his shop, the company evolved into one of America's oldest continuously operating high-end audio manufacturers, now housed in a state-of-the-art 48,000-square-foot facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
ARC specializes in performance-driven electronics, renowned for vacuum-tube amplifiers, preamplifiers, and electronic crossovers that emphasize sonic purity over flashy features or aesthetics. Drawing on circuit designs rooted in the 1950s, the brand integrates tubes into modern contexts, delivering what it calls "high definition" sound through genuine technological advances. While not venturing into speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, ARC's focused lineup prioritizes amplifiers and preamps that set benchmarks for musical realism.
Positioned at the pinnacle of high-end audio, Audio Research is hailed as a true originator of the genre, commanding respect among audiophiles for its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Enduring the 1970s tube revival against solid-state dominance, ARC thrives via elite specialist retailers worldwide, standing alongside peers like Conrad-Johnson as a vintage-inspired yet forward-thinking force in the niche boutique market.
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