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Bought from Len Wallis. Less than 100 hours on the tubes. All accessories and original shipping box. No marks or blemishes. Works as is it should. Happy to audition for local buyers. It is a very heavy unit so would prefer local pickup but can ship at the buyers expense of course.
Audio Research’s i50 has the kind of pedigree that keeps it on many shortlists: a compact, refined integrated with real valve charm and enough authority to anchor a serious system. At A$5,250, this sits below the 25th percentile of your recent AUD comps, so it reads as a strong deal rather than just a fair one.
For buyers, the upside is straightforward: you’re getting a well-regarded piece of kit with premium build, strong musicality, and the usual Audio Research appeal in a more manageable integrated format. If it’s clean, fully working, and ideally includes original packaging or a documented service history, this looks like a very sensible buy at the money.
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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