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If you’re looking to make a statement, both visually and aurally, look no further than the Audio Research REF 250SE monoblocks.
Audio Research’s Reference 250se sits right in the serious-end power amp bracket: highly regarded, very costly new, and aimed at listeners who want scale, authority, and refinement. At £13,990, this listing lands below the £14,498 25th percentile and well under the £15,012 median of the recent GBP comps, so it reads as a strong deal rather than merely fair.
That makes it a compelling buy if you want the ARC house sound—big dynamics, low-level texture, and the kind of control that can wake up demanding speakers without sounding clinical. The excellent condition and included cables & accessories add real value, especially on a piece this specialized, where completeness and careful ownership matter. For a clean example at this price, the main upside is getting reference-level performance without paying top-of-market 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.
See all Audio Research listings on RADAR.
audio-markt.de
Good
eBay US
eBay US
Paragon Sight & Sound
Dealer
Hifitörget
SE
eBay UK
GB
