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Offered is „Audio Research LS-28 SE“ by Audio Research as second-hand device from the category „Pre-Amplifier / Processor“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 1514282698 ends on 12.10.2026 at 14:20 o'clock.
This is a later-generation version of the LS28, so timing matters mainly because it remains the current-value sweet spot rather than an orphaned older preamp. At €5,300, it lands well below the €6,459 25th percentile and far under the €7,634 median, so this reads as a strong buy rather than just fair value.
That’s especially true for a model like this: Audio Research’s line stages are prized for scale, tonal density, and a very polished but still dynamic presentation, with the SE update carrying the better-regarded refinement over the original LS28. In good condition, this is the kind of listing that rewards a quick close if the tubes are healthy and the unit is complete; the only real caveat is the usual tube-preamp check on service history and wear, but at this price the upside is solid.
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.
