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Offered is „ARC REF 150 black“ by Audio Research as second-hand device from the category „Tube-Poweramp“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 5894343895 ends on 23.10.2026 at 11:45 o'clock.
Audio Research’s REF 150 sits near the top of the brand’s classic tube power-amp hierarchy, with the kind of scale and refinement that keeps it on wish lists for years. At €4,500, this is a touch above the €4,285 75th percentile and clearly above the €4,069 median, so it reads as ambitious rather than a bargain.
That said, the model has real staying power: big-room control, tonal richness, and the sort of effortless drive that makes high-end speakers come alive. If the unit is genuinely clean, has been serviced sensibly, and includes the right tubes and accessories, the premium can make sense for a serious buyer. The main thing to verify is service history, because older tube power amps reward good upkeep more than cosmetic perfection.
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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