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Excellent Audio Research LS3 Preamplifier. All original, well taken care of (covered while not in use), and very clean in and out!!Frequency response: ±.5 dB, 2.0 Hz to 100 kHz. -3dB points below 1 Hz and above 200 kHzDistortion: (THD)Less than .01% at 2V RMS output. (Typically less than .005% in midband)Noise & hum: 18 µV RMS maximum IHF weighted noise at main output with gain control minimum (more than 100 dB below 2V RMS output, or 4V balanced output (LS3B))Gain: Main output: 18 dB (optional 10 dB gain reduction) Tape output: 0 dB Balanced output (LS3B): 24 dBInput impedance: 50 kOhms (100 kOhms Direct)Output impedance: 250 Ohms main output. 500 Ohms balanced (LS3B). Recommended load 60K Ohms and 100 pF (20K ohms minimum and 1000 pF maximum)Output polarity: -Maximum inputs: 20V maximumRated outputs: 2V RMS 2 Hz to 100 kHz, all outputs, 60K ohm load (maximum output 35V RMS (70V RMS balanced) (LS3B) at 1/2% THD at 1 kHz into 100K ohms)Power supplies: Electronically-regulated low and high voltage supplies. Line regulation better than .01%.Power requirements: 100-135VAC 60 Hz (200-270VAC 50/60 Hz) 25 Watts maximum (35 Watts maximum LS3B)Dimensions: 19" (48 cm) W x 5 ¼" (13.4 cm) H (standard rack panel) x 10 ¼" (26 cm) D. Handles extend 1 ⅝" (4.1 cm) forward of front panel. Rear chassis fittings extend ½" (1.3 cm)
Is US$1,200 the right number for a clean LS3 right now? Against the recent used market, it lands a touch above the US$1,100 median and below the US$1,259 75th percentile, so this reads as fair-to-slightly-strong rather than a bargain.
That’s still sensible for a preamp with Audio Research’s usual strengths: very musical phono-friendly line-stage behavior, a refined midrange, and enough authority to anchor a serious analog or digital front end. If the unit is truly well cared for, with quiet operation and any original packing or documentation, the premium is easier to justify; at this price, the main check is simply age-related service history and whether the listing can confirm it’s working correctly.
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.
