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Offered is „160 S“ by Audio Research as second-hand device from the category „Power Amplifier“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 6048871491 ends on 17.11.2026 at 17:31 o'clock.
Against the recent used market, €12,000 is clearly ambitious: it sits well above the €7,942 75th percentile and nearly doubles the €6,126 median for comparable EUR listings. That does not make it absurd if the unit is exceptionally sorted, but it is not a bargain or even a fair-market ask on the numbers alone.
What keeps interest alive is the model’s reputation for big, effortless power, rich midband texture, and the kind of control that suits revealing speakers. For a clean example, provenance and upkeep matter more than usual here, so original packaging, service history, and proof of recent maintenance would add real value; without those, I’d want the price lower before calling it a strong buy.
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.
