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Audio Research LS28se Pre Amplifier Looking to purchase an Audio Research LS28se to match in with my PH9 phono pre amp. Condition: Mint-Excellent Payment Method: Region/State: (NSW) New South Wales/Australia By Mitch92 0 Comments AUD $8,000 Date: September 7, 20241 yr
Compared with buying a new preamp at this level, A$8,000 for a like-new LS28SE is fair to strong, not cheap but also not an overreach for a current-generation Audio Research piece. Without live market comps here, I’d treat it as roughly mid-to-upper fair for the used market in AUD, with the like-new condition doing real work in its favor.
It’s a worthwhile buy if you want the Audio Research house sound: big scale, very clean tone, and enough drive to anchor a serious system without getting clinical. The SE version is the one to want, and a tidy listing with original packing, remote, and low hours is the sort of setup that tends to hold value well; I’d focus less on bargain-hunting and more on service history and whether the tubes are fresh enough to be a non-issue.
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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