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Audio Research LS27 Vacuum tube Pre Amplifier Here offered to sell my preloved, extremely well cared for ARC LS27 tube preamplifier. This is a pure class-A design. At point of release, ARC considered it as their finest preamp in the LS series. Comes with remote. Absolutely mint condition, no marks, dents, scratch whatsoever. Works like new. Retail price in 2011 was $6995 USD, equates to around $11,000 today’s AUD. Sounds amazingly detailed, superbly transparent, naturalness and great imaging. It has the lush and warmth of tube tone with the bass control of SS preamp. Audio Research and s
This is a fair ask for an LS27 in Australia. New, it sat in true high-end territory, and used examples typically land well above A$5,000 once you factor in rarity and local supply; so this isn’t a bargain-bin price, but it’s reasonable if the unit is clean, fully functional, and current on tube life.
The LS27 is well regarded for its resolving, very quiet presentation and flexible gain settings, with the kind of drive and composure that made it a strong step toward ARC’s Reference gear. At this price, the big value points are low tube hours, original packaging, remote, and proof of recent servicing or tube replacement; those matter more than cosmetic perfection on a tube preamp of this age.
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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