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Tube preamplifier based on 2x ECC82 + 2x ECC88 tubesThe preamplifier offers additional functionality – the ability to change the topology of the SRPP/CCDA output stage, allowing for matching the device to a power amplifier.Premium design with a tempered glass front and polished edges, plus a minimalist aluminum remote control.The device has two gain stages:First stage: - 2 triodes connected in parallel – based on ECC82 tubesSecond stage: - SRPP or CCDA stage (switch selectable) – based on ECC88 tubes.Second stage as SRPP – used in LAMM preamplifiers, among others,Second stage as CCDA – used in Audio Research preamplifiers, such as the LS22 and many others.Technical Specifications:===Case:- Steel case,- Front panel - 6mm tempered glassPower Supply:- Tube power supply with 6C5S (6X5) + 6F3P (ECL82) tubes - new tubes (NOS),- CRCRC filter with MKP 40uF/900V Vishay fixed capacitors,- Filament power supply with CRC filter and LDO regulator,- Filter capacitors: Nippon/Rubycon Long Life 10000h,- Custom 70VA toroidal transformer.Preamplifier:- 2x ECC802S Tesla (NOS) + 2x E88CC Tesla (NOS)- Mundorf Supreme 2.2uF output capacitors,- Mundorf Silver-Gold 15nF interstage capacitors,- Low-noise resistors: DALE, Panasonic, Philips,- Oxygen-free copper wiring (OFC) by Neotech,- Gold-plated RCA jacks - original CMC from the official distributor- Blue ALPS potentiometer with remote control,- mute system when switched on.off===The preamplifier features an advanced and refined power supply, ensuring stable operation and a lack of hum. The photos show some sample measurements.How does it sound?In short, the sound is very dynamic, yet smooth and analog, with better-controlled bass than in classic tube topologies.A project with great potential - it's worth investing in tubes you can afford :)This is a universal tube preamplifier.The ECC81 tube or the long-lasting E80CC tube can also be used as an ECC82.I recommend the E80CC, which effectively replaces the hard-to-find ECC82 in good condition, and in my opinion, surpasses it sonically. The filament power supply has sufficient efficiency to handle the higher filament current of the E80CC.A 6N1P tube can also be used as an ECC88 - with this tube, pre-amp distortion increases, but mainly in the even harmonic range.
Audio Research’s classic line has a strong reputation for open, dimensional tube sound, so this is the kind of preamp that tends to reward careful buyers. At US$1,700, it sits just above your US$1,675 75th percentile and is a touch ambitious versus the US$1,650 median, but not wildly so.
That means it’s not a bargain, but it is still within striking distance of fair market if the unit is genuinely clean and ready to plug in. The upside is the usual one with Audio Research: excellent sonics, good long-term desirability, and a preamp that can still make a whole system feel more alive. For a lightly used, well-kept example with no service surprises, this is a plausible 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.
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