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Angeboten wird „Reference 250 SE“ von Audio Research als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Röhren-Endverstärker“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 619432589 endet am 21.06.2026 um 09:22 Uhr.
Audio Research’s Reference 5 sits near the top of ARC’s classic tube line-stage hierarchy, and the asking price is very ambitious against your EUR market anchor. At €12,950, it’s far above the €4,618 median and even well past the €6,943 75th percentile, so this is not a bargain-level listing. The gap is large enough that buyers will need a strong justification beyond normal market pricing.
That said, it’s a respected preamp for a reason: a spacious, highly resolving, dynamically convincing presentation with the liquidity and drive that make ARC line stages so sought after. If the unit is truly good condition, functions cleanly, and includes original packaging, remote, and documentation, the premium is easier to understand for a collector-quality example. For a normal user buy, though, the value case depends on exceptional provenance and service history.
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.
