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Angeboten wird „i50 silver integrated amplifier“ von Audio Research als Neugerät aus der Kategorie „Röhren-Vollverstärker“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 7461016060 endet am 11.09.2026 um 06:04 Uhr.
Is €5,990 a smart buy for a used Audio Research i50 when the typical used market median sits at €3,312? This asking price is aggressively ambitious, sitting nearly double the median and well above the 75th percentile of €4,107 from your recent European comparables; even the new MSRP in Europe is €6,500, making €5,990 for a used unit in “EUR” condition a poor value unless it includes rare extras or is effectively brand-new with full warranty.
The i50 is a well-regarded tube integrated delivering 50W via JJ 6550 power tubes and 6922 signal tubes, praised for its warm, dynamic sound and true all-in-one flexibility with optional phono and DAC modules. At this price, however, you’re paying near-new money for a used product with no clear upside in rarity or condition; unless the listing includes original accessories, extended warranty, or is demonstrably unopened, a fairer target is €3,100–€3,400, where this amplifier becomes a genuine buying opportunity.
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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