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Offered is „EC-21“ by Audio Research as second-hand device from the category „Speaker, Headphone“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 8699140493 ends on 07.11.2026 at 06:17 o'clock.
Audio Research’s EC-21 has a solid reputation as a serious active tube crossover, so €1,650 looks fair to slightly attractive rather than a steal. Recent asking prices I found cluster around about €1,200, and one European listing shows €1,650 against an original price of €3,000, which puts this right in the sensible-used zone for a clean example.
What makes it worth considering is the usual Audio Research mix of flexible, high-end system tuning and a very “audiophile” presentation if you’re actively crossing over mains and subs or biamping. A good-condition unit with proof of service, original box, or intact accessories is the kind of listing that makes sense to grab, especially since these aren’t common on the market.
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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