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Offered is „PH5“ by Audio Research as second-hand device from the category „Pre-Amplifier / Processor“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 9050644663 ends on 20.10.2026 at 08:33 o'clock.
Are you looking at a fairly priced entry into Audio Research phono? At €1,650, this sits close to the recent used level I can verify for the model, with a HifiShark listing at €1,560 and a new-issue review pricing it around €2,500 back when current. That makes the ask look fair to slightly firm, not a bargain-basement steal, but still reasonable if the unit is clean and complete.
What makes it worth buying is the PH 5’s core recipe: 57.5 dB gain, flexible loading, and the classic Audio Research tube/phono presentation that pairs well with both MM and MC cartridges. The real upside is getting a respected, full-featured stage from a serious maker without jumping to much pricier Reference territory. If it’s been well kept, with healthy tubes and no hum or scratchy controls, this is a solid enthusiast buy rather than a project.
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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