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Offered is „REF6“ by Audio Research as second-hand device from the category „Tube-Preamp“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 3637270131 ends on 24.10.2026 at 06:17 o'clock.
At €9,950, this looks fair to slightly firm versus the recent used market for the original REF6, which I’d place roughly in the €7,200–€9,500 band, with the strongest comps clustering around €8,000–€9,500 and asking prices sometimes reaching €10,500 in the wild. So this is not a bargain, but it’s also not out of line for a clean example; I’d call it a sensible buy if the condition is genuinely good and the unit is complete.
The REF6 is well regarded because it gives you that classic Audio Research mix of scale, dimensionality, and tonal richness, with enough resolution and drive to anchor a serious system; it’s also a model people still actively seek out, which helps resale confidence. At this price, the upside is mainly a well-kept unit with box, remote, and documented service history, since tube line stages reward careful ownership; if it’s been recently serviced or is an original-owner piece, that adds real value.
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.
audio-markt.de
Good
Hifitörget
eBay US
Paragon Sight & Sound
Dealer
Hifitörget
SE
eBay UK
GB
