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Angeboten wird „Audio Research CD9 SE Schwarz - Referenz Röhren CD-Player / Wandler (DAC) (Vorführware)“ von Audio Research als Ausstellungsstück aus der Kategorie „CD Player“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 6290201392 endet am 29.07.2026 um 06:04 Uhr.
At €11,000 for a good-condition Audio Research DAC-8, this asking price is ambitious—well above the €6,410 median from recent comparable EUR listings (€4,127 at the 25th percentile, €8,693 at the 75th). Typical used market values for this classic DAC hover in the €4,000-€8,000 range, so you'd need strong justification like pristine internals or recent servicing to make it worthwhile; otherwise, shop around for better alignment.
Before buying, verify the output stage—older DAC-8s can suffer capacitor degradation leading to noisy or weak analog performance—and confirm it includes the original remote, power cord, and manual. Test all digital inputs (AES/EBU, SPDIF, USB) thoroughly, as firmware glitches are a known quirk in high-hour units.
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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