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Audio Research SP-11 Tube PreamplifierDescription: .For sale is a lately tested and thus fully operational Audio Research SP-11 Tube Preamplifier . This is truly wonderful sounding paired with the M300 monoblock amplifiers , which we also have for sale. If you are nearby to us on the East Coast, please come and hear a demonstration of them-we are by appointment only. All tubes test in the green Every machine is tested thoroughly and competently for many an hour at our shop after servicing We do the majority of our business at our storefront in Rhode Island. We encourage you to make an appointment and hear the unit for yourself! Give us a ring at [phone removed by eBay]. Shipped promptly and competently-see our hundreds of positive feedback on our adept shipping methods.Included: (2) Amplifier
The Audio Research SP-11 tube preamp originally retailed new for around USD6,000 back in the late '80s—solid build quality that holds up. At USD4,500, this asking price sits at the upper end of the recent used market range (median USD2,571 from seven comps, 25th-75th percentiles USD1,571-USD4,021), making it ambitious rather than a steal. Fair if pristine with low hours, but you'd want to negotiate toward the median for similar tested units.
Before biting, verify tube life and matching—SP-11s chew through 6DJ8s and 6550s if not biased right, with common hum or channel imbalance from aged caps. Insist on original remote, manual, and power cord; test all inputs/outputs for noise floor, as these 35+ year-olds often need a recap to sing properly.
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.
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