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Compared with a new phono stage or a lower-tier modern line stage at this money, £1,995 is not a bargain for an LS17SE, but it is broadly in the fair-to-strong used zone if the unit is clean and fully working. The SE launched at $5,500, and recent second-hand asks I found cluster around the mid-£2k to low-£3k equivalent, so this sits a little below the middle of that bracket rather than being cheap.
That still makes it attractive because this is one of Audio Research’s well-liked hybrid line stages: open, dynamic, and refined without losing tube flow, with genuinely serious spec for the money. If it comes with the remote, box, and documented service history, that adds real value. The main buyer check is age-related: confirm quiet tube operation, stable channel balance, and that all functions on the remote and front panel work 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.
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audio-markt.de
Good
eBay US
eBay US
Paragon Sight & Sound
Dealer
Hifitörget
SE
eBay UK
GB
