RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Store display Audio Research SP9 MKIII in Silver Finish. Comes in factory double box, with foam inserts and power cord. Perfect working condition. Will be professionally packed in another box, fully insured and delivered to your address within the lower 48 States. Local pickup on Long Island NY also more than welcome. Thank you.
Condition is unknown, so I’d treat US$2,250 as ambitious for an SP9 MK III unless it’s been fully serviced and comes with standout provenance or extras. Recent used asking prices I found cluster around roughly US$1,385–US$1,595, and one older reference puts the SP9 MK III’s new MSRP at US$2,495, which makes this asking price feel close to top-of-market rather than a value play.
That said, this is a respected Audio Research hybrid: it brings a lively tube front end, a solid phono stage, and the kind of openness and drive that made the SP9 line popular. If the unit is clean, quiet, and recently maintained, it can still be a very rewarding preamp for someone who wants classic ARC tone with real phono utility. The big thing to verify is service history, because age and tube-related upkeep matter more here than cosmetics.
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
eBay US
eBay US
Paragon Sight & Sound
Dealer
Hifitörget
SE
eBay UK
GB
