RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
This US$1,200 asking price is fair, sitting exactly at the median of the recent comparable market where the 25th percentile is US$1,188 and the 75th percentile is US$1,250. It is neither a bargain nor ambitious, but a solid, honest valuation for this specific stereo power amplifier in the current USD market.
The Audio Research D240 MKII remains a worthwhile buy because it delivers the musicality and life-like imaging of tube designs with the reliability of solid-state circuitry, offering 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms. Its exceptional clarity, deep bass punch, and neutrality make it a perfect amplifier for high-end horns or large speakers. Since the listing price is fair and the unit is a well-loved model, this represents a genuine buying opportunity for an enthusiast seeking top-tier sound without tube maintenance, assuming the condition is clean and accessories are included.
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.
