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The item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Timing matters a bit here because this is a classic older Audio Research design rather than a current model, so the buy is really about condition and service history more than chasing the newest topology. At US$1,300, the asking price lands right on the median of recent comparable listings, against a US$1,250 25th percentile and US$1,525 75th percentile, so this reads as fair market rather than a bargain or stretch.
That said, a D240 MKII is still a worthwhile piece if you want the Audio Research sound: big, controlled, refined power with enough drive to make revealing speakers wake up. The upside is that well-kept examples tend to feel substantial and authoritative, and a clean, complete unit can be very satisfying at this level. I’d want to confirm service recency, because age is the real variable here; if it has been maintained properly, this is a sensible buy.
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.
