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Audio Research CD5 CD Player - Excellent 9.5/10 Condition - One Owner - Complete Original PackagingFor sale is a beautiful, one-owner Audio Research CD5 CD player in excellent condition, rated 9.5 out of 10. This is a highly regarded reference-level CD player known for its smooth, musical, and analog-like sound that many audiophiles still prefer over many modern digital sources.Condition: rated 9.5 out of 10. This unit has been gently used by one careful owner and remains in near-mint cosmetic condition.Included AccessoriesOriginal Audio Research remote controlOriginal owner’s manualAudio Research CD clamp (puck)Original Audio Research factory box with all original packing materialsBNC digital output capability (in addition to standard RCA and AES/EBU)Key FeaturesTop-loading Philips PRO mechanismPremium Burr-Brown DACsExceptional build quality and refined, low-jitter performanceBalanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) outputsMultiple digital inputs and outputsThe Audio Research CD5 is a true classic — clean, detailed, and highly musical with excellent soundstaging and natural timbre. It has held its value extremely well among serious audiophiles.This is a rare opportunity to own a top-condition example with full original packaging and accessories. Perfect for anyone looking for a high-end CD player that delivers long-term listening satisfaction.Serious buyers only. Please ask any questions before bidding. Shipping will be fully insured and professionally packed in the original factory box.
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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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