[sts9fan]

So I am looking for a budget tube preamp(like everyone on this board). I have seen a tone of Audio research products on audiogon but have no clue about the models. Also there are so many avalible it makes me wonder why so many are being sold. If anyone as any info or a link to archived products that would be great.

[mcrespo71]

So I am looking for a budget tube preamp(like everyone on this board). I have seen a tone of Audio research products on audiogon but have no clue about the models. Also there are so many avalible it makes me wonder why so many are being sold. If anyone as any info or a link to archived products that would be great.

Audio Research is a company that has been doing business for over 30 years, so it always has lots of used equipment on the market.  It just makes sense, as they have many, many different models out there of various vintage.

[gslashcpc]

sts9fan-
   try www.arcdb.ws/ for archived  Audio Research stuff.

[warnerwh]

There are excellent deals to be had with ARC gear. An LS 9 is still considered to be an excellent preamp. ARC has parts and can service any gear they've made since the 70's. Customer support is excellent and the products are very well made. These guys know what they're doing.

[Russell Dawkins]

Seems to me Audio Research almost single handedly kept the tube flame alight in the dark days of the early 70s when even MacIntosh went solid state with many models.

[audiojerry]

I'm a huge ARC supporter. I own a VT200, and have owned several other pieces of ARC gear including the LS25 pre. All are excellent performers, extremely well built, with possibly the best reliability and support in the industry.

But if $1600 is within your budget for a new pre, I have not heard a better pre than SAS. Hand built with great care and dedication from a truely gifted designer, Steve Sammet. He is a fellow AC'er, and offers a generous audition policy, and he personally stands behind everything he builds.

[Eric]

I second the vote for the SAS audio pre.

[Bob Reynolds]

As it was said earlier, ARC is a great company and many of the items up for sale are much older models. I'd bet than many of those folks are upgrading to newer models of ARC gear. I've owned an LS12 for the last 3 years and it has performed flawlessly. It is now up for sale on audiogon because I upgraded to a Pass Labs X1. You could do a lot worse than anything ARC sells.