Audio Research Ref 150 SE Reduced/Low Hours/Free Shipping/Near Mint

I am the co-owner of Ultra Fidelis, a high-end audio and home theater boutique in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and we are an authorized Audio Research dealer. I am offering for sale, my personally-owned Audio Research Reference-150SE vacuum tube power amplifier. The Ref-150SE has a natural/silver face plate and handles, with a natural/silver cover and “SE” badging. The serial number is 46822 and it was purchased from Audio Research three years ago. The original set of tubes were replaced, with a factory-matched full new set, last year and now have 526 hours on them (see meter photo) and are easily good for another 2,000+ hours on the output tubes and 4,500+ hours on the signal tubes.

The “SE” version of the original Reference-150 was a dramatic upgrade and includes many new technical developments, most notably the use of the Sovtek KT-150 power tubes and proprietary capacitors….the sonic improvements are not subtle. As Roy Gregory noted in his Audio Beat review, “This isn’t just evolution -- this is transformation. while the 150 SE’s core capabilities remain firmly rooted in its ability to deliver convincing dynamic range and weight, coupled to a rich and natural tonal palette, it now augments those qualities with a level of spatial, textural, harmonic and dimensional resolution that adds shape and perspective to the picture. Vocal and instrumental accents are much more apparent, each performer’s character more identifiable, the overall shape of the song clearer and musically more effective.” I quite agree.

I am the original, and only, owner of this piece. I live in a smoke-free, child-free, and pet-free home and this unit is in near-mint condition. With the exception of two tiny scratches on the back-center area of the top cover (see close-up photo – not visible in original shot), there are no other scuffs, scratches, blemishes, or imperfections of any kind. Absent these extremely minor flaws, this is a “like factory new” piece. (And I have a beautiful Harmonic Resolution Systems silver damping plate, should you wish to cover the center strip of the top. The HRS DPX-14545-S retails for $330 and is available for an additional $150.)

Fully-insured shipping to any buyer in the Continental United States will be provided at my expense, via UPS Ground on the next business day after payment, and tracking information will also be provided via e-mail. I’m sorry, but I do not ship outside the Continental United States and I will not discuss voltage conversions for use in other countries; please buy locally from authorized Audio Research dealers.

Payment may be made via PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, cashier’s check, or wire transfer but I will only ship to the address associated with the payment account...no exceptions unless we knew each other in high school. There are no additional fees for PayPal or credit card use and no sales tax will be charged.

Full specs are available on the Audio Research website. You can check out our business at www.ultrafi.com and please look at our flawless feedback here on Audiogon if you have any concerns....our reputation and our business are a whole lot more important than any sale, so we always under-promise and over-deliver.

Thanks for looking and please either e-mail ([email protected]), or give me a call on my cell (414-630-1131) if I can answer any questions.

-Scott Wilson, Ultra Fidelis - A Better Audio & Home Theater Experience