Audio Research SP20, with phono, remote, 465 hours, original tubes plus matched quad of new 6H30Pi, headphone jack

Excellent Audio Research tube preamplifier with built in Audio Research phono section and headphone jack. 465 hours on the clock.  Original factory tubes (Sovtek 14 02) sound great.  I have a matched quad of ElectroHarmonix 6H30Pi tubes, of highest grade available (high gain, balanced, with low noise and microphonics), new in their boxes, and I will include them in the sale if my price is met these are worth $140 at current prices.

 I am the second owner.  I know of no issues.  Everything works.  It will ship double boxed in its original Audio Research packaging.   I have too many systems going here, I sold the amp that I was using with this, and so now I'm offering this preamp too.

If you've never had an Audio Research preamp with phono, you're in for a treat.  You can adjust the phono cartridge loading from your listening position by cycling through the choices using the remote control.  The phono section has 58 dB of gain.  I have been running a Lyra Kleos on the 200 Ohm setting, and it has plenty of gain for this low output moving coil cartridge.   

As the photos show, when I packed this up, I removed the tubes for safe shipping. They are marked V1 through V4, and the sockets into which they go are also marked V1 to V4.  Audio Research ships them this way, and they include a screw driver so that you can take the cover off and reinstall them when they're at your location.  You can see they're well packed in the original factory container. Note in the photos that there is a small scratch in the top plate.  It is not visible from the front.  If it weren't for this minor scratch, it could be rated as a 9 under Audiogon's rating rules
. 
The SP20 can be used with either balanced or unbalanced amps and sources.  See the picture of the back of the unit for available connections.  

I've enjoyed this component.  The line section is as good as anything I've heard.  In the Stereophile review, Audio Research is said to have reported to the reviewer that the line section sounded like something between the LS17SE and the LS27, and that the phono section was similar in sound to the PH8.  Those components were priced at $14k new.  I have not done this comparison myself, but it's plausible.  It is very quiet, dynamic, and natural. You can find the Stereophile review by googling Audio Research SP20 Review.
It will ship in its original Audio Research double box packaging.  Everything is included as shown in the photos, including power cord, remote control, owner's manual, screw driver, quality control sheet, and warranty cards.   As of this writing, I am also including the aforementioned NIB matched quad of highest grade ElectroHarmonix 6H30Pi tubes worth an additional $140 at street prices.

If you have questions, please ask before committing to buy.  No PayPal fee.  Buyer pays Shipping.  If you use buy it now, I'll pay for insured shipping to CONUS via FedEx Ground or UPS.