On October 11, 2022, Audio Research executive and audio industry friend, Brandon Lauer was badly injured in a motorcycle accident in Minnesota. He is alive but is in very serious condition. His recovery is realistically expected to take months if not years. Thankfully, Brandon was wearing leathers, gloves and of course a helmet. Doctors suggest that these precautionary measure might have saved his life in such a traumatic accident.
“This isn’t the first horrific motorcycle accident that has impacted the audiophile community” say Jerry Del Colliano, publisher of FutureAudiophile.com. “We understand that Brandon has sustained serious injuries but we are hoping that with the help of his medical team and the support of his husband, Nicholas Perkins, that he makes a speedy recovery.”
A GoFundMe.com campaign has been started to help with medical costs, costs of living expenses, future transportation and more. Click here to see read more about the accident from Nicholas Perkins who goes into far more detail about the accident on that site. If possible, please make a donation.
You can keep track of Brandon’s recovery on Caring Bridge which is being updated periodically.
The History of Audio Research
Audio Research Corporation is a prestigious American high-end audio manufacturer founded in 1970 by William Z. Johnson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company was established with a clear vision to advance vacuum tube technology in an era when the audio industry was beginning to shift toward solid-state designs. Johnson, a former audio engineer, had a deep appreciation for the musicality and harmonic accuracy that tube amplification could provide. In founding Audio Research, he sought to demonstrate that vacuum tubes, when engineered properly, could deliver superior sound quality, particularly in the context of high-fidelity reproduction.
In the early 1970s, Audio Research quickly gained attention with the introduction of its first major products, which were designed with a philosophy centered around transparency, natural tonal balance, and extended frequency response. Their first preamplifier, the SP-1, released in 1971, set a new standard in the industry for sound quality. The SP-1 was followed by the SP-3 in 1973, a design that would cement Audio Research’s reputation as a leader in high-end audio. The SP-3 preamp was praised for its ability to deliver a smooth, rich, and detailed sound, bringing out the nuance in recordings that had previously been difficult to achieve with solid-state designs.
Alongside these pioneering preamplifiers, Audio Research also introduced its first power amplifiers, such as the D-75 and D-150, in the mid-1970s. These amplifiers featured the use of vacuum tubes in their design, a departure from the predominantly solid-state amplifiers found on the market at the time. Audio Research’s tube amplifiers became known for their ability to provide both high power output and low distortion, qualities that were often seen as mutually exclusive in the audio industry. The D-75, in particular, was lauded for its smooth, dynamic sound and ability to drive a wide range of loudspeakers with ease, making it a favorite in both home and professional listening environments.
Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, Audio Research continued to refine its product offerings, developing new models that expanded on their tube-based designs. The company’s focus on high-performance components, meticulous engineering, and a commitment to sonic accuracy helped the brand become a fixture in the high-end audio industry. In particular, Audio Research became known for its hybrid designs, combining vacuum tubes with solid-state components like transistor-based rectifiers to improve the performance and reliability of its amplifiers. This hybrid approach allowed Audio Research to harness the musicality of tubes while incorporating the benefits of modern electronics.
One of the most significant milestones in Audio Research’s history came in the 1990s with the introduction of the Reference Series. This new product line represented the pinnacle of Audio Research’s engineering efforts. The first product in the Reference Series, the REF1 preamplifier, was introduced in 1997 and immediately became a landmark product in the audiophile world. The REF1, designed as a fully balanced, tube-based preamplifier, offered unprecedented levels of transparency and resolution, allowing listeners to hear greater detail and subtlety in their music. Following the success of the REF1, Audio Research expanded the Reference Series with additional models, including the REF600 monoblock amplifiers, which became a reference standard in the audiophile community for their combination of power, precision, and natural tonal balance.
Throughout its history, Audio Research has remained committed to the principles of exceptional craftsmanship and sound quality. The company has continued to innovate within the high-end audio space, incorporating advancements in tube technology, component quality, and design aesthetics. Despite the growing dominance of solid-state electronics in the audio industry, Audio Research has steadfastly adhered to the belief that tube-based designs offer a unique and unmatched sonic experience. This dedication to vacuum tube technology has set Audio Research apart from many of its competitors, making it one of the few remaining manufacturers of high-end tube amplifiers.
In 2008, Audio Research was acquired by Fine Sounds Group (later rebranded as McIntosh Group), which owns several other renowned high-end audio brands, including McIntosh, Sonus faber, and Wadia. Under the ownership of Fine Sounds, Audio Research expanded its presence in the global high-end audio market while continuing to produce the same high-quality products it had become known for. During this period, Audio Research introduced a range of new products, including integrated amplifiers and digital source components, further diversifying its product line. The company’s commitment to tube-based designs and its long-standing tradition of precision engineering remained central to the brand’s identity, even as it expanded into new product categories.
In 2020, Audio Research was sold to AR Tube Audio, a Minnesota-based investment group with deep ties to the high-end audio industry. This acquisition brought the company back under local ownership and solidified its position as a leader in tube-based audio. With renewed focus and resources, Audio Research reaffirmed its commitment to the design and production of high-performance tube electronics, ensuring that its products would continue to be crafted with the same attention to detail and sound quality that had defined the brand for over four decades.
Today, Audio Research remains one of the most respected and influential names in high-end audio. Known for its meticulous engineering, durable craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to the art of tube amplification, the company’s products continue to set benchmarks for audiophile performance. Whether through its iconic Reference Series amplifiers or its modern integrated designs, Audio Research has maintained its position at the forefront of the high-fidelity audio industry, beloved by audiophiles and music lovers around the world.
