Auio Research Corporation is the oldest manufacturer of high-end audio still in operation. They were pioneers at advancing the state-of-the-art for audio reproduction in the seventies, re-introducing the vacuum tube as the primary active amplification device. With the help of audiophile publications such as Stereophile and The Absolute Sound, they solidified their position as one of the most well respected audio manufacturers. Many industry observers consider the president and founder William Z. Johnson as one of the true originators of the entire concept of high end audio as it exists today.