#11
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There's been a lot of speculation as to what led to ARC's crisis. It's likely that there is no one simple cause, but I think the biggest factor was insufficient operating capital. Let's hope its new owners have the wherewithal needed to develop new products and clear the service backlog. One way or another, it won't take long to find out.
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Primary sources: VPI TNT III/SDS turntable, SME-V arm; Bryston BDP-3 digital player; Bryston BDA-3 DAC; McIntosh MVP-881 disc player; McIntosh MR-80 tuner. Preamplifier Audio Research Ref 5SE; Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE; Moon 430 HA. Amplifiers Conrad Johnson Premier 1B; Audio Research D-300; Bryston 4B. Speakers Infinity IRS Beta. Recorders Tandberg TD20A; Crown SX-822; Nakamichi 670ZX; Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. Power Tice Power Block/Titan (x2); McIntosh MPC1500; API Ultra II-20; multiple 20A derated dedicated lines. |
#12
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I have always admired and had great respect for ARC. My problem has been that folks would come on and trash McIntosh. I didn't appreciate this at all. But I have always recognized ARC as the standard bearer for American tube amps. Let's face it, Mac abandoned tubes for a long time, and only recently have returned to their roots.
I think you are 100% correct that ARC's association with Mac severely damaged the company. Why? They tried to emulate Mac with all those doodads like meters, etc. My friend at Mac said as much. Mac gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from ARC because Mac studied ARC very very carefully while they owned ARC. Mac had access to all the ARC technology. I could tell you one very important thing Mac learned about tubes, but I don't feel I should. ARC gained nothing from Mac except poison, IMO. ZERO. When you go to their website there are some great looking amps there that don't have meters that are uncomplicated beautiful devices. Perhaps you could make some suggestions to help ARC return to its roots. It is a fact that their sound has changed but is it for the better. I don't know. I hate that this has happened. A careful analysis must be done by the new owners as to how to proceed with new products. Best Charles I haven't seen an ARC amp in years. The ones I saw at Cumberland Audio in Nashville years ago were beautifully made, hand wired no circuit boards, tube amps, no meters or fluff/doodads that epitomized all that was good in the high end.
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII (2); McIntosh MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1); Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables; balanced IC (preamp to main amps); WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/MCD12000; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest Diamond USB cable; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for MR87 tuner Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes Last edited by Charles; 06-29-2023 at 11:21 AM. |
#13
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Charles, I have no knowledge relating to what McIntosh may have learned while they owned ARC but I will disagree that the new ARC should go back to their roots and make gear that looks like it was designed in the 60's or 70's.
When I have time I will have a discussion with my local dealer who carries the line but I am pretty sure he has mentioned that there was a nice increase in sales after ARC came out with there latest designs. You are not going to "maintain" a large base of owners who need to consider the expense and hassle of replacing the 610T's significant complement of tubes over time. Industrial design is very important these days and even the most storied tube manufacturers have upped their game in this area. |
#14
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#15
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Months ago I asked Mark who owns an Alexx if he ever observed his meters indicating overload or clipping. The Alexx will easily take over 140 watts. I received no answer. About a month ago, I was playing "In the midnight Hour" at 85% and my R 3500 shutdown. Just turned off quietly. I don't play at that volume anymore. Meters can be of benefit, if they are accurate and easily visible, but very few are helpful. I think ARC's meters leave a lot to be desired. I find the Foundation Series much more to my liking. But the bottom line is the gear needs to work and be functional. Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII (2); McIntosh MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1); Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables; balanced IC (preamp to main amps); WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/MCD12000; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest Diamond USB cable; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for MR87 tuner Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes Last edited by Charles; 06-30-2023 at 05:00 PM. |
#16
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Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII (2); McIntosh MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1); Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables; balanced IC (preamp to main amps); WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/MCD12000; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest Diamond USB cable; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for MR87 tuner Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes |
#17
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ARC’s problems began with the GS series which was poorly marketed as ARC could not define the GS place in the line up. Arguably the GS styling was updated, elegant, and reliable, IMHO better in all respects to the current Ref styling. Customers were arguing the sonic and esthetic merits of competing in house components. Not surprisingly, pricing close to Ref series without being defined as such ultimately orphaned the whole series. Perhaps a sign of competing philosophies in management. A coherent product development and marketing strategy is alway necessary, but life and death for a small company with limited capital depth.
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Wilson Alexia V; ARC Ref 6SE; ARC Ref Phono 3SE; Boulder 1160; Esoteric K1X; Artisan Fidelity Garrard 301 Statement; Ikeda 407; Koetsu Leopard, Coralstone; Shunyata Denali 6000T; Shunyata AC cables; Siltech Prince speaker cables; Siltech Princess interconnects, Avondale II phono. |
#18
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Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII (2); McIntosh MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1); Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables; balanced IC (preamp to main amps); WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/MCD12000; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest Diamond USB cable; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for MR87 tuner Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes |
#19
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No matter what spin anyone wants to put on these developments, to me it's clear ARC is a troubled brand with an uncertain future.
For myself only, when I looked long and hard at the GS series, I'm glad not to have invested in it.
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McIntosh MA8000; McIntosh MC1502; Canton Vento Reference 1 DC; E.A.T. E-Flat; Soundsmith Paua Mk II; Technics SL 1210 MK5; Audio Technica AT-150 MLX; Tascam BR-20; Teac X1000R; Pioneer RT-707; Oppo UDP 205; Denon DCD A-100; HP All-In-One Touchscreen Server; JRiver MC 28; Woo Audio WA6; Shure SRH 1840; SVS SB 1000; Jolida 502BRC; Jolida JD9; VPI 16.5 RCM; Wireworld Oasis 8 Speaker Cables; Audoquest Columbia 72 DBS IC's; Panamax PM-5400 (source components only) |
#20
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While I am not in direct communication with the leaders at ARC, a good friend of mine is a dealer and has been in close contact with ARC over years, then with Trent when he bought the company and recently spent time with the new owner.
This whole thing has nothing to do with product lines or specific designs. Trent saw a huge opportunity to spring ARC from the company holding them and MAC, and if I remember correctly Sonus Faber. He was able to scrape the money together to buy it, but just barely. Tube shortages and increase in interest rates made them unable to meet their debt obligation… which was only a bit over a $1M. This has nothing to do with product lines or it’s viability as a business. It is about how the company was purchased and cash flow. That is it. There were restrictions put on what to develop when they were with Mac. Not a good thing. These are gone now. So, the new owner, who is a business man and passionate about audio… and he appears to have deep pockets… cash flow should no longer be a problem. ARC should be able to get back to doing what they do best… create natural, detailed, and musical audio electronics.
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George Main: Aurender W20SE music streamer, ARC REF 9SE DAC / CD, Linn LP 12, Koetsu Rosewood SignCartrige, ARC REF 3 Phono Stage, ARC REF 6SE Preamp, ARC 160s amp, Sonus Faber Amati Traditional Speakers,Transparent Ultra IC & SC Library:Aurender N100, Ayre QB9 2020 DAC, Woo WA5-LE amp upgraded tubes, Focal Utopia HP, Sennheiser 800s HP, LCD HP. |
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