Audio Research?

[-E-]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Emile...are you sure those were ARC and SF representatives or was it the salespeople of a local dealer that carried both those lines and they just happened to be showing that combination of equipment? I don't know about Sonus Faber but everything I have heard about the ARC people is that they are extremely down to earth and friendly and customer-focused. Anyone can call up at any time to go visit their factory/offices and if Dave Gordon (President) is around he will personally accompany the visitors on the tour, etc...But your experience is an important case study for any company in that every interaction has the potential of permanently alienating a customer from a brand/company if that interaction is not a positive one.

They were home-base reps, not dealer salespeople. Hence my supreme dissatisfaction.

It's an old school approach I tend to have, where relationships are key to doing business with someone - especially something this big-ticket.

On the exact opposite end of the spectrum, the Boulder folks (while I don't own any of their equipment - yet) were amazing, and as far as dealers go, Ivan/Legend are impossible to beat.

[cmalak]

Emille...I hear you. But in this case, I would not write off the companies because of a bad experience with some home-based dealers. It is very hard to guarantee a uniform customer experience through a distribution network, try as you may as a manufacturer. If they were company sales people that is a different story. Using your criteria I would wipe out every single high-end audio manufacturer from my list based on my experiences with dealers of various manufacturers in NYC Be that as it may, I fully understand where you are coming from. Especially when we are talking about price points at this level, you want nothing but the best customer service. I am sure had there been a room staffed by ARC and/or Sonus Faber sales people (as opposed to home-based distributors who handle any of a number of brands), your experience would have been drastically different. You are right to point out, however, Ivan's exemplary level of customer service as he is a "home-based" rep (with a warehouse larger than many of the largest bricks and mortar audio shops ). My sense is Ivan is more the exception rather than the rule and that is why he is so successful at what he does.

[PHC1]

The CD8 uses a 6550C tube in the power supply for big and bold dynamics and a Philips PRO2R transport handles the shiny disc spinning duty.

A good read about the CD8 here. The Audio Beat - Audio Research Reference CD8 CD Player

[JT3]

I have been considering the new class D integrated they recently introduced, it had a nice review too.

The latest models do look sharp.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by JT3

I have been considering the new class D integrated they recently introduced, it had a nice review too.

The latest models do look sharp.

For your Ushers? I think it will be a good pairing, it certainly can drive your Ushers that are not very sensitive but don't present too tough of an impedance swing either.

[salmtpa]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Perhaps an ARC forum...

[wpines]

Don't underestimate/overlook Audio Research solid state.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by wpines

Don't underestimate/overlook Audio Research solid state.

I've owned 2 ARC solid state amps before. Have not had a chance to audition any of the more recent solid state amps from them yet.

[TommyC]

Just wondering, do you not like McIntosh's tube system?

MCD1100 + C1000 + MC2301 should sound plenty good.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by PHC1

The CD8 uses a 6550C tube in the power supply for big and bold dynamics and a Philips PRO2R transport handles the shiny disc spinning duty.

A good read about the CD8 here. The Audio Beat - Audio Research Reference CD8 CD Player

Serge...here are two places to quickly go to and get all the ARC reviews from both sides of the pond:

Audio Research Reviews
Products List (this is a UK dealer's site but they have very extensive links on each of the products in the brands they carry. So just click on a specific product - Ref 110 - for example and it will take you to a page that has photos, description, links to reviews, brochures and manuals). They have this for all the products they carry including ARC, Dartzeel, Jadis, Krell, Magico, Sonus Faber, Wilson, etc...