Audio Research Rant

[Robert_Anderson]

I have been buying exotic gear since I was 12 years old, and over the years, one brand has kept me coming back and set the bar; Audio Research. I love their gear, and currently own some. I think it’s great the Reference 10 is coming out, but I am disappointed with their seemingly aggressive marketing. The Reference 1 and 2 preamps allowed for upgrades. When I buy a product of “Reference” caliber, I don’t think it’s too much to expect to own it for up to say, five years, and have available upgrades to stay on the cutting edge. I don’t think it is too much to ask for engineering architecture with upgrades in mind. Surely, a company of ARC’s caliber can engineer such products without rendering the older ones out-dated after 18 to 24 months. Just my two cents about a company I love………………

[Myles B. Astor]

I think that complaint has been levelled against ARC since their beginning.

You can look at the situation though in several ways. Many companies business model, take Linn for instance, is to allow for retrofittable updates to their basic model. Being able to update your gear tends to build customer loyalty and from a business model, ongoing business. Good and bad though as sometimes it seems like updates are really bandaids and the product is in need of a major overhaul.

Others such as ARC obviously seem to be constantly tinkering with the circuit and as they find something better, release it as a new update. OTOH, would you rather wait three or five years for all the updates to be released as a single unit?

As far as new products, I think one needs to look at the market and where the unit fits in. I think companies more and more are trying to get away from just building uber priced gear and trying to make (remember these are essentially handbuilt products) products that deliver more of a bang for the buck--and have several in house now

[Robert_Anderson]

Good point, Myles. I suppose it doesn't matter - I am going to keep coming back as long as my wallet will handle the burden............

[Myles B. Astor]

And of course since ARC always uses the same faceplate, the wife doesn't realize you bought another piece of audio gear (Yeah like they don't notice that money missing from the bank account!)

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

And of course since ARC always uses the same faceplate, the wife doesn't realize you bought another piece of audio gear (Yeah like they don't notice that money missing from the bank account!)

Since when are they allowed to access the bank account

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by joeinid

Since when are they allowed to access the bank account

It's not required?

[Myles B. Astor]

Or recommended

[jdandy]

No wife, no worries!

[vintage_tube]

Understand your frustration and dedication with a well known company, etc.

Question -- now that ARC is under the Fine Sounds Spa ownership, have you ever entertained the thought of speaking to Fs or in the past with ARC to make your disappointment(s) known, especially from someone with the loyality you portrey?

Best

Bob

[djcxxx]

I look at this very differently. If the particular component I have purchased is to my liking and serves me reliably then those that inevitably supercede it are irrelevant until such time that I have either become dissatisfied (for whatever reason) or I believe that the technology has significantly improved in the interim to justify a new purchase. I typically own my ARC gear for 8-10years on average. The flip side of this is that I have not discerned that immediate sucessors in a given series represent the monumental improvements that are often claimed by ARC, the audio press, and owners. I owned an SP6 from 1977 to 1998. I replaced it with an LS16 which was frankly a disappointment, and then a Ref3 which I believe represents one of ARCs best fundamental circuit designs which the current Ref series has built upon.