Ref 6 coming...

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

I bet that within 18 months (if not 1 year), we will see a new Reference amp with 250 or 300 wpc in the GS style. The Ref 250se will be phased out as will the Ref 750. After that, a new 2 piece ref preamp in GS style and 2 piece ref phono in GS style.
After the merger of styles, there will be no more confusion as to which the best product in each line is.

And I think a company that destroys a highly regarded product line must be run by monkeys.

The Reference line has been a hallmark of ARC for decades. Why throw all that brand recognition away.

It's like Porsche deciding to kill off the 911s because they have a 918.

[MPS]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

And I think a company that destroys a highly regarded product line must be run by monkeys.

The Reference line has been a hallmark of ARC for decades. Why throw all that brand recognition away.

It's like Porsche deciding to kill off the 911s because they have a 918.

Exactly

[Lars-Ola]

Besides Ref 6 replacing 5SE and Ref 3 Phono replacing 2SE Phono, I've seen on a couple of different dealer sites that ARC is discontinuing the LS17SE, LP1, PH6, PH8, DSPre, DS225, DS450 and DS450M. No mention of LS27. Any news of replacement products?

[taters]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

And I think a company that destroys a highly regarded product line must be run by monkeys.

The Reference line has been a hallmark of ARC for decades. Why throw all that brand recognition away.

It's like Porsche deciding to kill off the 911s because they have a 918.

Actually, I think they are now run by Italians.

[taters]

Originally Posted by MPS

Exactly

Are you saying they are not going to call them reference products? Or are you talking about the new look of their products?

[John49]

Originally Posted by taters

Actually, I think they are now run by Italians.

So, you better be careful or you sleep with the fishes...

[MPS]

Originally Posted by taters

Are you saying they are not going to call them reference products? Or are you talking about the new look of their products?

I mean that Reference line has clear "identity" which continues from one generation to next and so on. To break this continuity with so obviously different looks might put off some long time customers but of course if market research shows bigger potential to attract new customers with new looks then sure this is the way to proceed. I personally prefer the somewhat traditional looks which indicates respect to the history of whole Reference product line. Just my 2c.

[The Lost Bears]

I was told that the G series was aimed at the young affluent customer. It is all about living the audio lifestyle. Having a more stylish line made for younger customers maybe made sense. But changing the looks of the Ref series to match seems short sighted. Now you have 2 lines with similar looks not that different in price, that are also very close in sound quality. It seems a bit redundant.

Also notice that the VT100 was never replaced. There are no tube amps in the regular line anymore.

[taters]

Originally Posted by John49

So, you better be careful or you sleep with the fishes...

Thanks for looking out but I'm connected.

[jpgr4blu]

Hey guys:
My guess, and it's only that, will be that there will be a convergence of lines such that the most expensive and best of each GS model will be the Reference with others having the same new GS look. To pay back the $ due on the leveraged buyout, the extra advertising budget, the World of McIntosh NYC townhouse and others on the drawing board, ARC and all WOM brands will probably have to sell more gear and more expensive gear to a broader audience (including the Asian market). It will not lose me and many members of its tried and true base simply because the gear looks different as long as the product keeps getting better. But the cool new look (which is retro and modern at the same time) will, I believe, appeal to a larger audience.
Soon the young rich kid who wants his tubes as a living room showpiece, but also wants the best sounding model---can find it all in the best of the GS series which will be called the Ref.
Just a guess.