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Audio Research Reference 320M is being debuted in Meunchen

My ARC dealer www.audioexcellence.us told me last night at dinner that Audio Research was finally going to be debuting the long awaited Reference 320M at the Munich High End audio show in May. He told me the product is finished and he said on Wednesday ARC authorized him to begin taking preorders at the current price- which he advised will rise by "a lot" in March. Apparently ARC is raising prices across the board by a big% after not doing so for the last few years.

The 320 is powered by KT 170s which I’ve never seen in real life before. Apparently they are 7" tall. He told me ARC’s "price goal" was to have it come in just under 79K for the pair which is a little less than their Reference 750s.

I have been saving my nickels and dimes toward upgrading my amp and this is really almost *ahem* justifiable cough cough to my wife who surprisingly didn’t veto my plan. I guess the stock market’s performance has her feeling warm and fuzzy. I argued that 2 Burmester 909s in monoblock mode was almost double the Ref 320 and the Burmester sounded like a blizzard in an igloo and looked like a metal ice cube.

I have to admit I’m a huge fan of ARC and have been since 1977 when I first heard a M160 powering a set of Tympanies- so I’m biased. Their rocky road problems after Bill Johnson died/COVID/New ownership have been smoothed out and it sounds like they are going to remain as the bespoke hand made icons they have been for decades.

One bummer is that I don’t have my number in the ARC cue- but my dealer buddy told me my 10K is fully refundable if they fail to deliver. He told me he was worried about his risk if something blew up so he has placed the deposit monies in a dedicated escrow account. I’ve trusted him for 17 years so I’m comfy. I’m anxious to see this 320 hit the market!

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fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
959 posts
 

Part of me thinks "but why build a monster tube amp?" but having owned three ARC amps of various power ratings there is something about ARC's circuit designs where more power sounds better regardless of the room and speaker. 

But then, the more power tubes you have the higher the cost of use, the more heat generated in your room, and the more likelihood of a power tube failing or not being within bias range. 

All in all, unless you have a large room and demanding speakers, I would opt out but that is just me. I saw a CyberTruck for the first time today. Why would any sane person buy one? To be noticed imho. 

I am a former bike racer and continue to ride and love bicycles now that I am 64. You can go with tubes (inner tubes), tubulars, and tubeless (which uses sealant). All have advantages and disadvantages. You can go with super light custom steel, super light stock carbon, or custom/stock titanium, All have advantages and disadvantages. And so it with all in audio, including power amps. 

But then we come back to my first sentence. I stand by it. Powerful ARC amps are special. 

djcxxx
105 posts
 

I think the major takeaway is that ARC has hired new design talent that can bring the 330M to market. ARC had financial problems, but even with capital you need skilled people to design new gear and repair old gear. Dave Gordon has said new products are in the pipeline. I don't think the 90K 330M is intended to be ARC"S ticket back to health.

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yesiam_a_pirate OP
198 posts
 

I'm not privy to the innerworkings at ARC but I know a few guys that work there and 1 who used to work there. Take this as both hear-say and my own opinion which is subjective at best. 

I believe ARC wants the 330M to be the springboard to a much higher end line-up than they have had in the past. IMO they must introduce new products to regain momentum. None of that is secret knowledge. My read is this: There are new additions to the design team, new and ample cash infused, and a loyal customer base that will anxiously buy the new releases. I'm comforted that they didn't rush the 330M to market. They had every reason to do so but made sure it was perfect before it's release. That shows patience and integrity. 

On a personal note I have my place in line and can't wait to get a pair of  330Ms in my listening room!

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