Problem with brand new black ARC Ref 6


I thought i would write telling you about my experience when i purchased my brand new black ARC Ref 6 preamp about a month ago. It was working fine for a few days and then when i went to press the tube hours on the remote to display on the preamp the unit would cut off, or go to a different auxiliary. It would not happen all the time but often enough to know something was not right. I contacted ARC personally about this and Evan from ARC said it could be the remote. He said to bring it to my ARC dealer that i had bought it from and try his remote from his Ref 6. Same results as before. I was very disappointed as this did not solve the problem. I called Evan again and told him it still was malfunctioning. He said he never ever heard of this problem before and asked me if i wanted a new preamp and said he was so sorry about that. Since it was being returned i asked him if i could get the natural silver instead of the black he said no problem . Within about a week or so my new ARC Ref came to my dealer and all is fine with this one. I just want to say that dealing with ARC they are awesome and second to none with dealing with a problem. They take care of their customers with the very best and professionalism one could ever ask for from a company. Could not be happier !!!! Also i am in NJ and my ARC dealer is Audio Connection in Verona... John is the owner and he is an awesome guy in the business.Knows his components inside and out... I have been dealing with them since 1990 when i first bought my Counterpoint SA 220 amp and SA 2000 preamp. He is and was always there for me with any questions or concerns or problems. Truly old school.  Thank you Evan from ARC and  John from Audio Connection !!!!!!!!!
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xtattooedtrackman
@theo .......... Wow thats something ......Expecially about the LS26 arrived dead with no sound. Then you mentioned that after they sent you the new LS26 you had problems with the mute circuit? And on your Ref 5 a power circuit board issue? It seems to amaze me about these problems expecially after seeing the ARC video on utube on the making of their components and the testing they do before getting sent out. But like you mentioned maybe we also pay more for quality high end gear and the price does include excellent service and like you said needs to be factored in...

Good to read - tattooedtrackman and theo

it is imperative to post all experiences when dealing with these companies and dealers/retailers. There is something to be said for Customer Service.


Happy Listening!

@jafant ......Yes i thought it was a good idea to start a thread and post what i experienced with dealer / retailer . To me there aint a fraction of dealers -brick and mortar stores like they used to be in the 80s- 90s like i remembered when i first got in to high end audio. I go back almost 30 yrs with the owner John from Audio Connection in Verona NJ. And the only thing that changed with us is all the grey in our hair. It was like seeing a old friend after 30 yrs.  
Great to hear. I have had several ARC pieces, but none were bought new, so I guess all the bugs were out before I got them. I even still have an E 2 crossover that I use almost everyday.

All the best.

JD
ARC makes some very nice sounding gear, I have owned about 5 or 6 of their units over the years. And they have very good customer service. 
But the stuff is not dependable, and the cost of ownership is high. Constant failures and expensive repairs, along with the hassles of shipping the stuff back to Minnesota. I gave up on it. PIA to own.