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What is up with Audio Research during the pandemic?

I ordered a set of tubes for my ARC Ref 3 line stage on May 4, 2020. So far, no tubes, no tracking number, and no contact initiated by ARC. I did get an email response last week from them saying that they were "... working on getting caught up in the shipping department and have not yet shipped your tubes." This post is not to hassle ARC in the midst of a crisis. My hope is that all there are safe and well. Many "non-essential" businesses are struggling and frankly, I want to do all I can to support them. Music has been a wonderful source of comfort and enjoyment for me, now more than ever. I can wait, but I would feel better if I knew that the ARC folks were doing OK.  
yabe1951
martyk320's avatar
martyk320
8 posts
 
 Audio Research deemed not an essential business was closed down for a significant amount of time. I believe they're open again. I believe they had people working from their homes . Shipping I'm sure suffered. I'm sure they have a shipping backlog  . I'm surprised you didn't get a response. If it was me I'd try again they're pretty good with customer service .
mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
949 posts
 
ARC is a wonderful company, no doubt.  If you are in need of tubes in order to make your gear operate, and ARC is unable to ship at this time, there are other options to fulfill your needs.  As another suggested in this thread about securing tubes from a reliable source, I'll add that Upscale Audio in Glendora, California, is an outstanding source for tubes.  They  test and sort for lowest noise, too.  They are open for business and have an excellent turnaround time for shipping.  Hope this helps.
Enjoy the music.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Yep I am a big fan of Ram tubes and Rogers meticulous computer grading :-) just took delivery of a slug of 6922. 6D and EL-34

i don’t believe they offer a 6H30 for the more recent ARC gear which is a bummer

Perhaps Tony At Music Reference will chime in ..


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
@clio09do you offer 6H30 ???
sancho22
106 posts
 
A lot of very good points made already.
One more set of experiences to share just as an FYI.

Shipping is a bit all over the map - I am in NJ.
I had a TT from the UK arrive in less than 48 hours.
I have a 60Hz pulley traveling from the uK over a month - still not here.
I bought a plinth from Hungary - I got it in less than a week.
Ordered a TT weight from Hungary - took a month.
Ordered cables from Morrow Audio - great service, several email updates and cables are already shipped.
Got another package from CA in 3 days.
Seems to be that bigger / more expensive packages get to me from each shipper (FedEx, UPS and even USPS) quick. Smaller packages / non priority (not surprisingly) takes a long time.

Enjoythe music and support our small businesses who keep us happy!

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