Why are People Dumping their Audio Research Gear and What Does it Say about them?

I am listening to an all ARC Reference system as I type this. It is the most incredible system I have ever heard (and I have heard dozens of much more expensive systems over the decades) and amazes me daily how magical and musical it is.

It took me nearly fifty years to be able to afford it and after listening to it for over three thousand hours still have a very hard time dragging myself away every single night.

In my retirement it is the most valued possession and happiest that I spent the thousands of hours and dollars it took to getting here.

Love Audio Research gear. This is one manufacturer that makes gear sound as good as it looks! As far as letting go, (i would prefer these words as opposed to dumping) and it is more likely out of curiosity to try something else. How many audiophiles put together a new system only to regret letting go of their previous gear. This happens, but not in every case.

In audio, it seems that a manufacturer gets one chance to do well, and that’s it.

Back in the 90s I had an Audio Research SP-9 preamp. It was not particularly good: details were obscured by the noise floor, and there was little depth to the soundstage. Its tonality was hard and neutral--certainly not warmish. Also, I could hear crosstalk among the inputs. I kept it for a couple of months, then traded it back in to the dealer for a much better product (not by ARC).

Audio Research may make better products today. But I’ll never go there again. Don’t know, don’t care.

Potential for a lot of sales 'midst our lot.....but, buyer beware, doth thou buy a block of poop....*L*

Don't have any grudge nor glee re ARC, but given the feedback over this 'event'...🤷‍♂️....

Place your bets... :)

I really doubt any number of people (consumers who own the gear) are "dumping" gear because there is something going on with the manufacturer. Normal people don't follow such things about the companies they have bought gear from and would never care. Sounds as stupid as my mom following news on KitchenAid every day because she bought a blender some years ago. Might be a form of insanity. Might want to seek medical assistance from a mental health professional :-)