Even more amusing is that both Ref 3 and VAC Ren II are receiving rolling updates simultaneously.
ARC Ref 3 on bypass caps and a single power supply tube, while VAC Ren II is getting a new volume control.
Nneither products are changing versions because their manufacturers deem correctly that such minor engineering changes (EC) do not warrant a formal version number change.
In the software industry we call this a 'build, and we do not necessarily change product version every time we deliver a new build to a customer.
It actually bespeaks the fair mindedness of these companies, that feel so loyal to their current customer base to inform them that updates are available, and are more than delighted to apply these to earlier units for very nominal charges.
On the other hand, it is also more than fair for some Audiophiles to prefer dealing with other manufacturers who are said never to apply an EC to an existing model if their very lives depended on it, as essentially Arturo at Axiss informed me in so many words about Accuphase products, which are apparently kept in their original V1 state until they are withdrawn, several years after their introduction.
Isn't freedom of choice marvellous?
Of course, you may think that some other companies never change version, just because they are not telling you. . . yet looking under the hood apparently you may be sometimes surprised.
I'll stick to ARC, VAC, JRDG and the likes. Yet, thank you for sharing your valid concern.
ARC Ref 3 on bypass caps and a single power supply tube, while VAC Ren II is getting a new volume control.
Nneither products are changing versions because their manufacturers deem correctly that such minor engineering changes (EC) do not warrant a formal version number change.
In the software industry we call this a 'build, and we do not necessarily change product version every time we deliver a new build to a customer.
It actually bespeaks the fair mindedness of these companies, that feel so loyal to their current customer base to inform them that updates are available, and are more than delighted to apply these to earlier units for very nominal charges.
On the other hand, it is also more than fair for some Audiophiles to prefer dealing with other manufacturers who are said never to apply an EC to an existing model if their very lives depended on it, as essentially Arturo at Axiss informed me in so many words about Accuphase products, which are apparently kept in their original V1 state until they are withdrawn, several years after their introduction.
Isn't freedom of choice marvellous?
Of course, you may think that some other companies never change version, just because they are not telling you. . . yet looking under the hood apparently you may be sometimes surprised.
I'll stick to ARC, VAC, JRDG and the likes. Yet, thank you for sharing your valid concern.