$510.00 for an Aluminum cover for the ARC Ref. 10?

Copy it, start making and sell for half price.

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ARC figures that if you could afford a $30k preamp, to ding you $500 for a lid, you probably wouldn't notice.
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Its true.

Expensive stuff usually means expensive parts and support, just like with cars.

Same laws of physics apply to all luxury items.

They know we can't do without and everything must be perfect. There is no escape.

Tell them you can't afford it and your willing to sell the thing and take an even bigger loss just on principle.

Maybe they'll cut a deal to help keep a customer happy.

I own an ARC pre-amp and like it and ARC a lot. I've bought replacement tubes from ARC. They were not cheap (almost as much as your lid) but of good quality and have lasted pretty long (jinx...not I hope). So I was happy.

First I believe the Ref 10 has 2 tops not 1.

The Tops should be covered by warranty if the unit is less than 3 years old.

If it is over 3 years old then call the ARC service department and complain. It is a design flaw and ARC knows it. They will likely give you a discount on the metal tops.

Like Mitcht said" spend 30k on a pre-amp and they ding you 500.00 for a cover" spend 10 times that on a Ferrari and pay 3500.00 for a carbon fiber coffee cup. The bottom line is they are laughing all the way to the bank.