I find this so strange

Lowrider,

Why not just leave it like it was. When you own several company's and change the name to one of the brands that you carry it makes the other brands you have seem less significant. I think this is a terrible marketing move.

Both the ARC G series and the new Ref 6 look like McIntosh concept pieces from the 1960s. ARC use to have a classic timeless look. Now they have a trendy retro McIntosh look.

Jea...just saw your post. Still don't understand the high end profile with the new mass market name.
11-15-15: Lowrider57

Like I said in my previous post, new owners. And as I said I think Charlie Randall had a lot to do with the name of the new parent company. I personally like the fact the parent company is based in the US.

This is the nature of SO many companies in this business. It's my biggest complaint. I follow a company and their products only to see them bought out or the owner dies and the company goes down hill. So sad.
11-15-15: Jnovak

In this case with the new owners the companies will be better off, imo.

>>>>>>>>>>

Grange and Randall Lead Management Buyout of Fine Sounds Group in Partnership with LBO France and Yarpa
.

Sounds like a good move to me. The company seems to be in the hands of audio people, not investors. The McIntosh brand has the highest public profile in their stable, so why not try to leverage it. I hope they succeed.

@ Taters and Jea48...
I was making a joke, "World of McIntosh" sounds so cheap, so common. Kind of like "Gary's Auto World," a large car dealership.

To Jea48...
As you say, it makes sense that Charlie Randall was involved with the name change. IMO, a bad name and not a good marketing strategy for their other brands, falling to a second tier under their umbrella.
ARC is not a familiar name to the general public like McIntosh, but it is one of the world's elite manufacturers of HiFi gear.

OTOH, great news that they will be based here. I also like the opening of a B&M store in NYC. It has the SoHo address, but away from the fashionistas on a very cool street with cafes and bistros.

There are going to be a lot of shocked visitors when they see a $30K amplifier.
http://www.twice.com/news/audio/world-mcintosh-opens-first-experience-center/59357