Just my opinion, but I feel that the tone of the complaints here are really unfair and unfounded. AR is a company just like any other. They consider themselves to be a "high end" audio company and therefore, they probably realized that the other equipment cannot compete price wise with like priced competition in the lower priced categories.
So, I believe that they made a business decision (which I don't agree with) to eliminate the lower priced equipment.
That's their choice. I don't agree with the decision and I'm sure that many within AR didn't agree with that decision. But, as you all know, you can voice your opinion to upper management, but after you do and management makes it decision, you have two choices. 1) move on with the knowledge that you expressed yourself or 2) move on to another company.
We will see if this decision isn't the start of the downfall of AR or if it is a sound business decision.
I don't think this was an internal AR decision but a parent company business decision.
Nothing wrong with the used equipment market. Apparently, AR like many other companies come out with new or upgraded equipment every four years or so. So the used market is pretty good. You can now find used REF3s, REF5s or REF5SEs, Ph6, etc. for good prices and they are still equal to or better than most equipment out there.
REF3s are a steal right now on the used market. The DAC8 is still one of the best DACs out there, despite that awful review from a top magazine a few years ago. I compared that DAC with many other top DACS and it was equal to or better than every one of them. So, I realized that some reviewers are really biased and may be in the pocket of other competitors.
Anyway, please tone down the AR and McIntosh bashing. Really good equipment that puts good hard working people to work.
enjoy
So, I believe that they made a business decision (which I don't agree with) to eliminate the lower priced equipment.
That's their choice. I don't agree with the decision and I'm sure that many within AR didn't agree with that decision. But, as you all know, you can voice your opinion to upper management, but after you do and management makes it decision, you have two choices. 1) move on with the knowledge that you expressed yourself or 2) move on to another company.
We will see if this decision isn't the start of the downfall of AR or if it is a sound business decision.
I don't think this was an internal AR decision but a parent company business decision.
Nothing wrong with the used equipment market. Apparently, AR like many other companies come out with new or upgraded equipment every four years or so. So the used market is pretty good. You can now find used REF3s, REF5s or REF5SEs, Ph6, etc. for good prices and they are still equal to or better than most equipment out there.
REF3s are a steal right now on the used market. The DAC8 is still one of the best DACs out there, despite that awful review from a top magazine a few years ago. I compared that DAC with many other top DACS and it was equal to or better than every one of them. So, I realized that some reviewers are really biased and may be in the pocket of other competitors.
Anyway, please tone down the AR and McIntosh bashing. Really good equipment that puts good hard working people to work.
enjoy