I understand and respect the issues and feelings raised here. I do feel that there is way too much AR bashing going on here. Unless you work in AR's Accounting department, you have no idea what it costs to research, design and manufacturer equipment. Let alone stock older parts for repairs.
One can speculate all they want, but, that is all it is, speculation.
I believe that AR's parent company simply (probably wasn't simple) decided to discontinue the lower level (lower level, that is funny) equipment because the market simply could not support the continued manufacturing and upkeep of those components. They most definitely were not going to eliminate the upper end equipment.
Auto manufacturers do this all the time. They eliminate cars that simply aren't selling like they expected them to do.
I firmly believe that if AR was making the kind of money they expected on the lower level equipment, they would not have eliminated them.
But, the real way to voice one's concerns is to write AR letters complaining about this. That is the only way they will pay attention to your complaints.
The comparison between the most expensive back then and the most expensive now is not scientifically accurate at all. How much was a 1965 Ferrari vs a 2016 Ferrari? Not trying to start or continue an argument, but, company's will charge whatever they can charge and get away with. Some have business plans and goals, based on R&D costs, parts maintenance expenses, manufacturing equipment expenses (this is huge), company overheads, health care expenses for employees, taxes, expected number of pieces to be constructed, prototype development(really expensive and of which the costs must be recovered), etc. All of this and more is factored into the price of equipment, cars, watches, etc.
Many Engineers have found this out the hard way. They didn't have a solid business plan, had no knowledge of business, only engineering and lost their shirts.
I don't fault AR for doing this. It just means that I won't be able to afford their equipment unless I win the lottery or wait until they show up on the used market at a much lower price.
The good thing is that AR still maintains and repairs all of their equipment, old and new. That is really saying something.
Try to get an older Theta DAC repaired by Theta, they will tell you with a straight face that they won't do it. Not Theta bashing, but I have learned the hard way that certain companies won't or can't support their products later on. AR isn't one of them.
I would bet you a lunch that Atmosphere will repair each and every unit they have built from day one. Companies that do that are rare.
enjoy