Problem with brand new black ARC Ref 6


I thought i would write telling you about my experience when i purchased my brand new black ARC Ref 6 preamp about a month ago. It was working fine for a few days and then when i went to press the tube hours on the remote to display on the preamp the unit would cut off, or go to a different auxiliary. It would not happen all the time but often enough to know something was not right. I contacted ARC personally about this and Evan from ARC said it could be the remote. He said to bring it to my ARC dealer that i had bought it from and try his remote from his Ref 6. Same results as before. I was very disappointed as this did not solve the problem. I called Evan again and told him it still was malfunctioning. He said he never ever heard of this problem before and asked me if i wanted a new preamp and said he was so sorry about that. Since it was being returned i asked him if i could get the natural silver instead of the black he said no problem . Within about a week or so my new ARC Ref came to my dealer and all is fine with this one. I just want to say that dealing with ARC they are awesome and second to none with dealing with a problem. They take care of their customers with the very best and professionalism one could ever ask for from a company. Could not be happier !!!! Also i am in NJ and my ARC dealer is Audio Connection in Verona... John is the owner and he is an awesome guy in the business.Knows his components inside and out... I have been dealing with them since 1990 when i first bought my Counterpoint SA 220 amp and SA 2000 preamp. He is and was always there for me with any questions or concerns or problems. Truly old school.  Thank you Evan from ARC and  John from Audio Connection !!!!!!!!!
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xtattooedtrackman
Tattooed, I agree it seemed a bit much for one guy to have these issues on the only components I have owned from one manufacturer. It was frustrating at first because I have been a McIntosh guy for years and switching was hard. The new "dead" unit was almost enough to make me turn away. But I can honestly express that I am glad I stayed the course.
And dealing with ARC has been positive enough that I can appreciate that occasionally one get thru Quality Control although 3 for one customer seems excessive, I have to maybe examine my karma. In all the years of quite a few McIntosh units I think the only one I had issue with was bought used and that was the only used one I had bought. But they stepped up and repaired it at no cost. Funny thing was when I told them I bought it used, the Mc Rep asked if the unit was where I could look at it, I replied yes. He said to look closely at the front plate and see if if it said McIntosh, I said yes, he said send it to me here is your RA. 
@theo ......... Yes 3 does seem excessive. I just hope that i will have no new problems with my Ref 6.  And if God forbid i do at least i bought it brand new and have a 3 yr warranty. And at least i know i will be taken care of with no problem. My only other components that are worth mentioning was my Counterpoint SA 220 amp that i bought brand new in 1990 and which that had the mosfet problems which my left channel went out and could not be repaired. And as we all know what happened with Counterpoint going under. Also own Krell FPB 600 amp i bought used and have it for years now and is still running strong. Also had Mark Levinson preamps used and also never had a problem with them. As far as ARC goes they are incredible sounding gear and as long as their customer service stands by you i will never give up on them. That really means alot to me. 
Just picked up a dealer demo Ref 6 with 610 hours on it and some original ARC warranty remaining.  Still getting used to the remote.  I hope my wife never throws the metal remote at me.  Darn thing is heavy.

So far I think I am ok with the unit. I have owned many ARC units over the years and have never had a problem, except for blown biasing resisters when I ran 6550 power tubes that arced in my amps (VS 115 and old Ref 150).  My Ref 150SE uses KT 150 tubes which are very robust and so far, no problems with arcing.  

Must say that I am surprised to even see a thread like this.  ARC is OCD about QC.  It is surprising indeed to read that any modern units have failed.   I guess sh*t just happens.

BIF 

P.S. - if I read the Ref 6 manual correctly, there is a setting that provides for unit pass-through volume.  If that is so, fellow Ref 6 owners should be careful to never hit that setting.  You'll likely blow your amp and speakers. 
@bifwynne .......Unit pass through volume is only for when a secondary control device is integrated into the system such as a surround processor . Hitting that setting would do nothing unless there is a secondary control device hooked up. 
@bifwynne ......... Warranty states in owners manual that it is limited to the original purchaser . And a photo copy of the dated purchase receipt. I do not think if you buy a unit second hand they will honor the limited warranty.