Has anyone heard that ARC discontinued the Ref CD-9SE?

Jab, ... ARC could have fixed my CD-8 if I sprang for a replacement transport, which I recall they had in stock at the time.  However, the repair/replace cost was in excess of the value of the CD-8. 

I was able to pick up an almost new CD-9SE for a reasonable price, which made more sense than repairing a 12 year plus old CD player.  If I get 10+ years out of the CD-9SE, it will be worth the investment, especially since it has DAC capabilities which the CD-8 did not have.

That said, Jab you are right.  If the transport in my CD-9SE goes, I may be out of luck big time.  Hopefully, I'll have a good run with the CD-9SE.  But all mechanical devices are subject to wear over time, ... even the Phillips Pro 2 transport.           

OP,

The ARC CD9se is a spectacularly good DAC. I recently had my audio guy drop off a Berkeley Alpha 3 DAC for me to compare with my ARC CD9se. I was able to balance the loudness and switch between them. I had it for a couple weeks. The difference was microscopic... with the ARC sounding ever so slightly better (ARC ever so slightly warmer in the midrange and bass.... more listenable, the Berkeley a tiny bit more detailed). The Berkeley is a $22K DAC know to be one of the best currently on the market. Obviously I was comparing music streams. I have 2,000 CDs but can’t think of a reason to play them. They are more inconvenient and frequently of lower resolution than what I get through streaming. So even if I own the CD, I will stream it. .

For the price of one CD per month you get access to a nearly infinite ♾ amount of music through Qobuz or Tidal, much of it are higher resolution than red book. So, the time to switch has come. I dabbled for years and now that I own a good streamer there is no going back.

Jab, for some reason, $1500 comes to mind.  If it was $500, I would have kept the CD-8 and replaced the transport.

ghdprentice, ... I really should try the DAC side of my CD-9SE.  Your experience is pushing me.

Thanks

BTW, I traded some emails with ARC over the last day or so.  Fear not.  ARC will not abandon us.  They are working on sourcing backup transports.  Give ARC a little time.  If I learn anything, I'll pass it along.  But I trust that ARC will not let us down.  BIF

bifwynne

ARC re-placement transport(s) are in the $1000-1500 neighborhood.
The regular CD9 had a killer DAC (if this is your thing) as well.

I hope the company will stand behind Critical parts for these newer spinners?

Happy Listening!