Audio Research Financial Troubles

mulveling

I've heard out-of-warranty repairs currently have a long queue (~ 6 months). But in-warranty repairs are another ball of wax. Upgrades (e.g. 6 to 6SE) are also processing very efficiently, much more so than before. It's absolutely sensible for the business to prioritize these over out-of-warranty service, while not cutting off the latter. Their product history goes back decades!

I agree that makes perfect sense. Consider also that ARC will not only service but can often upgrade most every product it has ever made. That's quite a feat.

Servicing a tube amplifier is a nightmare. Just try to get a repair done in Manhattan. Of all places where you should be able to do anything. One tube repair center may be going out of business soon. Not because of business issues but because no one wants to do the work on tubes anymore and therefore no one is capable of doing the work. The experienced people are drifting away. Manufacturers are delegating all this to the warranty repair centers which is really stupid.

So you'd best choose tube equipment from a company that stands behind their products.  Conrad-Johnson and VAC here in Sarasota come to mind.

I think the arc financial problems have hurt the brand, wrongly so, but in any case most used stuff is from their ‘golden age’, and the quality is and was superb. Lots used because lots sold. Take the opportunity to get a better deal, I have. Just toured their factory—still pursuing the best sound from the pinnacle of design and build quality. Great people who care about their customers, and I wish them the best. William Zane Johnson did get rich, btw.

Most recent post on FB was quite positive and encouraging. The introduction of the 320M seems near completion while acknowledging long development beyond norm. In the wake of reorganization with new owners new equipment goes a long way toward establishing confidence in the company’s momentum going forward. I believe the 320M will be very good for the entire ARC product line sales.