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Heads Up: ARC is introducing the new SP-20 in Fall

An excerpt from ARCDB web site:

"Tube stereo preamplifier.

"As a result of the ever-increasing demand for a full-function preamplifier with a level of performance substantially above that of the SP17, we are pleased to introduce the striking new SP20 vacuum-tube preamplifier. Influenced by some of our classic groundbreaking SP preamplifiers but with performance that is only achievable by our best LS- and PH-series designs, the SP20 offers inspirational performance combined with real value. ..."

MSRP is $9000 -- a veritable bargain. ;-(
bifwynne
pops
2,278 posts
 
08-28-13: Minorl
"But the real question should be, are you getting what you pay for? An object, equipment, car, house, art, etc. is worth exactly what a person is willing to pay for it."

Great point Minorl - there is a price point for everyone, that's why there are so many models in a line and so much innovation. Newer, bigger, heavier and lots of marketing doesn't always mean better, or better for me! The good news in our hobby is diminishing returns sets in fairly quick.
taters
1,149 posts
 
Minori, I know it's not worth 9k because the moment you buy it and open up the box it's worth 40 percent less. Is a Mercedes worth 40% less? Is a Rolex watch worth 40% less? In fact If you buy a Rolex used you could probably get what you paid for it. High-end audio is way overpriced when you buy new. If you buy it used it's a decent value.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Tater ... what I am about to say is a "chicken and egg" observation. As I said above, I usually buy pre-owned or refurbed gear for the reasons you just posted. Also, because I won't pay full retail -- it's too darn expensive. Not that 60+% of retail is cheap. But somebody is buying new or else folks like me wouldn't be in the secondary market.

I can only surmise the folks who buy new are either extremely well-heeled for financially irresponsible. Now here's a curiosity Q. I just picked up an ARC Ref 150 that's about 2 years old with only 1100 hours of time logged on it. Why would someone flip a Ref 150 in such a short period of time?? I've even seen cases where people are flipping expensive gear within a year, sometimes less.

In the case of my Ref 150, I know the story. I bought the Ref from an ARC dealer who sold the amp to his customer 2 years ago. The same customer traded the Ref 150 with the same dealer for new ARC Ref 250s. I guess there's pockets of major bucks out there that supporting a very expensive hobby.

I'm doing ok so far, thank G-d, but I'm not a card carrying member of the well-heeled club. It's taken me years of trading/exchanging gear to get where I'm holding. I've made some mistakes, but have been able to recoup most of money at small loss because of the way I buy.

But to your point -- is expensive gear like ARC products worth it? I think so. Some members posted above that reputable companies like ARC drop a lot of cash into R&D, build quality and QC into their gear. I believe that to be the case, especially since significant hours of skilled labor are also required for assembly. I also find that that comment credible when I open up a component to install the tubes and I see just incredible build quality and artfully selected colored wires.

Last point -- some people like boats, others expensive cars and so forth. For me, escaping into my sound room and listening to beautiful music takes me to a much more serene and peaceful place. Enough said.

Cheers and have a nice Labor Day wekend,

Bruce
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,702 posts
 
Someone's gotta buy this stuff first, right, else no used discounts?

See, there IS a unique and rightful place for rich audiophiles in this world after all, to buy fist and help out all us poorer folk. Kinda like an audiofile welfare system.....
minorl
1,018 posts
 
Taters: Thanks for the input, but there is really no way can you buy a Rolex for full retail and sell it immediately afterwards for the same price. Every store has large mark ups on price. some more so than others. Also, Rolex's aren't as collectible as some of the other "high end" watches. They are nice, but really aren't close to being the best. You are paying more for the name. The really question on watches is who made the caliber? However, many high end audio equipment manufactures establish the sales price for all their authorized dealers so that there isn't any competition between dealers. My favorite shop in San Diego, Stereo Design will not sell items via phone or internet new unless you first come into the store. So, most times unless the item is discontinued, you will not be able to negotiate a lower price from authorized dealers legally. Noticed I said "Legally". I have noticed that watch dealers have more leeway on prices. What I don't understand is why manufactures will sometimes not allow warranties to be passed on to another buyer for the used equipment if the equipment was purchased new from an authorized dealer buy the original purchaser. If it was purchased grey market, I can understand this logic. But, if person A, purchased it new from an authorized dealer and it is still under warranty and I buy it from person A, why won't the warranty transfer to me with the remaining time on the warranty? I can't figure this one out.

anyway, If you think Audio Research is priced high, check out Boulder. Wow!

enjoy
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