Wnbode, although your OP refers to a specific amp and manufacturer, the OP title asks an even broader question. That being whether one should consider buying refurbished goods from any company. In my case, I've bought re-furbed HP computers that hold up longer than I expected. The death-knoll is when my son trashes the computer -- not when the thing blows up.
In the audio world, 2 of my ARC pieces have come directly from ARC. My PH-8 phono pre is a "B" stock refurb that was used as a demo at shops. My Ref 5 SE is an upgraded, essentially remanufactured, unit that was literally hand re-built by ARC.
I have zero qualms about picking up stuff like that from a company like ARC because of the quality of the gear and ARC's A+ reputation. Based on conversations with Lenard and Kal, I know that ARC will not let anything it worked on out of its shop unless it meets original spec and passed Bill Gehls' listening test. They simply don't want defective ARC gear out there. I recall that it is ARC policy that it will not repair specially modded units unless all the mods are taken out and ARC components reinstalled.
In the audio world, 2 of my ARC pieces have come directly from ARC. My PH-8 phono pre is a "B" stock refurb that was used as a demo at shops. My Ref 5 SE is an upgraded, essentially remanufactured, unit that was literally hand re-built by ARC.
I have zero qualms about picking up stuff like that from a company like ARC because of the quality of the gear and ARC's A+ reputation. Based on conversations with Lenard and Kal, I know that ARC will not let anything it worked on out of its shop unless it meets original spec and passed Bill Gehls' listening test. They simply don't want defective ARC gear out there. I recall that it is ARC policy that it will not repair specially modded units unless all the mods are taken out and ARC components reinstalled.