Heads-Up: ARC introducing new G Series

Phil ... well put. By the way, as you may know, another private equity group and some of the McIntosh management team partnered to take over Fine Sounds Group. That may herald another direction yet. As you said what I said, "time will tell."

.
http://www.audio-reference.de/?s=audio+research
.

Perhaps the new owners, LBO France private equity group, might consider taking a look at the European/UK dealer RRP on the Reference range (watch out for Low Flying Pigs). As of today's $/£ exchange rate, the UK RRP on an Ref10 equates to $47,014.59.

Even allowing for +30% Taxes, duties,etc. etc, on the US RRP an Ref10 really should be closer to £23K, as apposed to the current UK RRP at £28,900.

I believe the G series would come under the heading of audio jewelry, a segment opened by Dan D'agostino. The visual/mechanical design of the G series was designed by Italian designers. The circuits were designed at ARC. I'm sure this was a marketing decision. The products were designed for those who not only can afford it, but where the W.A.F. (wife acceptance factor) of the current line of products are visually unacceptable. Think interior designer. The G series is a compliment to the current ARC product line. That's all there is to it.

"audio jewelry"

That's a useful term I had not heard used in quite a while.

Some watches are highly functional and keep time quite accurately and meet peoples needs for that easily. Somse do this and are also nicer looking pieces of Jewelry.

Same true with audio gear and most popular technical gadgets these days. Even becoming more popular with home appliances in recent years, though its debatable if an expensive washing machine necessarily works better than the ones that are most popular.