There are issues and horror stories with just about most manufacturers. People typically see and hear what they want to see/hear.
Equipment and parts fail. That is a fact of life. Ever owned a car? stuff breaks. period.
I've had issues with many manufacturers. The thing that concerns me is, if I don't want to repair it myself, can get it repaired? Some companies use parts that you can't find or replace anymore. That is disappointing. Try to find the FETS used in certain Classe amps. You can't.
However, there are authorized repair facilities (George Meyers AV) for example or the manufacturer. What I like about Audio Research and several other companies (Atmosphere,etc. ) is that the will service and repair basically every piece that they made to this day. Same for Martin Logan. You can still buy brand new panels for their speakers made to today's standards.
So sorry that you had issues with your 40th anniversary pre-amp. it can be repaired correctly and will perform great for some time.
Some people have issues with certain manufacturers and I don't have a problem with that. They may be justified. But, I've noticed here mostly that there are many that are just blindly hating Audio Research. One person's issue wasn't really with Audio Research but the dealer when you read through the hate mail.
I saw another person hating a lot on Atmosphere but it came down to that person's totally irresponsible notion that Ralph should just give up his schematics. So the person ranted for quite some time until we all realized what his issue really was. He didn't want to use the manufacturer or an authorized repair facility to repair the unit. no he wanted to do it himself (no problem with that), but couldn't get a schematic and was livid.
Fix the pre-amp. its a keeper. or, fix it and sell it and get the REF 10, which when I did an A/B comparison, I preferred the REF10. However, don't get me wrong, I'll take a 40th anniversary unit any time.
enjoy
Equipment and parts fail. That is a fact of life. Ever owned a car? stuff breaks. period.
I've had issues with many manufacturers. The thing that concerns me is, if I don't want to repair it myself, can get it repaired? Some companies use parts that you can't find or replace anymore. That is disappointing. Try to find the FETS used in certain Classe amps. You can't.
However, there are authorized repair facilities (George Meyers AV) for example or the manufacturer. What I like about Audio Research and several other companies (Atmosphere,etc. ) is that the will service and repair basically every piece that they made to this day. Same for Martin Logan. You can still buy brand new panels for their speakers made to today's standards.
So sorry that you had issues with your 40th anniversary pre-amp. it can be repaired correctly and will perform great for some time.
Some people have issues with certain manufacturers and I don't have a problem with that. They may be justified. But, I've noticed here mostly that there are many that are just blindly hating Audio Research. One person's issue wasn't really with Audio Research but the dealer when you read through the hate mail.
I saw another person hating a lot on Atmosphere but it came down to that person's totally irresponsible notion that Ralph should just give up his schematics. So the person ranted for quite some time until we all realized what his issue really was. He didn't want to use the manufacturer or an authorized repair facility to repair the unit. no he wanted to do it himself (no problem with that), but couldn't get a schematic and was livid.
Fix the pre-amp. its a keeper. or, fix it and sell it and get the REF 10, which when I did an A/B comparison, I preferred the REF10. However, don't get me wrong, I'll take a 40th anniversary unit any time.
enjoy