ARC Support

No disrespect for what sounds like a very real problem, but I personally have used ARC products for years with incredible results. I've talked to Leonard several times and was treated very well. Actually, in my view, perhaps we should be proud of a US company that has in many ways managed to lead this 'finicky industry' for over 30 years!

I've delt with Mr. Leonard several times over the past decade and have always received EXCELLENT advice and service! He is a true gentelman. The company as a whole is rather tight assed and (except for their ravishing sounding equipment) backward. Isn't it great that there are so many alternatives here in the "Golden Age" of audio?
I've been in this sport over 30 years and am just awe struck
at the current level of (admittedly overpriced) achievement.
If you don't like 'em, go next door to the other guy -It's the only language they understand...

This isn't that uncommon. Some manufacturers are very protective of their dealers. This is a good thing if you're a dealer obviously. I'm sure that there are service centers that can do this. There's one in Brooklyn, and another in San Fran that I know about.

PS: Turnaround on ARC repairs in my experience and that of everyone I know (large Audio Research community where I live) has never been more than 3 weeks and on average about 2-6 business days (not including shipping time). When you have only been around making products for less time than it takes a child to finish the 6th grade (BAT included) you simply do not have as much out there to repair or if your equipment is as old as Audio Research's inception (1970) your equipment is not repairable due to lack of parts support (ARC is like a White Knight in customer support compared to the large percentage Home Theatre throw away electronic products that are not worth 20 percent of their original value 6-8 years from date of manufacture)or the company has gone belly up or been bought up. Included in this list are companies that made excellent performing products like Threshold, Coda, Kinergenics etc etc etc. ARC stands for lasting value in the face of landfill "home theatre" foder. Another case in point, my Rotel RHT-10's (their best tuner they made and one of the best period) remote, cosmetic pieces (like the case and face plate) are not available. So to those that spent $1500 on a NEW Rotel RHT-10 Tuner in 1993-1995 (dates of manufacture) give Rotel a call and ask about these parts. They will likely phrase it like they told me "we don't stock remotes or face plates and cases for that "old" tuner". That is Pride (?) or in Home Theatre vernacular "Virtual Pride". An upgrade at ARC most of time lets you keep you upgrade your existing equipment where upgrades at many other companies means a new model. There is always an upgrade cost. It, in part, depends how much "consumption of the world's (our) resources" you like to be (upgrade the internal parts) or throw aside heavy exploitative mineralogic costs of those thick faceplates and cases. However, toward environmental responsible purchases I will have to give the praise to Bel Canto for not making "ego" centric thick faceplates and their new Evo Technology being nearly 100% efficient (200 watts to speakers and ~200 watts from the wall). Compare that to Class A designs that are about 10% efficient (200 watts to speakers and ~1800 watts from the wall). Lets just hope that Bel Canto, if they are around in 30 years, will support their products like Audio Research. That will be a real winner for not just the listener but the entire planet.

I am also happy with ARC service. They have always been good with dispensing schematics, which in turn has allowed me to ask the right technical questions (which have always been imediately answered). The cost they charge is not always in line, but they always have the part you will need. They do not always have "Lexus Dealer" charm, but if you are a "resistor head" and know what you need, they usually come through pretty well. I have had much worse luck from other vendors.... Plus, there equipment sounds pretty good out of the box and is a fabulous platform to tweek if you have a soldering iron, engineering experience, and access to higher grade component parts than ARC is willing to use. You have to be proactive and utilize them for what they are good at... Don't want to pay $847 for a tube set, plenty of others sell them for 1/2 or less with the same quality and matching. Need an ARC schematic -- Leonard's your man. Need an alignment procedure, Chris is your man. Can't legally obtain proprietary procedures elsewhere... Worried about not having the latest -- find a source of information -- ARC is not going to tell you.... Good Audio Dealers will warn you of upcoming upgrades and equipment discontiuations... There are benefits to staying 1 generation behind... Cutting edge and the newest stuff is cool, but the cost and heart ache just isn't worth it to me...