Audio Research Contact.

Try Chris, service tech manager. He generally doesn't take customer inquiries, but under the circumstances he might tell you what's up with Cal.

John, I'm supposed to be #4 on the list. Still no word when the SE upgrade will happen.

Kenny, if your post was directed to me, be assured, I'm not losing any sleep over the delay. And you don't have to convince me about how great ARC is. I'm a major booster, as most folks who follow my posts already know.

Enjoy the holidays!

Gary (Hifigeek), responding to your 12/26 post above. I was able to get through to Chris on Thursday and asked him what was going on with Kal and the telephone situation. Chris was very apologetic, but explained it was a management issue -- unrelated to Kal or him. As you probably know, ARC was purchased by a foreign investor a little while back and since that time, new management has reorganzied how the combined ARC/Wadia team interfaces with the public.

In short, Kal and Chris are working double duty handling BOTH ARC and Wadia matters. I sent Kal a very nice note suggesting that he and the other legacy ARC guys pass a message to management from the field (the us'es) that we miss the attention and service that ARC was known for. Of course, I let Kal know that he still has many loyal fans (like me), but we would sure appreciate a return to the old ARC.

In the meantime, Kal said he would take part and tube order via e mail, and also try to answer service related questions that way too. Payments are now handled by a secure web based set-up. I just bought 2 6550 WE tubes for my Ref CD-8 and PH-8 power supplies. It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

Hopefully, new management will get with the program and let Kal do what he always did so well -- talk live with ARC's loyal customers.

Thanks for the offer Gary (Hifigeek). I'm quite flattered. I promise NOT to bug you with questions.

I sure hope the Italian company doesn't burn out our ARC friends. It's hard to overstate the importance of the personal touch in our hobby -- and folks like Leonard and Kal don't come around that often. I can't even imagine how poor Chris is managing. Maybe if enough customers and ARC tech guys like you let the new bosses know how the "new" approach is being received in the field, we may get some positive change -- or better still, "unchange."