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Audio Research discontinuing lower lines components?

I have looked at several components in Audio Research's line and they are discontinuing the LS17-se, PH8, and PH6.  They discontinued the DAC 8.  I know there is a new Ref 6 to replace the Ref 5se and their is a new Ref Phono 3 to replace the Ref Phone 2se coming out.  I talked to my dealer and he stated that Audio Research seems to be making their components look more McIntosh like in the Galeo series. 

The dealer stated their isn't going to be anything that he has heard that will replace the other lines at this point and that AR will be starting at the LS-27, which is $7500 for preamps.  The Ref 75se is the beginning of the line for Amps, which I know, but man are they going the Mac route with prices, nothing to replace the DAC 8 and the other DAC in the line is $11,000, what's up with this, have you guys heard anything more. 

The starting point for AR equipment is getting pretty high and the only way a newer person without means will be able to afford it will be to buy use, which could send the used prices up if there isn't anything else in the line.  What do you guys think and what have you heard?
sid1

Showing 6 responses by czarivey

czarivey
5,740 posts
 
No biggie. They've also become less reliable, less helpful and certainly less useful when it comes to servicing discontinued units. 
Figure they will become same level brain-washers as other companies. They're not alone and there will be certainly more. 
EBM, are you ready for nu ARC REF?
czarivey
5,740 posts
 
cleeds
No bashing my friend. I call it get the bang strategy! 
Got around servicing SP-3(great preamp used to be affordable!) myself with no help of ARC. Vinyl engine did it all with schematics and circuit elements IDs. Chris from partsconnexion(Sonic Frontiers) was also very helpful.
If you send unit to ARC to repair -- they'll be happy and friendly, but if you're asking questions and parts they won't pick up phone. Same thing happened to VTL and especially Accuphase of US(worst s-holes on the planet!). I totally understand get the bang strategy in details: if you really want to bang someone ye gotta be very nice and polite. Listen to all these commercials on TeeVee and learn...
Sorry but no need for their 'friendly brainwash' -- savvy myself and ain't their 'female dog'. Serviced legendary PH1, PH3s -- great units(used to be affordable), and happy to say no need any ARC help at any time.

czarivey
5,740 posts
 
Hah Nordost at most is $50 to make but what a profit there!
czarivey
5,740 posts
 
Meat industry is just as crooked and corrupt as high-end home audio.
Unless you're going to the butcher and asking for real cut off the flesh, Prime ain't no prime. It's just like most of specks on home-audio equipment are cut-paste and not measured.

czarivey
5,740 posts
 
smer319, 
Very nice speech and very nicely said.
Going from their name, Audio Research, they are surely working on new products, ideas to improve current products and purge older designs in favor for newer and fresher looks that bring newer and younger customers.
Looks like it's still didn't cover dropping manufacturing affordable components such as PH3, PH3SE, PH1, D- solid state series...

czarivey
5,740 posts
 
Bo, 
The world of audio will becume MUCH easier if you'll bring back era of Pioneer SX980, Sansui A9090, ADC and other pioneers of high definition audio. 
Also needed to bring down the percentage of robbed and constantly depleting middle class for purpose of aggressive imperialistic endeavors of big corporations in the Middle East that apparently choose to strip the tax dollar to sponsor robberies and murders outside of their homeland. In addition to these government spending there's huge additional layer of internal law enforcement agencies so to "control" ones who gradually becomes poor, hungry, angry and hopeless. 

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