HiFi products in general are a luxury, and ARC is more of a luxury brand now than ever before, even though their MN headquarters and plant reside in a light-industry business park of single story buildings with modest office fronts. I have been to their parts desk/freight door and have seen the dozens of their white boxes with blue lettering waiting to go out. Their prices are not high due to inflation--there hasn't been any in years--but to the ever-shrinking middle class that is surviving not on pay raises, but on borrowing. Housing, food and clothing prices have gone up and up, with salaries and wages staying flat--for decades. There is a much smaller segment of America that can go out and buy a luxury item, so WOM/ARC is going to target an upper-income, international market. There's a lot of money out there, but in the hands of fewer people. This should not be a surprise, unless you get your news from the channel that will accuse you of having class envy.
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?
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?