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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 3 responses by larryi

larryi
4,222 posts
 
In the US, interest in audio is waning and this would include both the high end and lower-priced markets.  This is NOT the case in Asia where new money is being made.  In particular, the ultra high-end market is doing quite well in Asia.

Supposedly, Audio Note (uk) sells more of their top end stuff in Vietnam than they do in the US.  I suspect that the Asian consumer is quite different from US buyers. There, a purchase is treated more like an investment--the buyer intends on holding on to the product for a very long time and high quality is important. The item will NOT be replaced in a few years. Brands, like Audio Note, are favored because the manufacturer DOES not come out with new upgraded versions after a short time period which means that the purchase holds its value.  

I don't think that Audio Research fits this model well; they fairly frequently upgrade their gear.
larryi
4,222 posts
 
I agree that China is a leader in producing high quality products.  I have seen many examples of well-made Chinese audio gear.  They also make a lot of really cheaply-made gear, but, unlike the Mac stuff, it sells for a really low price.  In other words, with cheap Chinese gear, one gets a lot of value FOR THE MONEY, something that is NOT the case when one pays BIG bucks for shoddy gear.
larryi
4,222 posts
 
I don't know if WoM, or perhaps some predecessor, is responsible for hollowing out the McIntosh brand, but, I hope the same fate does not await the other brands under their roof.  Mac now employs extremely shoddy manufacturing processes and use ultra cheap parts in at least some of their gear.  

Google the television show "How it is Made" for the episode on the manufacture of the current 275 tube amp; if you know what you are looking at, it is a pretty sad story.  They no longer hand wind the output transformers, interleave the windings and put insulation between the layers of winding; a machine winds multiple transformer cores in a matter of seconds.  The wiring to both the input jacks and to the speaker binding posts does not really exist--rather, a printed circuit board is used and the coupling is done by pressing the circuit board into place.  I have not seen anything this shoddy anywhere else.  It is unbelievably cynical of the WoM folks to allow the filming of this manufacturing process--it is free advertising and most viewers won't even recognize the travesty being committed.  
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