Audio Research in Receivership.

got a chuckle out of this

we should all realize there are all kinds on a forum like this, and a subject like this one, arc going through a business transition, reminds us all too well that there are folks who are experienced, knowledgeable, and just as many whom are clueless - about business, about hifi, about the business of hifi

audio research has been, is, and will continue to be one of the defining, stalwart brands in high end hifi, beloved, with owners of their products all over the world -- such a brand will not be allowed to fall into the abyss, there is simply too much brand equity

one can only hope that this group of new owners/investors will work with their chosen management to make better business decisions -- about products, product positioning, operations, dealers and representation in the usa and around the world -- to put the company on solid footing once again, and be poised continue as an industry leader going forward

@jjss49 

I agree completely and couldn't have said it as well. 

I’ve had an AR VSI 60 for 10 or 12 years. It can be a touch cold, but it’s transparent, 3D, and has strong and fast bass compared to other tube amps (in my experience.)

I’m so gun shy from the all the problems with this amp over the years, I rarely hook it up. It’s expensive to get repaired and KT120s are hard to come by these days.

I didn’t even consider Audio Research, before I bought a Primaluna EVO 300 last year. If a tube goes bad with that amp, a light comes on. If a tube goes bad on the AR, the amp burns up internal parts that have to be replaced.

This is my second Primaluna, I have an original Dialogue Premium that’s never had any issues. The AR sounds a little more HiFi, but I trust the primalunas and enjoy rolling tubes.

There has to be lots of people out there with similar stories. My VSI 60 wasn’t designed to be dependable. (My opinion) That’s not a recipe for success.

@randybrinkman: Some ARC owners get defensive about their favorite brand of electronics, but your experience is not atypical. The ARC decision to not fuse their output tubes---using :"sacrificial" parts in their place---leads to amp repairs being required every time a tube goes bad. And output tubes in ARC amps going bad is a frequent occurrence (1,000 hours in typical); the tubes are driven hard. That amplifier design is akin to building a car which, when a tire blows, the car's suspension is taken out with it.

Here's what ARC stands for now: "AS Receivership Continues" Now that's not funny because it's probably true!