My understanding from digging was that the white caps were great but that there were problems with some of those caps early on in production. Not to worry, ARC tests the caps to make sure they are free from defects before install and the defective ones were returned to the manufacturer. I was also told that if the caps passed the initial testing and were installed, they were good for as long as any other caps.
ARC was hoping for the longest time that the manufacturer could continue and/or increase production--indeed, ARC's wait for these caps was the main reason for the long delays in upgrading the Ref 5 and the Ref Phono 2 to SE which included an upgrade of the caps.
In the end, the manufacturer either could not come through with enough product in time, ceased production or went under so ARC looked elsewhere for caps. Hence the gold caps. If you have white caps, rest easy
ARC was hoping for the longest time that the manufacturer could continue and/or increase production--indeed, ARC's wait for these caps was the main reason for the long delays in upgrading the Ref 5 and the Ref Phono 2 to SE which included an upgrade of the caps.
In the end, the manufacturer either could not come through with enough product in time, ceased production or went under so ARC looked elsewhere for caps. Hence the gold caps. If you have white caps, rest easy