Audio Research S80 with DeVORE FIDELITY O/96

It's always a good idea to combine overpriced components with each other. 12 grand for a couple of drivers in a box with a veneered front? Count me in! 

@wolf_garcia Try finding equal sound for less.

In addition, all aspects of both ARC gear and Devore (other than the SEAS drivers) are painstakingly made in-house, by hand, and here in the US. Some of us (you) could care less if it made by hand or robot and overseas. 

The front of the O/93 and O/96 is not veneered. Each features a thick sheet of birch ply, many of them beautiful with mirrored grain and what appears to be some form of shellac. They evoke (to me) the Japanese esthetic with their wide and squat stance, particularly the O/96. They and ARC gear provide-to many of us- a satisfying pride of ownership that-to some of us-does not pertain to mass-produced gear. 

Last, though I have not met him, I am happy to see an ambassador for all that is important in audio, John Devore, succeeding in business. I like it when I know my money is going to someone in particular and not some nameless faceless board of directors and group of shareholders. 

@fsonicsmith 

Nicely stated 

@fsonicsmith 

Yes I agree.  I like supporting both ARC and Devore.  There are additional costs in supporting these U.S. businesses which rely on traditional HiFi dealer shops.  I understand that the direct to consumer manufacturers allow for higher quality product at a lower price but there are costs involved which are hard to put a price on, such as not having local HiFi shops to go listen to new product.  I'm sure direct to consumer product allows you to test product in your own listening room with free returns but I enjoy having a local dealer.  I wish I had even more local dealers which carried more manufacturers.  But I've also owned product from Schiit and like what GR Research is doing with product testing and upgrading.  Hopefully we can find a balance.  I remember buying a lot of CD/DVDs from CDNow, Amazon and DVDEmpire and now I miss going to Tower Records!  

@dcevans 

@fsonicsmith 

Nicely stated.

Indeed

Charles

For the record (is there a record?), my amps, speakers, preamp, cables, a DAC, headphone amps, and EQs (including a brilliant Loki Max I just bought) are all US made. DeVore’s cabinets are made in a furniture shop (surprisingly owned by an attorney friend’s brother in law) next to his "chimp world" or whatever he calls it, the 96 and 93 are absolutely veneered plywood that can (and does) peel off, and ARC stuff is circuit boards and tubes being sold for multiples of other brand’s components. Hand made...really? Ever seen a Collings guitar? I have owned and can recommend plenty of things equal to or better sounding than anything from ARC or DeVore, but if people need to spend on a Japanese esthetic I’m sure John and his cat will be happy.