Has anyone heard that ARC discontinued the Ref CD-9SE?

Jafant and ghdprentice .... I do not know if ARC has spares for repair.  I hope they do because the transport is a mechanical device and it will wear out in time. 

I used to own the Ref CD-8, which also uses the Pro 2 transport.  Last year, the transport started to develop glitches; I heard some CDs scrap something in the transport.  ARC lifted the spindle by using shams, but it didn't work.  After 2 tries, I gave up and picked up a CD-9SE. 

The CD-9SE works well and I hope it gives me at least 10 years of trouble free service.  Ironically, it may be that redbook CD media  goes the way of the DoDo bird.  Hence, it may not matter all that much if my CD player wears out in 10 years if there are no CDs to spin.

I may have to break down and get into the world of streaming music.  Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the technology and the lingo, so I have resisted making the move.  

I have an open question for the Forum:  is anybody pressing new CDs or are we just buying and trading old stock? 

BIF

Did a web search for companies that sell Phillips Pro 2 transports.  I found one company that may have spares:  enco.  
I passed this along to arc.  They probably know, ... but just in case ....

Jab, ... ARC could have fixed my CD-8 if I sprang for a replacement transport, which I recall they had in stock at the time.  However, the repair/replace cost was in excess of the value of the CD-8. 

I was able to pick up an almost new CD-9SE for a reasonable price, which made more sense than repairing a 12 year plus old CD player.  If I get 10+ years out of the CD-9SE, it will be worth the investment, especially since it has DAC capabilities which the CD-8 did not have.

That said, Jab you are right.  If the transport in my CD-9SE goes, I may be out of luck big time.  Hopefully, I'll have a good run with the CD-9SE.  But all mechanical devices are subject to wear over time, ... even the Phillips Pro 2 transport.           

Jab, for some reason, $1500 comes to mind.  If it was $500, I would have kept the CD-8 and replaced the transport.

ghdprentice, ... I really should try the DAC side of my CD-9SE.  Your experience is pushing me.

Thanks

BTW, I traded some emails with ARC over the last day or so.  Fear not.  ARC will not abandon us.  They are working on sourcing backup transports.  Give ARC a little time.  If I learn anything, I'll pass it along.  But I trust that ARC will not let us down.  BIF

Jafant,

I am confident that ARC will stand behind their new (as yet to be released) CD players and equally confident that ARC will stand behind their "old" CD players that use the Pro 2 transport. Not sure what ARC will do, but I am sure that ARC will figure something out.

BIF