As an owner of the ARC CD-8, this is a major big deal issue for ARC. Most of their current as well most of their older CDPs use the Phillips transport. I hope ARC stockpiles enough to service what they've sold the last n++ years. I'll e mail Kal at ARC and find out if there's a back-up plan. I sure hope so. Nothing lasts for ever. Thanks for the heads-up.
Phillips no longer producing transports
Hi folks, as many of you are no doubt aware Phillips have decided to stop producing the Pro 2 LH transport used by ARC, Ayon, Vitus and others. What does this all mean? I'm informed by one manufacturer who I wont name that their stock of transports is good for another year or so of production whilst maintaining stock for warranty service. I'm told they are now moving toward designing a server to replace cd players in future. Esoteric are still manufacturing transports, and Accuphase have moved to a proprietory transport mechanism, so cd players will still be produce into the future. But for a powerhouse like Phillips to give up on cd transports is a harbinger, a sign of things to come and the likely phasing out of cd production. It is likely in future cd production will only continue in small runs of for audiophile labels and boutique producers, and high res downloads will continue to develop and become more mainstream. I think Bob Dylan said "The times they are a changin'".