sale of audio research have any effect?

I think there is no way to know whether it will make ARC better, the same, or worse. It could go in any of these directions and only time will tell. I don't get the sense that McIntosh got worse, some say better, since they were bought by a foreign owner.

I seem to remember ARC had posted on its web site the specfic updates/service it would provide to older units. Looking at their site today, only passing reference is made about updating older units. Is this the first move away from their legendary support?