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Audio Research discontinuing lower lines components?

I have looked at several components in Audio Research's line and they are discontinuing the LS17-se, PH8, and PH6.  They discontinued the DAC 8.  I know there is a new Ref 6 to replace the Ref 5se and their is a new Ref Phono 3 to replace the Ref Phone 2se coming out.  I talked to my dealer and he stated that Audio Research seems to be making their components look more McIntosh like in the Galeo series. 

The dealer stated their isn't going to be anything that he has heard that will replace the other lines at this point and that AR will be starting at the LS-27, which is $7500 for preamps.  The Ref 75se is the beginning of the line for Amps, which I know, but man are they going the Mac route with prices, nothing to replace the DAC 8 and the other DAC in the line is $11,000, what's up with this, have you guys heard anything more. 

The starting point for AR equipment is getting pretty high and the only way a newer person without means will be able to afford it will be to buy use, which could send the used prices up if there isn't anything else in the line.  What do you guys think and what have you heard?
sid1
jhconnor's avatar
jhconnor
58 posts
 
You are comparing the price of a REF-3 to the REF-30? Ha ... that's not a fair comparison. The 2008 price of a REF-3 needs to be compared to the price of a new REF-6.

REF-3 ... $10,000.
REF-6 ... $14,000.

I totally agree. A better comparison to the Ref 10 would be the Ref Anniversary preamp, which came out in 2010 for $25,000. 
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
^^^ Exactly, jhconnor. ^^^ Thanks for not being stone-blind to the truth.

For the others ... There is nothing wrong with our system as it was intended. The problem is, men have subverted the system to meet their own needs and the needs of their wealthy campaign donors. A good example is the current president trying to give amnesty to 11 million people with a stroke of a pen.

According to the system laid out by the Framers in the Constitution, only Congress can create laws. The President signs the bills into law and enforces them. He's the cops. Congress creates the bills to be signed. Congress is the Legislature. The current president is assuming the job of Congress. Read the very first sentence in Article I of the Constitution for clarity.

To see just how far we've traveled down "The Road to Serfdom" (as Hayek called it), read Madison's Federalist 57 to see what he had to say over 200 years ago about our current ruling class that passes laws for the "common people," and then subsequently exempt themselves from those very same laws.  

Okay, enough political rantings. Back to the subject at hand: How's your expensive Audio Research Amp sounding these days? Mine sounds just dandy. 

Happy listening ...
taters
1,149 posts
 
Jhconner,

That's a 40 percent price raise in 8 years. Even Ferrari doesn't raise their prices that high. I could see a 20 percent Increase in 8 years. 40 percent is ridiculous.

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cleeds
5,694 posts
 
taters"Jhconner, That's a 40 percent price raise in 8 years."

Taters, we get that you really don't like ARC - but that doesn't excuse your fuzzy math. The Ref 3 was introduced in 2004 at $10K. A Ref 6 in 2016 is 14K. Calculating simple interest, that's about a 3.3 percent a year price increase. When you consider that the Ref 6 offers a reported improvement over the Ref 3, that's actually a very modest price hike. Of course, you don't care for ARC, so probably whatever they charge is too much for you.

dchang1981
66 posts
 
taters will not be happy until everyone hates ARC
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