Audio Research in Receivership.

ARC isn’t set up to be a high-volume manufacturer.  They’re a premium brand that plays in the higher end.  Full stop.  They are not Sony.  And there is plenty of room for audio manufacturers in that space and plenty are doing well.  This strikes of mismanagement to me, which leaves me hopeful that someone who understands the luxury goods market can rescue this iconic company assuming they find the right buyer.  I’m hopeful and optimistic that there’s enough brand equity and concerned long-term employees that they’ll find the right solution and soldier on. 

@atmasphere I think you are right about the KT150. + @daveyf  + @fsonicsmith1 

Y​​es, I have been tracking both KT150s and KT120s past 3 years, closely.  Picked up two spare quad sets in small availability windows that came and went again.   My amps use these tubes only.  Checking monthly, the group of less known suppliers I use [who stock up] are out of stock, again.  Checking the manufacturer - they are out of stock again too.  Clearly the war and supply lines as mentioned is not helping the situation.  The major supply in volume outside of individual sellers is relatively thin, gone for now. The supplies I tracked that "were coming  in May" are "out of stock" again or never came in.  Not sure exactly but the message is the same.  

Following ARC past few years, they were purchasing big batches, and then sorting again matching even closer matched sets in supply box groupings/ranges for new amps and replacements for customers re-tubuing their amps.  

Seems It's kinda hard to sell new amps or service existing customers in volume when you can't get output tubes in supply, or how you need them. I'm wondering who will surface to clone KT120s and KT150s, take it on, and start selling them.  

I am not suggesting ARC go mass market, but may be they should consider some diversification.  Do they make a headphone amp?  How about they emulate Manley and offer some pro oriented equipment.  When studios switched to digital recording/mixing the demand for tube equipment skyrocketed.  If you can design a low noise phono stage, I would think you could design a microphone preamp.  Tube compressor/limiters are a thing.  Even a small format line mixer should be doable.  How about a tube guitar amplifier?  Somebody has to make the most expensive guitar amplifier.

Alternatively ARC can continue to do exactly what they have been doing.  True they keep changing ownership and right now are in receivership, but may be that has nothing to do with what they sell. 

as far as I know (and I know 0), a business needs to 1) increase the prices or 2) sell more stuff to stay alive. If they sell something that a) very few people can buy and b) never breaks, they will have a problem (unless they also sell coke behind the warehouse)

But usually, with my business sense, doing the opposite of what I think would work is the right approach. So, no, don’t sell coke behind the warehouse.

Yes...the last 2 years were record sales years....haha..COVID....everyone was Home for 2 years...now people are back outside again and that's why sales have slowed considerably...look at the sales going on....You want to buy a hi fi piece of gear.....bargain with the retailer. I did and he discounted $$$$ off.