Audio Research Financial Troubles

hsounds

I own a Ref 5 SE. let me know when I can stop by and grab your Ref 6,3,or 2,SE on the cheap so you do not have to worry anymore.

Huh? I already said I’m contemplating trading my 5SE for a 6SE. (I plan to keep my Ref Phono 2SE.) I don’t have any stock in ARC, so I have nothing to worry about.

If you are really in the market, have you looked on Audiogon or USAudiomart recently? There is plenty to chose from at attractive prices.

Is it true? Go to hifishark and filter by "North America". Then I see none of the Reference 3 phono preamp - don’t confuse those numerous & ancient Ref 3 line stages with the Ref 3 phono stage he (presumably) wants. There are a couple Ref 3SE phonos - 1 priced way above market, the other replicated on a few sites (TMR) and still a bit above market. There’s 1 Ref 2SE phono in Canada. And there’s 1 Ref 6 line stage (which actually used to be mine - nice unit). Definitely no glut of cut-rate units in those three recent-ish models. If you go back to the much older models (like Ref 3 line stage), yeah you could consider that a glut, but it's more understandable. 

There has been no actually new product from ARC since Ward Fiebiger passed away in 2017. He, essentially alone, designed all the ARC audio  circuits since 2005. Trent Suggs purchased a company that was already compromised from a design talent standpoint. How difficult would it be to use the Reff 6SE as the basis for a Ref 10 (based on Ref 5SE) replacement?  Why has the 320M gestation been so difficult? Financial capital is essential to business, but it is meaningless without human capital to put it to use. ARC has another 6-8 months to develop momentum on all relevant fronts before the new owners come to an unpleasant crossroads, 

@jetter 

 It’s all about cash flow. Ongoing operations have mismatches between purchases and the delay of revenue from sales as well as ongoing cash obligations to pay staff. It is a multi national company so it also has fluctuations in currencies… etc. etc. etc.  This is not in any way intended to be an exhaustive list. I have communicated with Trent (the former owner), and learned much more through my friend dealer who spoke to him often.  In addition there were tube cost increases. Anyway, it is a shame what happened, because he was doing great things for the company. The new owner is very committed and has deep pockets.

Nobody really knows what will happen with them or any business. It depends on the decisions leadership makes, how well the company is positioned, and how well it delivers a compelling promise to the market in a way to support continued profitability. 

People much smarter than me have ruined businesses. I hope they continue to do well, but in the end they are subject to the laws of the free market.