Audio Research Ref 6 SE

Has any ARC owner ever compared their Ref pre to the EAR-Yoshino 912?

Big EAR fan but prefer ARC pre.   More air bloom ...

"...why were ARC using totally inferior and poor quality capacitors, internal wiring and other parts in the first place??"

My thoughts precisely :)

Ditto :-)   Same with Auto companies ... new model every few years.  They can't make a PERFECT car?   What a scam plus FORCE me to upgrade.   No Choice!!!

You can't measure capacitors, resistors, transformers, wires ...for improvements and advancements?   No specfications?

should pick the best components out there, e.g. capacitors, resistors, transformers, etc., from the get go

Best is not indefinite.   ie: best in 1960 probably not best in 2020?
I do agree not all upgrades and new models are improvements.  ie.  Ref 3 to Ref 5 not good ROI.    I had my ARC Ref250 unofficially upgraded by ARC to SE and major SQ improvement still rolling KT120.   Then another jump in performance with KT150.  They only replaced passive components capacitors, resistors, wire ...

Every time ARC announces upgrade, same set of character whining and probably with ZERO ARC experience.

@testpilot You gals have problem with BEST.  Again, what's best today might not best tomorrow.
IE  BEST effort building REF250 w/KT120.  After testing KT150 for several years, release REF250SE to maximize KT150 in BEST effort.   Same set of clowns WHINING..
Also, if you're happy nobody is forcing you to upgrade.   I'm happy with REF250SE and no interest in REF260M.   If I need triode power, got my CAT JL7.