Why was the entry level line at Audio Research eliminated?

Probably more to do with the new owners, and more focus on a world market than an American owned company catering to US sales. Not saying the direction they have taken wasn’t a wise one, but gone are the days calling them to ask a question, send in an old discontinued piece to get repaired or order a part directly. Even my local dealer has a heck of a time getting access to the new company. 
For the money a company like ModWright builds as good as or better than ARC, and there’s others as mentioned. ModWright is a great example that equipment can be made in The States that is built well, sounds great and at a reasonable price. 

Hmm, I called ARC with a few tube questions not too long ago and had fairly long chat with them. 

That’s good to hear. Hopefully things are better, but it would be nice to see them bring a couple models out that are more reasonably priced for people just getting into the hobby that might later move up the line. 

I think part of the reason is the reality of the used market. If a company comes out with product X at whatever entry level price point, but one can get a hold of an upper line model gently used for similar money, that shallows the pool IMO. In the past, site like this one, USAudiomart etc didn’t exist. Could be part of the decision making process...