Another Industry reshuffling...

A shocker. Val Cora was always generous to me at audio shows and seems like an incredibly nice guy. His wife too, she’s an excellent brand representative with great ears and a knowledgeable manner. When he displayed his smaller original speakers at CAF first in 2017 (with Audio Research SP6 and Ref 75 from memory), I told him that I thought his room was either the best sound of the show or close to it. I have been hugely impressed by his products both at Acora and Audio Research. I have also engaged him in geological discussions about the materials he uses in the speakers, including rock from the Niagara Escarpment from his family’s quarries.

I really wish him well and hope that somehow this is not actually true. I note that the Acora website still features a picture of Val.

ARC has been on life support for some time, no surprise there. And speakers made of stone would seem to be a very limited market, both aesthetically and functionally. I'm sure they are good for rock though.

ARC released several(6?)new products last year that appear promising. Focus should continue in the mid-tier sector of HEA. Produce a near SOTA phono preamp for < $10k and hybrid integrated for < $20k and own the mid-tier market.

I hope it works out for this venerable brand but recent years have been tough. Once these brands start moving from owner to owner, the name stays the same, but, public announcements notwithstanding, the companies rarely do. I think some explanation has been offered but I always thought it odd thatAccora Flagship speakers seem to be most often matched with VAC amps, not ARC at shows. At any rate, I hope it all works out and that there are better days ahead for ARC