Another Industry reshuffling...

+1 @hotei 

OK, I'll bite.

Yes, I own and ARC Ref6SE preamp, and it is a great piece (MSRP $22,500).  In fact, it is an audiophile legacy piece - one of the best preamps in recent times.  

That being said, yes ARC's new flagship gear is expensive.  

Yet, I find many AG-ers a bit hypocritical when they support "It's their money, they can spend it on what they want" themes if/when the discussion involves $750,000 Wilson speakers, $250,000 turntables, $165,00 D'Agostino preamp ( @yesiam_a_pirate ), $20,000 Koetsu cartridges, or $20,000 AQ Dragon XLR cables (2m)... then diss ARC. 

Really?

Maybe huge banks of tubes to power average-to-lower efficiency speakers are no longer as popular and acceptable as before. Seems high quality tube availability might be more limited and prices are significantly higher than before. Also, there is also sonic improvements in modern SS amps.

Personally, I’m not a fan of large banks of tubes or running so hot like space heaters.

Acora speakers has a lot of competition including the more recent Estelon speakers whose sound and form I favor more. 

@hotei 

Yea, ARC sucks

Do you own ARC equipment?

ARC does not Suck.  They make some incredible products and their service department is second to none. And yes it’s from personal experience that I say that.

I have owned ARC on and off forever, in fact I still have a SP9 MKll and a two channel crossover ( I can’t remember the model number off hand). I still use the preamp with my Acoustat Model X’s.

I guess I should have used the sarc. symbol.  I have ARC gear and it, too, is the best sounding gear I have owned.  VSi 75, Ref 2 SE PHONO, and CD3.

ARC gear is still great, I own a REF160S and an LS28SE and previously had a REF75SE and a 150SE. All have been great. My interaction with the factory has always been great too, responsive and reasonable. I never thought Acora was going to make it as a brand - too heavy, expensive, niched and too much competition. Like others have commented here, it always stood out to me that Acora displayed with VAC at shows instead of ARC. Was Val so confident, arrogant or naive that he felt displaying his speakers with the most direct competitor to ARC was his prerogative? I also think it odd that he wasn’t called on the carpet by ARC leadership the very first time he did that and told in no uncertain terms to use ARC gear. All’s well that ends well I guess. Dave Gordon’s back where he belongs!