ARC future...

[Golum]

Minneapolis, Minnesota (August 25, 2020) – TWS Enterprises, LLC, a privately held company owned wholly by Trent Suggs, has agreed to purchase Audio Research from the McIntosh Group, Inc. subject to completion of due diligence which is expected to be finalized by the end of August. As Audio Research celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, it is time to embark on the next chapter of its journey in high performance music reproduction.

During the past six years that Audio Research has been owned by the McIntosh Group, it has enjoyed expanded marketing opportunities and exposure to new market segments. The Design Lab at McIntosh Group also defined a new industrial design incorporating iconic elements of past products while introducing a refined, modernized aesthetic. Audio Research products were showcased with the other brands of the McIntosh group, providing wide market visibility in the United States and internationally. The support and friendship is truly appreciated.

‘It has been an honor and privilege to lead Audio Research for the past 3 years’, says Jeff Poggi, Co-CEO McIntosh Group. ‘It is with mixed emotions that we are selling Audio Research. It has been rewarding to work with the passionate team of audiophile enthusiasts and craftspeople that make Audio Research the most respected high-end valve electronics company in the world. Yet, I couldn’t be happier knowing that the brand will be under great leadership with Trent Suggs at the helm.’

There will be two familiar additions to the team: Trent Suggs will rejoin the company with dual roles, as President and as Director of North American Sales; Brandon Lauer will rejoin Audio Research with dual roles, as Director of International Sales and as Director of Marketing. Dave Gordon will assume the role of Managing Director. No other staff changes have been planned. Product development, engineering, and manufacturing remain at the company’s 20,000 square foot facility in Maple Grove, a suburb west of Minneapolis. The unique culture and processes of Audio Research will remain, and will become core functions of the company’s future development. Audio Research’s value of high performance music playback will remain at the center of all development, to continue the brand’s exceptional reputation within the market.

‘I am extremely excited for this opportunity to be back as a part of Audio Research. As former North American Sales Director, I was able to build upon the excellence associated with this corporation. Jeff and the McIntosh Group have been instrumental during this process, and to them many thanks. We look forward to our continued relationships with our valued partners for another 50 years. Being part of such an amazing organization is truly an honor. Audio Research will continue our never-ending pursuit for excellence.’ - Trent Suggs

TWS Enterprises, LLC is a privately-owned company created to hold Audio Research equities; it is not part of a group. The objective for TWS Enterprises is to further enhance brand reputation and to focus on the unique processes that nourish the culture and product innovation at Audio Research. Maximizing workforce talents while returning to small company values will allow Audio Research to strengthen its relationships, respond quickly to market demands, and continue to build some of the most sought-after electronics available today.

 

[Elliot G.]

Great news. I wish Trent all the success in the world.

 

[howiebrou]

So why did they sell AR?

 

[twitch]

So why did they sell AR?

Acoustic Research ??? it was Audio Research Corp (ARC) that got sold to the best of my knowledge........

sorry, just being a smart ass.....

 

[shakti]

I only can guess, but in many markets AR and McIntosh are working with separate distributors,
so the marketing of competing brands does not provide too much synergy.

The focus of the McIntosh Group was always with McIntosh, so AR had less innovations to launch and has suffered to continue to place their brand in the world of streaming as digital reference.

Time to make a reset and a restart to boost the brand value with competitive products.

 

[tima]

The focus of the McIntosh Group was always with McIntosh, so AR had less innovations to launch and has suffered to continue to place their brand in the world of streaming as digital reference.

Time to make a reset and a restart to boost the brand value with competitive products.

William Z Johnson sold Audio Research to Sonus Faber, the focus member of a group of audio companies purchsed by 'asset management company' Quadrivio under the name Fine Sounds. SpA, both of Milan, Italy. Fine Sounds also purchased McIntosh Laboratory, Wadia and Sumiko. In 2016 Fine Sounds Group was renamed McIntosh Group.

I don't think it is through some sort of neglect by the holding company that ARC does not have a strong presence "in the world of streaming as digital reference." Although they have had one or two CD players in their lineup for some time now, as well as a DAC, the ARC most of us know is not oriented to digita. Their strength has always been preamps, linestages, phonostages and amplifiers.

If Trent Suggs is of the 'originating ARC family' he knows this. Whether as a once again independent entity ARC now chooses to add further source technologies to their lineup remains to be seen, but is not a part of their identity that has been missing through the various acquisitions they've suffered. But the company is undergoing change more so from aging personnel than anything. Terry Dorn is gone although quite a few of the original 'ARC culture' people are still there, they are not getting any younger. Do they need more digital or streaming to survive?

Where things are interesting is with their design talent. The company went through a major loss with the passing of Ward Fieberger in 2017. He had worked as Johnson's right hand man and most of the electronics ARC offers today were designed or influenced by him. Imo, that seems to be a challenge for the new ownership. The company has a strong following and a strong brand. I would be surprised they took their resources off in a new direction until they know their foundation is secure for the future. Sheer speculation on my part.

 

[shakti]

William Z Johnson sold Audio Research to Sonus Faber, the focus member of a group of audio companies purchsed by 'asset management company' Quadrivio under the name Fine Sounds. SpA, both of Milan, Italy. Fine Sounds also purchased McIntosh Laboratory, Wadia and Sumiko. In 2016 Fine Sounds Group was renamed McIntosh Group.

I don't think it is through some sort of neglect by the holding company that ARC does not have a strong presence "in the world of streaming as digital reference." Although they have had one or two CD players in their lineup for some time now, as well as a DAC, the ARC most of us know is not oriented to digita. Their strength has always been preamps, linestages, phonostages and amplifiers.

If Trent Suggs is of the 'originating ARC family' he knows this. Whether as a once again independent entity ARC now chooses to add further source technologies to their lineup remains to be seen, but is not a part of their identity that has been missing through the various acquisitions they've suffered. But the company is undergoing change more so from aging personnel than anything. Terry Dorn is gone although quite a few of the original 'ARC culture' people are still there, they are not getting any younger. Do they need more digital or streaming to survive?

Where things are interesting is with their design talent. The company went through a major loss with the passing of Ward Fieberger in 2017. He had worked as Johnson's right hand man and most of the electronics ARC offers today were designed or influenced by him. Imo, that seems to be a challenge for the new ownership. The company has a strong following and a strong brand. I would be surprised they took their resources off in a new direction until they know their foundation is secure for the future. Sheer speculation on my part.

thank you for the insides!

 

[Golum]

William Z Johnson sold Audio Research to Sonus Faber, the focus member of a group of audio companies purchsed by 'asset management company' Quadrivio under the name Fine Sounds. SpA, both of Milan, Italy. Fine Sounds also purchased McIntosh Laboratory, Wadia and Sumiko. In 2016 Fine Sounds Group was renamed McIntosh Group.

I don't think it is through some sort of neglect by the holding company that ARC does not have a strong presence "in the world of streaming as digital reference." Although they have had one or two CD players in their lineup for some time now, as well as a DAC, the ARC most of us know is not oriented to digita. Their strength has always been preamps, linestages, phonostages and amplifiers.

If Trent Suggs is of the 'originating ARC family' he knows this. Whether as a once again independent entity ARC now chooses to add further source technologies to their lineup remains to be seen, but is not a part of their identity that has been missing through the various acquisitions they've suffered. But the company is undergoing change more so from aging personnel than anything. Terry Dorn is gone although quite a few of the original 'ARC culture' people are still there, they are not getting any younger. Do they need more digital or streaming to survive?

Where things are interesting is with their design talent. The company went through a major loss with the passing of Ward Fieberger in 2017. He had worked as Johnson's right hand man and most of the electronics ARC offers today were designed or influenced by him. Imo, that seems to be a challenge for the new ownership. The company has a strong following and a strong brand. I would be surprised they took their resources off in a new direction until they know their foundation is secure for the future. Sheer speculation on my part.

Spot on view and thanks for the details.
What I know that last Wards projects were Ref160 mono blocks from where they pulled out also Ref160S. Actually since those, they did not have any major device on the market except SE version of Ref6 (original Ref6 also Ward design afaik).
What I'm also interested in is how they will cope with the industrial design as Livio Cucuzza did a great job with rejuvenating the ARC industrial design direction with adding a bit more modern clues into it which i really do love.

Anyhow as an old ARC fan and being the user of their gear for many years I hope the new owners/management will find a way to carry the tradition for many years to come.

 

[andromedaaudio]

A dealer i know and i had not spoken to in a while said that the high end has gravitated more and more away from tubes .
People don t want the tube hassle i reckon .

Ps which however for some brands is virtually non existent

 

[Elliot G.]

Spot on view and thanks for the details.
What I know that last Wards projects were Ref160 mono blocks from where they pulled out also Ref160S. Actually since those, they did not have any major device on the market except SE version of Ref6 (original Ref6 also Ward design afaik).
What I'm also interested in is how they will cope with the industrial design as Livio Cucuzza did a great job with rejuvenating the ARC industrial design direction with adding a bit more modern clues into it which i really do love.

Anyhow as an old ARC fan and being the user of their gear for many years I hope the new owners/management will find a way to carry the tradition for many years to come.

from my understanding the new "look" Arc has had very mixed reactions. The 160m I believe was very good the Galileo series was an resounding DUD! Those products caused serious backlash from existing ARC reference customers and it was very poorly integrated into their product mix. The products also did not sell well as shown by their relatively quick disappearance. This must have been a financial disaster as well.

I do not believe that the desired result was accomplished by the owners and although good intentions they did not get the crossover to attract new younger customers to the brand by making it look "cooler"

 

[howiebrou]

I kind of like their red look...

 

[bonzo75]

I like this too

 

[andromedaaudio]

I like their old classic look .
ARC will always be synonimus with high end to me .
Listening to the ARC ref 2 on levinson monoblocs and WA speakers .
Was kind of a standard for me back in 2004 .

What i would do as ARC is immediately up their powersupplies .
To many tube amps are well designed but have a to small powersupply relative to the power output in my opinion
Giving it a tubey sound as they run out of gas early /restricted dynamics.

 

[Golum]

I kind of like their red look... View attachment 68700

I believe custom made only for Livio

 

[metaphacts]

William Z Johnson sold Audio Research to Sonus Faber, the focus member of a group of audio companies purchsed by 'asset management company' Quadrivio under the name Fine Sounds. SpA, both of Milan, Italy. Fine Sounds also purchased McIntosh Laboratory, Wadia and Sumiko. In 2016 Fine Sounds Group was renamed McIntosh Group.

I don't think it is through some sort of neglect by the holding company that ARC does not have a strong presence "in the world of streaming as digital reference." Although they have had one or two CD players in their lineup for some time now, as well as a DAC, the ARC most of us know is not oriented to digita. Their strength has always been preamps, linestages, phonostages and amplifiers.

If Trent Suggs is of the 'originating ARC family' he knows this. Whether as a once again independent entity ARC now chooses to add further source technologies to their lineup remains to be seen, but is not a part of their identity that has been missing through the various acquisitions they've suffered. But the company is undergoing change more so from aging personnel than anything. Terry Dorn is gone although quite a few of the original 'ARC culture' people are still there, they are not getting any younger. Do they need more digital or streaming to survive?

Where things are interesting is with their design talent. The company went through a major loss with the passing of Ward Fieberger in 2017. He had worked as Johnson's right hand man and most of the electronics ARC offers today were designed or influenced by him. Imo, that seems to be a challenge for the new ownership. The company has a strong following and a strong brand. I would be surprised they took their resources off in a new direction until they know their foundation is secure for the future. Sheer speculation on my part.

I believe custom made only for Livio

Daryl Wilson owns a red REF160s.

 

[Golum]

So there are few pcs floating around...lucky them

 

[asiufy]

I loved the Galileo look (and the sound!), but then, I'm not attached to the old school Audio Research look at all.
I do agree it was too much of a departure for those that ARE attached to the old look, so I do get the backlash.
Still, it's a great sounding amp.

 

[Elliot G.]

I loved the Galileo look (and the sound!), but then, I'm not attached to the old school Audio Research look at all.
I do agree it was too much of a departure for those that ARE attached to the old look, so I do get the backlash.
Still, it's a great sounding amp.

I loved the GS 150 however the whole series was not a success and the old school ARC clients did not buy it and it was very confusing as to where it stood with a reference series of components that were different. It IMO was a Marketing disaster. I was a dealer during that time and had been for over 45 years. At the end of the day Alex as you know it either sells or it doesn't and if it doesn't it wont last.

 

[asiufy]

Honestly, as a dealer, that's not how I saw it. I think folks just didn't want to pay the premium over the "regular" lines, $5k or so.
Once they discontinued the Galileo line, and the products were being sold for a lot less than MSRP, they literally flew off the shelves. So the product (and its looks) were good, the price wasn't.
So I do agree that it was a marketing blunder, in that they were competing with themselves, and making things more confusing for the customer.

 

[tima]

do not believe that the desired result was accomplished by the owners and although good intentions they did not get the crossover to attract new younger customers to the brand b

My question is: what was the desired result of the GS series? It made no sense. At first it seemed a play for a different aesthetic - a lifestyle play. In the end it may have been just the Italians wanting to make a mark, a statement with their new acquisition, thus demonstrating their misunderstanding of what ARC is all about.