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Mikey, you are embarassing me. I work maybe 15 minutes away from this place and had no idea it existed. XP

Thanks for posting this! I wonder if I could get a tour....

They have always been top of the heap or close to it.
Fantastic. Thanks for these Videos Michael.

...dealer for many years and have gone through the factory several times. These guys are absolutely wonderful. Top notch dealer care and even better end user customer service.

Never had a problem with them and they came to my rescue numerous times.

IMHO, one of the GREATEST companies out there!

Thank you for detailing and articulating why Audio Research is so Awesome. I loved the way you and Brandon showed what it takes to build Ultimate products in USA still the finest country for Audio.
I also loved Livio's comments and his inspiration on developing the newer ARC components.

you become part of the family. I love seeing people who love making stuff, but you are right early on in that the assemblers need to hear their favorite music played back on this gear. It would be life changing for them to know that they are really creating.

Hello Michael, is it possible for you to give an indication about when you will be reviewing the new ARC Ref 6 pre and Ref 3 phono? Very much looking forward to these being reviewed by you. Hopefully you will be comparing these to the Dartzeel pre and Ypsilon products you currently have. Many thanks

...the work of Warren Gehl?

Appreciate both Michael and ARC's involvement in this video. We need more manufacturers and reviewers doing this. It's much easier to understand the pricing and value behind the products when you get such a thorough tour and background info.

Plus, it can help rid the industry of companies that are more marketing/snake oil than real 'research'.

Speaking of which...is there any chance you can get a background tour of Synergistic Research's facility??? I would love to see the the difference in "research" named companies :)

how 'bout taking us to Ayre....the other of my favorite electronics company

Great video

Mike, this should be a MUST WATCH for all the dummies who say "that's a ridiculous price", or "all that wire sounds the same." If only every company operated with just some of the pride and attention to detail this one does not to mention their attention to their customers and dealers.

I was staying in Santa Barbara with my wife last night.

She was getting ready for bed and I was propped up against some pillows watching your video.

She came over to me and smiled and said, "What are you watching, honey?"

I said, "Mike Fremer's video of his tour of the Audio Research factory!"

She said, "Nerd," and went back to her side of the bed.

True story.

Michael,
Sometimes your commentary at Audio Research, sounded like I was listening to Larry David.
Audio Research, pretty pretty good.

I love to see the passion that is instilled in the ARC products and that of their employees but I have to wonder; if they go to all the trouble of hand stuffing and hand soldering the PCB's, why not just employ point to point wiring, especially with their "custom" wire?

Looking forward to the ARC Ref 6 review...

Cheers

NT

Thank you, Michael, for doing this.

It's fascinating to see all of the work and care that go into a company's work such as Audio Research. Great 2-part video, though I don't know if you realize that there is some duplicate footage in Part 2.

I'd love to see some video of U.S. manufacturers such as McIntosh and SOTA.

Interesting to see how much of the market for AR is abroad.

too bad I can't afford them!
But everytime I listen to a system that includes AR gear it instantly shoots to the top 5! Specially so when coupled to Wilson Audio speakers or top of the line Sonus Faber.

Thank you Michael. Do more of these when you can. There must be some local places like Devore or Joseph Audio that would be convenient.

I hate it when people try to make me feel not so awful and tell me that money ain't everything. But man, if I had some, I know I'd get me a AR system.

Lovely videos, I really enjoy how people working there seem very decent, down to earth and highly qualified. No hype of show off, just good workers. One doesnt get to see these folks very often any more.

What do you make of the statement in the AR Reference Phono manual that "In the early era of stereo records both Columbia and Decca Studios used equalization curves which varied from the RIAA standard"?

Yes, Stereo Review did have its faults, but as I remember they posted at least as many negative reviews as Stereophile. And they could write to some of the theory behind their measurements and what they mean. That numbskull Atkinson on the other hand..

I dont think it is nonsense and from my own tinkering have found that different materials, produce different sonic signatures by interaction of the E-field.
But it looks like the only cables that are lifted, are going into the main power amp and speakers, why is this?

the thoughtful way they have their manufacturing process set-up. I'm lusting after some ARC!

I've delt with Brandon a few times during his retail days in NC. A great guy!

Now when someone asks me why high-end equipment costs so much, I can point them to this video. I knew there was a lot of hand-assembly, testing, burn-in, etc., performed when these components are built, but actually seeing it really makes it clear that there is a lot of labor involved in making these components. The physical side of things (parts and materials cost, especially the metalwork) I understand more due to my industrial background.

I ended up going the Conrad-Johnson route, but still hold ARC in high regard. There was some nice-sounding ARC gear at AXPONA this year.

I had a friend who lived in the Twin Cities and had a Silkscreening company. When visiting, for the first time, at his business, where he and his wife basically were the only employees (and where my visit was taking them away from work) I stopped to say hello to his wife working the pad printer. Lo and behold, she was printing the face plates for an Audio Research power amplifier. In another area I saw other metalwork, ready to be shipped across town to the ARC factory. Just one of those small things that you don't forget.

Cool to see that they run and power cycle the finished components for 2 days, along with the power tubes separately.

Mikey (or anyone else), do you know if they do the same for the small signal tubes that go into their preamps?

Thanks for posting. This company already had my respect but now it's been kicked up a notch. (any chance you're headed Richard Vandersteen's way....if so, take a camcorder!)