Thread: The Future of Audio Research

IMHO, it's difficult to predict with accuracy how ARC will fare long-term give it's (fairly) recent bankruptcy. I say this not to be pessimistic, but rather, realistic. In my experience, for "niche industries" e.g. "high-end audio", it's challenging for a company to stay true to both the vision and maintain the design ethos and quality of the company once the founder and original management team "passes away" and the comany is run by...executives. Usually, the success of these types of companies is the based on passion and singular vision of the founder and their "family", and once that's lost, historically-speaking, things usually go...awry. For example, imagine what would happen to First Watt if Nelson were not around. Personally, I don't want to think of a high-end audio "world" that Nelson is not a part of, so I remain "guardedly optimistic" about the future of ARC. Please just take these comments as only my 2¢; I certainly hope they can remain as successful as they have been historically, but realistically, IMHO, they are facing some real challenges.

Agree. If you need a ROI beyond a decent salary, and given the dynamics of the industry with so many more products and options than a decade ago, its a tough ask.
Anyone here want to invest their 401K in ARC?

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

From an interview with Nelson Pass I saw, I think it may have been with Mike on his podcast, he mentions he hasn't been to his factory in about 2 years, he works on designs at his ranch and the company is in good hands. Still you'd have to wonder about future innovations after he is gone. I get the impression that Pass is probably a company that will continue well into the future.

That's because Nelson and Wayne were proactive and strategic in EFFECTIVELY structuring Pass Labs to be innovative and profitable well into the future. This is the result of that thing called...leadership.