ONE OF OUR PRIZED RESTORATIONS

A RECENT ADDITION - WALNUT STANDS

During the early 1970s two young engineers, (myself and a close friend), had little extra cash but a strong interest in obtaining new Quad Audio Systems. We decided to start a small audio systems sales and installation business. This would provide the needed cash and of course, we could purchase our equipment at dealer prices.

Another close friend from the Boston area, already an owner of a pair of AR-3 and an AR Turntable, introduced us to Acoustic Research and we became a dealer. Our first order was for a dozen AR-3a speakers for ourselves and close friends. We filled out our initial systems with Fisher 504 Quad Receivers, Dual Turntables and Dokorder 4 Track Tape Decks. Much of this equipment is still in use.

We ran the business for about nine years in parallel with our full time positions as electrical engineers. Growing families and increasing demands from our engineering positions caused us to close the business.

About 1999 I noticed all the interest on the Internet in AR and I began selling literature and manuals that I had kept for who knows why. This quickly generated a lot of requests for technical assistance and service parts. In 2000, I retired early from an engineering management position and decided to put to use my in-home electronics lab and wood working shop, providing repair and service parts for early AR equipment.

This was well received and in early 2006 I hired an Assistant, Sue, a former teacher. What a great asset she has proved to be. Sue now handles most orders processing and assists with repairs. If you’ve recently purchased a pair of restored speakers from us, Sue gets the credit for those outstanding cabinets. I now focus on technical requests and repairs, including the early AR Electronics.

Both Sue and I are thoroughly enjoying this business and just recently expanded our activity by opening an eBay Store, VINTAGE AR PARTS AND SERVICE. It has been a wise decision. We typically work two days a week filling orders and working on repairs along with time each day to address inquiries. If you’ve contacted us and didn't hear back immediately, it’s not that we are ignoring you, it’s just that we’re trying not to have this business run us. Give us a day or two, all inquiries are answered. We work hard but also take time for fun and recreation including snow and water skiing, horse back riding for me and for Sue, quilting.

We’ve met a lot of great AR fans through this business. Thanks for your purchases and sharing many walks down memory lane. We are both wise enough to realize we don’t know all there is about Acoustic Research but we do know a great deal, still have contact with some of the original AR employees and hope we are helpful.

Our business philosophy is simple, we run the business like we want to be treated when we are the customer.

Larry

(Owner VINTAGE AR PARTS AND SERVICE)