ARC ref10 remove handles

[yuhengdu]

Has anyone tried to remove the handles on the front plates of the ref10? I found that there are two screws inside the back of the front panels that holds the handles. Probably they can be removed. I am wondering has anyone tried it? I feel it will look better without those handles. Thanks.


Yuheng

 

[sbnx]

Do you have a plan on how to deal with the holes left in the faceplate from removing the bolts?

 

[yuhengdu]

Do you have a plan on how to deal with the holes left in the faceplate from removing the bolts?

Asked the AR service people and here is the reply:

"Summary: Yes, it is possible but the handles are what hold the faceplate to the chassis so if you remove the handle, you'll need new screws, washers and nuts that will hold the faceplate onto the chassis."

I will probably try to unmount the handles and match the bolts from lowes this weekend. Will keep posted.

 

[Bobvin]

You’ll probably need a nice hex head bolt, but matching the finish would be hard to do. Stainless would probably look good. Not sure what kind of clearance you will find inside where you want to put a nut on that bolt. You may need to work from top and bottom to access. If the faceplate holes were counter-sunk a flat head hex would be nice, but again matching the finish would be tough.

Good luck!

 

[tima]

Perhaps what identifies and ties ARC preamps and linestages together across most of the company's history are silver faceplates and rackmount handles.



From the ARC Musem at the factory.
Are you sure you want to remove those iconic handles?

 

[yuhengdu]

Perhaps what identifies and ties ARC preamps and linestages together across most of the company's history are silver faceplates and rackmount handles.

View attachment 73702

From the ARC Musem at the factory.
Are you sure you want to remove those iconic handles?

I was trying to make it look more compact since I put them directly on top of the shelf. All my previous equipments does not have handles. But maybe they are good as it is. I just need to get used to it. : )

 

[tima]

I was trying to make it look more compact since I put them directly on top of the shelf. All my previous equipments does not have handles. But maybe they are good as it is. I just need to get used to it. : )

As their top-of-the-line model linestage and phonostage, I'm thinking ARC does not want them to look compact but rather to stand out. The handles are beefy and give the units (control+power supply) a substantial look when next to each other in a rack.



That's from 3 years ago when I had the Ref 3 Phono in for review. Top: ARC Ref2 SE (phono), middle: ARC Ref 10, ARC Ref 3 phono, bottom: ARC Ref 10 PS, ARC Ref 10 Phono PS, ARC Ref 10 Phono. I never published that review but it was interesting to have the 2SE, 3, and 10 phonostages together for comparison. 4 remotes!

 

[yuhengdu]

As their top-of-the-line model linestage and phonostage, I'm thinking ARC does not want them to look compact but rather to stand out. The handles are beefy and give the units (control+power supply) a substantial look when next to each other in a rack.

View attachment 73819

That's from 3 years ago when I had the Ref 3 Phono in for review. Top: ARC Ref2 SE (phono), middle: ARC Ref 10, ARC Ref 3 phono, bottom: ARC Ref 10 PS, ARC Ref 10 Phono PS, ARC Ref 10 Phono. I never published that review but it was interesting to have the 2SE, 3, and 10 phonostages together for comparison. 4 remotes!

Very nice rack and a beautiful convoy. haha. It actually looks a lot nicer aesthetically if all the gears have handles so it stays consistent.