/3/ - 3DCG

>>730218
Use dupliverts.
Make the array place vertices where you need the objects to go, then make the object you need placed the child of the verts, then in the instancing area of the object panel, turn on dupliverts.
It'll place an instance of the object at every vertex. Which is why you'd want to only array a single vertex. And since only the one vertex is being influenced by the curve, geometry doesn't get distorted.

Dupliverts is pretty awesome when you figure out what it's for.
Just make sure that the source object is perfectly aligned with the first vert otherwise it'll just "be there" without any way to hide it or move it. Moving the origin of the source object works well though.
Also, your first vert should be from a plane or other object. I've tried to get it working by placing a vert through the add menu, but it doesn't behave like you'd expect.