#11
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'Ditto', Jim is top notch IMO...... |
#12
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For me if not ARC, I'll buy from Upscale for 50% less expensive. I need 16 of them. |
#13
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Nothing wrong with that. Upscale does a fine job, I ordered KT-150's from them in the past with no issues. At the time, ARC told me to do that.
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#14
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Hi jpgr4blu - I don't have specifics to relay about Kalvin's departure. No fault is asking of course, however those sorts of personnel issues and decisions aren't, imo, really suited for public bulletin boards.
Passing through several acquisitions, it's not surprising the company is faced with adjusting to multiple changes that result from that. Standardization of processes and procedures across the various entities under WOM would not be surprising. I have no inside knowledge there, but attempts at economies of scale, etc. are not unusual. Kalvin (and Leonard before him) had years of accumulated experience under their belts along with deep product knowledge. Its probably unusual for a small company to have a drop-in replacement and implementing a new process for customer service and parts sales takes time for everyone to adjust and refine. Operating through e-mail request and response means there's a record of customer-company interaction independent of whomever is answering the phone; it may not be perfect but in a way it's reassuring. If there is a procedural transition underway, I have no problem cutting them some slack and being a bit patient. ARC's dealer network is v important to them, so its no surprising they'd look for local dealers to be the front line for sales and dealers may have been looking for more of that as well. The more resources the company can devote to designing, manufacturing and repairing hi-end products while keeping in-house sales efficient, the better the opportunities they may have for going forward into the future. I'm not meaning to be an apologist, just suggesting that a prosperous Audio Research is really in the interest of all of us who appreciate their products. |
#15
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Thanks Tima:
I appreciate your answer.
__________________
Wilson Alexia V, ARC Ref 160M MkII,Ref 40,Ref Phono2SE, Shunyata Triton3, Typhon, Sigma PCs, ICs & SCs, Spectral SDR4000SV (w MIT IC), Belcanto PL1, Oppo 205, Marantz 2270 (tuner only):AudioDesk and VPI record cleaners, Furutech Demag & Destat; Stillpoint Apertures, TechDas AF 3S Premium with SAT CF9 and Kuzma 4pt 9" arms, Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, Dynavector XV1-t stereo and XV1-s mono carts, Miyajima mono, Shure V15VxMR, |
#16
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#17
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Ive ordered KT150's from Jim McShane last year for a friend who was retubing his REF 750. It was'nt readilly available from Jim and we paid in advance. After one month he sent us the set for the REF 750 monoblcks and my friend has been using it for 6 months and no problem what so ever. My friend usually buy his tubes from the local dealer of ARC . But because he wanted to use the new KT150's instead of the original KT120's , ARC during that time cannot supply him w/ the 32 KT 150's ( 4 matched octets ) his amplifiers need . I got in touch w/ Jim & he was able to deliver. Tdh888 |
#18
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When shopping for power tubes (NOT NOS), I look for dealers with higher quality and larger supply of tubes for a better match. Upscale states they pay extra for tubes with higher micromhos. I always buy from ARC and considering giving Upscale a spin. |
#19
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I've used Upscale audio in the past for signal tube 6922 types for my ARC Ref 2 MK1 preamp and Kevin Deal was the real deal who had suggestions as to what sounded best. However, I have always sourced other tubes for my previous ARC gear directly from ARC.
That being said, I will miss the personal touch that both Kalvin and his predessor, Leonard gave back in the day. |
#20
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Tube order
Here is some data. Two years ago I ordered a pair of tubes
and it took 3 days from order to receipt. Now I ordered the same tubes and it will be about two weeks from order to getting tubes. |
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