Russian Tube Preamp, No Return, Here I go again

robertrs

Enthusiasm Curbed: I don’t know, I feel more sorry for Sergey than myself. He packed it well, I ended up thinking the phono board was somehow damaged during shipping.

I am definitely going to avoid tube types not readily available. The listing said substitutes for Russian 6N4P was possible: "It is made according to a two-stage scheme on vintage 6N4P low-noise tubes (you can also use modern analogues 6072WA or 12AY7)"

but sergey wrote: No, DO NOT substitute.

I had a JVC Large Plinth with TT81 from Canada arrive, plinth, long tonearm and dust cover smashed, just irresponsible packing by seller. Took some time and effort but I got my money back. Found another one from Vlad, a Russian, also in Canada, he assured me about packing, took a chance, it’s my wonderful 3 arm TT now.

Much of what I/we want is located in foreign lands, and I will go thru whatever to get what I want. As my client said "3 months is but a speck of time". Japan has been trouble free for me.

LX33 seller takes returns, and says this:

"This unit is in very good condition overall, and shows some light natural signs of aging (please see photos), including some minor scratches. The bass knob is not the original part. The amp has been thoroughly tested and checked by our professional in-house technician, confirming its flawless working quality. Luxman amps are known for their robust construction and use of the highest quality parts, so it’s likely this unit will see many more years of use."

Seller, past 12 months: 413 positive, 10 neutral/negative feedback (2%), a slight risk.

https://www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/unisound?filter=period:TWELVE_MONTHS,overall_rating:NEGAT...

eBay, PayPal, Credit Card all protect you, so if not 'flawless' I would simply deal with it.

The seller already told you in explicit terms that the unit he is selling is not “flawless”. So you shouldn’t expect or demand flawless.

lewm

of course not physical appearance, function: he says "flawless working quality" 

that's a ridiculous thing to say for a used item, but it gives a buyer a way out if another disaster happens, like I just went thru with a NEW flawless item.

I tried my very best before rejecting it, more than most others would have, or could have done. It will cost Sergey $99.70 to ship it back. I think he wants to find out what went wrong for the future.

Seller was totally honorable,

prepaid $100. return shipping, I dropped off at USPS, sent him a copy of the receipt and Customs Form, he instantly refunded original purchase: unit, shipping, tax. Not waiting months to get the unit before refund.

A disaster, yet I don't regret ordering it. My decision to trust them proved true. They trust me as well, that's rewarding in itself.

Oh yeah, I made an offer last evening for a 2 month old Luxman SQ-N150. Current Model, Integrated, MM/MC, 10 wpc, remote volume, small, fits on bookcase easily.

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=33

Far more than I was thinking, I justified it this way:  I'm pre-spending the money I'm gonna get when I sell around 3,500 LP's.

Not vintage, no wood, but will be cool looking between my Grey Mitsubishi Vertical TT (they look like metal, but are painted wood) and Black Teac R2R. 

Damn thing has internal bias like my Cayin. The one I'm after has original tubes in original position which luxmanamerica advised me to verify. USA voltage.

I asked Ryan at Audio Classics about them, he said this:

"As far as the SQ150, that is a great unit.  The Luxman has been very popular in the past year.  Very appealing to the McIntosh enthusiasts it seems.  Sweet, never bright, and very very low noise.  It would match very well with the Wharfdales".