Viva, no longer a fan


Viva as a company has decided to abandon the audiophiles who engage in the used market.  I heard that the had implemented new transformers in there amps.  I emailed them directly 3 times over a 2 week period with no reply.  Finally I called and the knew who I was by name, surprised I was then told that the US importer would be contacting me.  Here is the mail exchange:

From: John Krupa
Date: September 21, 2016 at 7:04:52 PM EDT
To: support@vivaaudio
Subject: Fwd: Viva Audio

Totally what I did not expect!!! I was primarily looking to upgrade them to the new Quattro status as I understand there was an big transformer upgrade that I was willing do in addition to the voltage change. After the Bob Clarke email I was taken back and responded how I felt. I really am no longer interested in Viva as a company to do business with if that is the case and will blog the copy of this email to the various sites.


From: John Krupa 
Date: September 21, 2016 at 2:08:37 AM EDT
To: Bob Clarke
Subject: Re: Viva Audio

The Verona's are at my Girlfriends house in Manchester. I heard there was a new Transformer upgrade in the Quattro series, hence my interest. I have over $300k invested in my system and I have Sola CVS transformers providing both voltages hence it was only for convenience sake. Upgrades are and have been part of this industry that I have been a part of for over 40 years since I started in this hobby. Name the manufacturer and it hasn't been a problem. Upgrading from. Mk1 to a Mk2 or an SE upgrade. Weather it be BAT, YG, Plinius, Ayre, the list goes on and on, It's a shame that a manufacturer acts in such a petty way. I will make sure that I share this email on all the sites that I am a part of! It's funny but this I believe reduces the brands appeal and will drive down its resale valve hence the initial desire to purchase in the first place. This is an email I would have expected from a "name deleted" type. Now I guess Viva! No longer a fan!


On Sep 20, 2016, at 12:02 PM, Bob Clarke wrote:

Dear Mr. Krupa,

Viva Audio has asked me to respond to your request regarding voltage changes and upgrades for Viva Verona amplifiers and Linea linestage. Viva no longer services equipment purchased on the used market from anyone that is not an authorized Viva dealer. They do not make voltage changes, in order to discourage grey-market international sales. I would recommend using a high-quality, high-current step-down transformer, which, besides allowing the use of a European voltage product, will also have the beneficial effects that isolation transformers provide.

Best regards,
Bob Clarke
Profundo


Ag insider logo xs@2xvip428
Curious what the expectations would be if you sent a used piece of gear to the manufacture and he told you it had been modified and he would have to restore it to original and then do the work. 

I have taken my car into another dealer in another state and he asked me if it had been modified. I say no and he is happy. 

Stop whining and find a guy that works on tube amps. No more winning. 

Would some one please tell me what is wrong with finding a repair shop and just going there. I don't get it. Maybe they would rather spend their time helping their customers. 
Damb it go get it fixed by a local repair place. Many manufactures go out of business or die yet products are fixable. Anyone hear of marantz, fisher , Scott. Man if I were a moderator on this forum I would be warning you by now. If I had a viva product I would repair it and kiss it every day because that is how good it sounds.
Most manufacturers will not upgrade 10 year old amplifiers. Most people asking for such and getting a no answer dont slander the company online.  Only thing VIVA did to this guy is say no to his upgrade. And he acts like the sky is falling.

This is to be a nice and open discussion on Viva and their decision as quoted here: "  Viva no longer services equipment purchased on the used market from anyone that is not an authorized Viva dealer."

Reasonable folks can say, as I have, that this decision is a best concerning. Yes, get it fixed and upgraded by any good tech or do it yourself. All true. However,  the greater point is if you buy your wonderful sounding Viva amp used here on Audiogon and elsewhere, understand Viva won't help you ..... Ever.  Too bad and bad business. Pretty simple point here guys.  Certainly one that has merit.