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Very Bad purchase from upscale audio Acoustic Zen Adagio

This was not my first purchase from Kevin Deal at Upscale audio. I am a entry level audiophile. My PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP and Dialogue Premium Preamplifier have given many hours of enjoyment. I have purchased well over 1K in tubes from Kevin. This purchase took me over the 10K mark with Upscale Audio. I am not a rookie to audio or tube amplification. I have had a successful tube amp repair and design shop since 1993. 
My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio's website.
This pair of Adagio's from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio's in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping
Ok.
I called Kevin and talked to him on the phone.  I asked him if he would entertain an offer. I told him that I had seen the same speakers offered on Audiogon and Audioasylum for considerably less.
He said I am a retail store and back my products. He also said this and I quote " Those people are just guys in their underwear scratching their asses." I am a store.
I trusted the description of the speakers and I trusted Kevin.
Total price. $2839.  $2499.00 plus $340.00 shipping to NC.
The speakers arrived and I couldn't wait to unpack them and hook them up. The packing was great. My anticipation was greater.
Left speaker Tweeter DOA. The same speaker had a shameful reject finish.  The lacquer was so clouded you can hardly see the wood figure. The back of the speaker was loaded with black specks under the lacquer. These speakers are seconds, rejects. I sent Kevin Deal 4 emails referring to the fact that this really was a bad deal.  It has been 3 days and no response.
On the other hand Robert Lee ( Owner of Acoustic Zen)  responded immediately to my email asking for help with the DOA Tweeter. I sent it off next day air to him and today responded that it is on it's way back  to me.
Somehow Kevin Deal's Train ran off the tracks so don't ask for your money back

rbogartr
jzzmusician
156 posts
 
I've made three separate purchases from Kevin.  All good.

The first was a Prima Luna Dialogue HP.  I sent an email asking a question about it and he called me the next day.  We talked and I bought the amp.  It arrived a few days later and I found that when I installed it in my system, one channel was dead. 

I called him and he talked me through a number of ways to test it.  It was still dead.  The replacement was shipped out before I had even packed up the malfunctioning unit.

Stellar service.

I called him again about some speaker cables.  He made a recommendation, the cables arrived and were just what I hoped they would be.

Stellar service.

The third time I bought a DAC.  Same story.

Stellar service.

I'm kicking around changing out my speakers and he's first on the list to call.

I've obviously had good experiences with him and will absolutely do business with him again.

-- Bob
jetter
3,086 posts
 
It sounds like Mr. Deal attended the Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde academy of audio salesmanship.
mdeblanc's avatar
mdeblanc
62 posts
 
Dealt with Kevin many yrs ago and was not impressed. I too got the Jekyll and Hyde treatment. Never again, if I can help it...and I can !
carmenc
293 posts
 
May as well start referring to him as Frederic March I suppose.
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
I have dealt with this company purchasing over 800 dollars worth of Tubes. Few came back as noisy and microphonic. I never went back to them. Lost my money bite the bullet and moved on. Regardless of the raving reviewers I apparently did not have a good product in the end. I never ended up using the tubes either.
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