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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
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@joegator81   I must say Mr. Deal is one polarizing dude!  There have been a few threads about him and from my observations it seems like you love him or hate him.  

It does sound highly improbable that you would break two tubes sent from the same source unless the tubes' structural integrity was in question.

Way too iffy for me to do business with him.  Sorry you got the short end of that stick.
joegator81
108 posts
 
Thanks for saying so hifiman, I believe it's important for customers to be honest about dealer experiences good or bad. HWDsound is fantastastic, Larry and son Marcus spent a couple of hours demoing a trade in table for me. They allowed me to play my table and then swapped my cart to the table that I was interested in. I didn't feel pressured by them and they worked with me on the price. 

I bought from upscale because of their rep of being the place to go for the best tubes with garunteed quality. If I had read responses like these I would never have done so. If this thread can at the very least cause potential customers to Way the pros and cons then I think that's a good thing. 

I think the best result would be a total sea change in the way upscale does business but I'll not hold my breath. 
audiozen
831 posts
 
Early last year I decided to buy a used Rega Mira3 integrated and Upscale had one listed for $1100.00 but did not list it as new or used. I assumed it was new since they were selling used online between $600.00 and $800.00 and sold new for $1600.00. I sent an email to Upscale to confirm new or used, and if used, send me pics of the unit. No reply. I called three days later and a staff member confirmed it was used but could not send me pics since it was boxed and sealed and ready for shipping. What a load of bull. I lucked out a week later since one popped up on Gon for $525.00 from Long Beach in perfect condition and I bought it with no regrets. Kevin is the very type of "Businessman" in High End Audio I always advise member's to avoid in my threads. Just in it for the money. I checked out Kevins' factory tour on Youtube and it starts out showing off his Porsche in the parking lot before going into his warehouse. That says it all.
audiozen
831 posts
 
I neglected to mention for tube buff's that had bad experiences with Kevin, you would be better off getting your tubes from US Tube Audio
In Scottsdale, AZ. Call them and speak to Paul. First class service. Been in business for forty one years.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,016 posts
 
audiozen,
That may be true for tubes, but they are jerks otherwise. They don't say on their website that their showroom is by appointment only, and when I called them on it, they were rude, and reported me to Audiogon (whatever that means).

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