Decco from Preachtree audio

Well, after much debating, I purchased the Decco. I had high hopes, but it was not to be. When I opened the box, all seemed well. But after removing the unit and unpacking it, the first thing I noticed was that the bottom lip that protrudes out from the faceplate had something that looked like dirt on it. I tried to wipe it off carefully with my shirt, but it wouldnt come off. It just did not seem right, the rest of the case is pristine, yet this one area is all dirty, and in an obvious place. I did not let that deter me though. I plugged it in, and hooked up my playstation one cd player through the analog inputs. When I tried to turn the volume knob, it was frozen! It then loosened up a BIT, but was still really tight, and I tried to use the remote at this point: it would only advance the knob to around 9 o clock. When I turned the volume control with my hand past 9 o' clock and tried to adjust the volume down the knob remained stuck, and wouldnt do anything. The worst part: no music. Nothing. So today I packed it up and took it back, got my money back. I was going to swap it out for a different unit but after thinking it over, just couldnt endorse a company with such bad quality control. Never again made in China for me. I dont care how it is designed in the United States. The fact is that there was no quality control check on the unit I got. How could they pack it up in the condition I received it in? Don't they check them to make sure they work? Unreal.

I guess I should not have said never again made in China. There is some really good stuff from China. I was just mad. I really wanted the Decco because I was going to use my computer as a server via usb. Now I might just go back to vinyl which is a pain since there is so much free music like pandora. Im sure there are a lot of happy Peachtree owners, and Im just bummed that never got to hear it in my system.

I put the Siemens 6922 tube in and all I can say is wow. The highs are sooo much better without the slight tizz I had before. I could go into lots of detail but my wife and I are sitting here listening in awe. Spending $200 for a tube is a lot of money, but I can honestly say it improved every aspect of the music dramatically. The Decca Era could have come from Mars and I would still be digging it:)

Happy in my office

Very glad the tube replacement offered quite some improvements over the stock tube. Very interesting to note that clearly the Decco benefits from a little tweaking - made even easier by the case design I believe.

If only somebody from PeachTree Audio would get back to me!!!! I've been waiting over since the 6th of April for a response, but I've heard nothing. Even sent a follow up message as I thought I'd addressed my one incorrectly.....nothing. I don't want to lose hope just yet as this thing looks like all my office Hifi dreams come true, but we're off to a bit of a shaky start....I'll put it down to over-work on PeachTree's part (hopefully due to SIGNIFICANT product enhancements and a new product range??!!!!!!!)

Cheers

Sorry to hijack your thread Jcaudio - Just to update, I've been in touch with Walter from Underwood Hifi and as soon as my TT clears, I'll have one of these puppies en-route to little old NZ!....can't wait!....and big Kudos to Wally for making it happen :-)

So have you noticed any sonic changes now that the tube has had a little time to settle in? Do you find that the sound gets 'warmer' or more detailed after a run in period with a tube?

Cheers