A Few Nice Words For Upscale Audio


Back in October '23 I started to have problems with my preamp, a 2005 edition Pathos InControl.  Upon turn on there was a hum/throb in one channel.  Hoping for a simply solution I ordered a pair of replacement tubes from Upscale Audio.  When swapping out the tubes I observed that the ceramic collar to a tube socket had basically fallen apart.  Not that that mattered since the hum/throb was still there.  Upscale happened to be the US importer/distributor/service center for Pathos, an Italian company, so I called them for advice.  They told me to ship the unit to them and they would make repairs.

I'm going to make a digression here and say what a total PITA it was to ship the preamp.  I'll never use UPS again, that's for sure!

Upscale gets the preamp, fixes the tube socket and removes an annoying click at "32" on the volume control, but they could not reproduce the hum/throb.  They talked to me and we agreed that they should test it a little bit longer.  Just when they were about to give up a say the preamp is functioning perfectly, it completely stops working.  They determine the problem was a failed circuit board in the power supply.  Upscale contacts Pathos and they are told they don't stock the board, but that they could make a new board.  I authorize the repair.

The first week in January I contacted Upscale for the status of the repair and I was surprised to find that it was ready to be shipped back to me.  It was sitting on my front porch in less than a week.

So thank you Upscale and Pathos for providing first rate support for your product.  All told the cost came to approximately $1k of which boxing and shipping totaled nearly 1/3 cost.  I doubled boxed the preamp when I shipped and Upscale tripled boxed when returning.  A nice touch!

128x128onhwy61

Glad to hear it got resolved quickly @onhwy61. Upscale is around the corner from me. Oddly enough, my visits to them always seem to be at that same precise moment when I find out finances will allow.

For years now, I also stop in once in a while just to check out their new stuff. Everyone there is really nice: Sean-Paul, Brandon, Jordan, Ken, and forgot the other guy with the beard  and of course Kevin and his Sister. I’m forgetting a few others. I feel fortunate to have them so close to me. Good people and nothing but good things to say about them. Plus Kevin is a tubes, motorcycle, and car guy as well. No one I’d rather spend my hard earned money with. I’ve purchased 75% of my gear there and would strongly recommend them to others. There are a few others I forgot, but I can say everyone (including the guy in the warehouse) are all cool people. 

 

I can say that everyone that I have dealt with at Upscale have been top shelf above and beyond service that you just don't see much anymore. 

I’m actually surprised by all these raves considering some past threads here and a friend’s recent experience with a speaker audition there.