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Frank is gone. AVA lives on!

A very sad day:

We are saddened to announce that after a short illness, our founder, Frank Van Alstine, died on Wednesday, January 29th. Frank had been an innovator in the audio industry for over 57 years. Always bringing a “no nonsense approach” to the products he offered, satisfying his passion for creating high quality products with high value was always his primary goal. His greatest joy in business was from the happy letters and feedback he received from his customers.

At the time of his death, Frank had been transitioning toward full retirement. His staff has been skillfully managing the business for the last few years. Daily operations, manufacturing, engineering and product development, and service on AVA products continue without pause.

Many of Frank’s staff have worked with him for decades. We started as his customers and were drawn to his passion for audio. We were audiophiles, and we became his friends. He will be greatly missed!

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pryso
1,944 posts
 

Many years ago I subscribed to his newsletter and admired his sensible approach to component design.  But for some reason I never owned a AVA product.  Still, sad to hear of his passing.

shtinkydog
705 posts
 

Short story here.  About 2 or 3 years ago, I emailed 3 different pre-amp manufacturers with questions about their offerings.   Of the 3, he was the only one who replied, and almost immediately.  He got my business.  RIP Frank.  

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,899 posts
 

 

@pryso: Yeah, those newsletters of Frank's were great. In them he looked "under the hood" of electronics in a way none of the glossies did. His Dynaco PAS "mod" (using 5751's in place of the stock 12AX7's) was the quietest tube pre-amp I've ever owned.

 

wideload's avatar
wideload
148 posts
 

in the late 80s, we were two or three months into an extended stay in Rochester, MN as the docs from Mayo clinic desperately tried and ultimately failed to keep our six-year-old son alive. Needing a break one day, I drove down to Burnsville to what I assumed would be a shop of some sort. After driving by Frank’s home a few times I finally called and was invited into his basement whre AVA  lived. I spent the afternoon in the comfort of Frank’s generosity while bathed in glorious music from his modest system. Yes, I bought stuff from him.

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