AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Odyssey Audio => Topic started by: ClaytonJ2 on 21 Dec 2015, 03:42 pm
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Hello,
Kinda a long story, so will condense. I got an amp that I thought was an Odyssey, but it would up being a knock off. Klaus said he'd rebuild it with new guts for $500, so I sent him the amp back in August. Had brief phone conversation and a few emails before shipping the amp, but I haven't heard anything since. I've tried calling and emailing, but no luck getting in touch with him. Something happen? Any advice for how to get in touch?
Thanks,
Clayton
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It is the holiday season, so he may be out for a spell. Pretty sure you are in good safe hands with Klaus...
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317.299.5578
And yes, we are hyper busy, and yes, there are , unfortunately, priorities, and yes, the amp is a copy, and yes, I did agree to upgrade and work on it pretty close to cost to do a favor, and yes, call me as you will get a hold of me, especially in the evenings
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And again we are shown, no good deed goes unpunished.
Shouldn't this thread's title be changed to:
"Sent non Odyssey amp to Odyssey four months ago asking a big favor to cover my lack of due diligence, haven't heard back"
Klaus, sorry to hear some scum(s) are knocking off your designs. Why not get a cup of your favorite beverage take a break and call Nelson Pass and compare stories. You can start with counterfeiters then end on a positive note about what it feels like to be awarded Best Of by The Absolute Sound.
The thing I don't get is Klaus' gear is so high value and inexpensive why not just get it new factory fresh with the latest parts and tweaks?
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Klaus you're too nice. But perhaps from now on it's easy to preclude such favors with not taking priority.
I mean, the reality is you dug your own damn hole by winning awards left and right, so there's no one to blame but yourself for being so busy :lol: .
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I'd like to see pics of the knockoff so we all know what NOT to buy. I'm sure there are more of them out there.
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I'd like to see pics of the knockoff so we all know what NOT to buy. I'm sure there are more of them out there.
GOOD idea.
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Moot point...ODL amps from people that I shouldn't have trusted in 1999 !!!!!!! Talk about a 1980's Mustang vs. a 2016 Shelby GT....
and actually, on about half of these amps were already upgraded and spec'd out with fresh new warranties and correct parts........
Some people didn't know that they got unauthorized units, and it wasn't their fault, so of course I took care of them... on the other hand I'm sure that some did and ddin't care about my situation, but at this point, 17 years later, so what ??? Back then though it was more like "go fcuk yourself".......
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To the industry participants who reacted negatively to this post...Yes, Klaus is a great guy, and he most certainly has earned his reputation as a standup business person who delivers a wonderful product and service at a great price. But if we assume this poster is telling the truth and did reach out on multiple occasions to contact him with no luck, what is he, as a customer, supposed to do? In no way does he disparage Klaus' name in the original post above...he's simply looking for a way to reach him from people who might know something he doesn't.
Yes, it is reasonable that this "fix up" job should not be a priority for Klaus, and it is certainly a kind gesture on his part to accept the work. I think the poster (Clayton) himself understood and would admit to these points. But once Klaus accepted the job, the customer should be treated like anyone else.
A customer – any customer, whether they spend $100 or $10,000 – has a right to be frustrated with the crickets Clayton allegedly received (assuming, again, that he's telling the truth). I say this as a business owner for more than 20 years; if one of my customers took to the boards with this kind of question – in the tone it was asked, for the reasons it was asked – I would completely understand it. Ironically it appears that Klaus is the one "industry participant" who seems to understand this, judging by his measured response in this thread.
Not every poster who asks a genuine question in frustration on a message board is ungrateful and unreasonable; let's not paint them all with a "you have no idea what it's like to run a business" brush. Sometimes you, as a business owner, are not the victim. Sometimes you drop the ball and should be accountable for it.
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md92468,
+1. Very well put.
Dave.
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+2
Well said.
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Not many people would take care of this - hats off to Klaus and Odyssey for going above the beyond.
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:thumb: :thumb:
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Who else would do this?
Way to go Klaus..
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md92468, Klaus is doing right, but as I mentioned no matter whom on what priority points, it's important to communicate. When I make a custom piece I tell them, sure it could be made in say 1.5 months under perfect circumstances but I also need you to accept it could take 4 months. Also I don't have control if I can't get parts, but I will inform you of the situation.
Even if Klaus is doing a generous favor, communication must happen. It's important for the person taking on the responsibility not to make consistent bad estimations on time lines. So don't think some of us are giving a free pass to do such generous favors that communication isn't important. We buy products and have work done on things, and we need to have communication too.
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Had a nice chat with Klaus this evening. My speakers are Martin Logan Monolith III's and the amp is for the panels. He's going to do something purpose built for those. I didn't understand all the words he used, so I won't try to describe exactly what I'm getting. Perhaps he can reply with that info?
ETA is late January and I now know how to get in touch with him.
Thanks folks!
Clayton
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Clayton
You are working with one of the finest people in the Industry. I have known him for over 15 years and during the time of the ODAV fiasco. He is a man of his word. He will take care of you in the fairest way he knows how, you just need to be patient. What you sent him to work on and what you get back will have nothing in common except the case. Your ML's will be happy.
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No doubt Klaus is the best audio professional that I have worked with in over 30 years. Quite honestly, I don't know how he does it all. Actually I do... He works very hard and does his very best for his customers. I have referred several friends who were amazed at the service and support from Klaus and team. Merry Christmas Klaus!
Al
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The thing I don't get is Klaus' gear is so high value and inexpensive why not just get it new factory fresh with the latest parts and tweaks?
+1, Amen, and rock on ... or something.
And Happy Holidays!
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Moot point...ODL amps from people that I shouldn't have trusted in 1999 !!!!!!! Talk about a 1980's Mustang vs. a 2016 Shelby GT....
and actually, on about half of these amps were already upgraded and spec'd out with fresh new warranties and correct parts........
Some people didn't know that they got unauthorized units, and it wasn't their fault, so of course I took care of them... on the other hand I'm sure that some did and ddin't care about my situation, but at this point, 17 years later, so what ??? Back then though it was more like "go fcuk yourself".......
I just busted out laughing when I read that last sentence. LOL I swear, I feel like Klaus and I are from the same fabric. Haha :thumb:
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So, you got a fake, Klaus will make good on it, and you're upset? Try THAT with a Rolex!
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Here are pics of the amp. Identical chassis, different front logo / plate. I hadn't heard of Odyssey when I got it, so simply relied upon the store's tag. Sounded better than the Nakamichi PA-7 I had been using, so I kept it and never thought to question the identity until I got in contact with Klaus and he told me it was a knock off. No complaint about the store here, they thought they were acting in good faith and I've enjoyed a long relationship with them. Just curious, how'd the people who made the amp I got come by the chassis? Were they the supplier to Odyssey?
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=133873)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=133875)
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So, you got a fake, Klaus will make good on it, and you're upset?
No, he wasn't - his original post was simply an inquiry -
"but I haven't heard anything since. I've tried calling and emailing, but no luck getting in touch with him. Something happen? Any advice for how to get in touch?"
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So, you got a fake, Klaus will make good on it, and you're upset? Try THAT with a Rolex!
You missed the point completely. Good golly.
Anyways, it appears the two have talked so all good.
Dave.
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I don't think I read that he was in any way upset with Odyssey, he was just making an inquiry. I have purchase 2 items from Klaus and because of my experience with them both from dealing with Klaus and with the product itself causes me to want more of these Odyssey toys. It is a great product and company. Klaus has stated here that he is taking care of it and let it be that. Too many mediaism's (if that is a word) going on here.
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Wont be surprised, I have purchased Extreme Mono amps in 2005 and last October one of the amps suddenly was making popping sounds and a few days later died on me. I have tried to contact Klaus and described the problem I am having and never got a response. Base on my own experience I will never again will I buy anything from him.
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????????????
I'm very sorry if that fell between the cracks.....you've got to get back with me on that one..................
317.299.5578
Send amp to: 6731 West 79th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46278.
Include a detailed letter about what happened.../....
Most likely a cap...as mentioned dozens times earlier, electrolytic caps should be replaced every 7-10 years...it's like the oil change for your amplifiers.......any amplifier
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electrolytic caps should be replaced every 7-10 years...it's like the oil change for your amplifiers.......any amplifier
I thought most of these caps are rated for ~20 yrs?
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Wont be surprised, I have purchased Extreme Mono amps in 2005 and last October one of the amps suddenly was making popping sounds and a few days later died on me. I have tried to contact Klaus and described the problem I am having and never got a response. Base on my own experience I will never again will I buy anything from him.
Really because that's not what you were saying (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=19150.msg168645#msg168645) back then.
I hope you get it worked out. And just to point out you had 10 problem free years, yes?
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Klaus said will fix,but to what extend, i wonder,these knock offs usually are made of low quality materials...
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Where is the dealer in all this? When did they realize there was a problem, and are they paying for corrective action (or at least a %)?
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You know what Geowack ???
I've finally had it after you posting negative, distorted, and slanderous stuff for years now..., since me sending you both amp and Tempest back and forth, re-done, then a Candela, then a Symphonic Line RG 9 integrated back to you with the offer of keeping any of the units for no extra cost...on my dime and time to help you with your hum problem in your system, (which magically appeared after some time, and to be honest, can be caused by certain changes in the system with gear that is incompatible ground wise) which none of the units had whatsoever...then finally getting a customer of mine your units and have him pay a used price for your gear and for-fitting any profits and taking a financial hit......and then your posts, again and again and again as to how bad the equipment was (funny that the other owners of the same identical pieces never had a problem) and that I never did anything to rectify the (your" problems").....really makes me wonder.
...and this is my circle, and I don't want you to post here anymore...
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Now to the situation at hand:
Since August business went exploding !!! we're talking a 85 % increase over last year, which was very good...85 %, that's a lot, and that's before the last Amplifier of the year award from TAS !!!
Plus, we have asked to have 6 reviews scheduled for 2015/early 2016 delayed because of the sheer workload already......
So, several upgrades and some repairs just simply took a backseat, necessary for me, but also not nice for my customers.....what I did in every single case was either not charging for any or most work (as parts are warranted anyway) or actually giving the customers, like Clayton a super sweeeeeeeeet deal. I feel bad about delays, and wish I could take on everything immediately, believe me.
And as for not answering or ignoring any requests: pretty much anyone of you knows that I'm available not 24/7, but whenever I'm awake, as I have the phone forwarded to home and / or my cell. I'm available to talk to, no matter what...Emails have always been a bit so-so as I have way too many of them, and as there can indeed be oversights...we have now over 5800 customers across the board, and there are still a lot of emails and also inquiries and sales to existing and loyal customers, and we told quite a few to wait with any upgrades (Kismets are going nuts) until later in 2016 once we catch up....
However, in the past month or so we really turned up production, and I can already see some light at the end of the tunnel, and hope that by the end of February we'll be at a more normal schedule...I really hope so, because honestly, I don't want to keep up this schedule much longer than that...
So yes, I have to admit that in the past months things could have been smoother, and yes, at times I screw up as well, and apologize as well as I can...by making sure that I make it up to that person and put a permanent smile on his face............
Rock on,
Klaus
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As for the ODL copies, not worth the discussion...has been 16 years now, and out of the 50 + units that I think existed, I took care of more than half of the owners........
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And as for caps...yes, some caps easily live even more than 20 years without blowing up...depends on where they are and in what environment of the design and what quality parts / construction is used......however, just like a tube, performance will go down, no matter what...just the nature of electrolytics slowly drying out over time......as for me with the 15,000 uF power supply caps, I can hear a difference of newer caps vs. those 7, 8 or 10 years old and in operation for that time....just saying that it's not a safety issue, but more a performance one...you want to keep good tires on your sports car when you have track days, right ???
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JohnR,
thanks for your help....
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Not to admins: Geowak has been banned from my circle........
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I purchased my Khartago Stereo Amp last year... I think I talked to Klaus originally in February 2015 - it took a couple of months but the wait was worth it. I realized going in that I was not buying a off-the-shelf piece of gear, but one that was custom made for me. Yes I had to endure a couple of Audio Shows and back log and etc... but hey he's just one guy! Every time we spoke on the phone I he gave me the confidence I needed that this amp was going to be done "right" and was always careful to set my expectations accordingly.
Thanks Klaus for an awesome product, and great customer support! I hope you are still around in 10 year to have my caps replaced :D [size=78%] [/size]