Some very sad news

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AJinFLA

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #60 on: 3 Feb 2025, 05:28 pm »
RIP Frank

dB Cooper

Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #61 on: 3 Feb 2025, 08:31 pm »
Had many pieces of AVA gear- Dyna rebuilds, Hafler rebuilds, AVA originals. Built one of his hybrid preamps from a kit. Met hiim at Capital Audiofest once. One of the greats. Bleaasings to the Van Alstine family and all who knew him.

drmike

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #62 on: 3 Feb 2025, 08:56 pm »
rip frank.   you modified my hafler 200 and my dynaco 400 that i still enjoy today. you are a shooting star!

gene9p

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #63 on: 4 Feb 2025, 12:03 am »
I am so sad and stunned ...RIP...and thank you.

AllanS

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #64 on: 4 Feb 2025, 03:24 am »
Thank you for sharing the news Mary.  My deepest sympathies to you and all those who were closest to Frank.  We never met but I knew him through those who did as a humble and genuine person that the world will miss.

1965

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #65 on: 4 Feb 2025, 05:32 am »
I called AVA twice in the last 20 years. Frank answered the phone both times. I know many go way further back than I do with him and the company. Frank was a gem. My condolences to Mary, Mithat and all at the company who knew him better than we did. I wish you all well.

rcag_ils

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #66 on: 4 Feb 2025, 07:25 am »
I am saddened, but not shocked since it's inevitable for all of us. I heard about Frank's company back in 1990, as an Heathkit builder back in the days, I was most impressed by the photos of the amps and preamps in Frank's catalog that they all had their covers off to show what was inside. But not until about 2004 when I bought Frank's shop unit that he used for testing, it was a SuperPas 4 and it outperformed everything that I had. I met Frank about 5 maybe 6 times in the past twenty years or so, mainly stopping by to pick up amp and parts that I purchased from him or had him to do a quick check out on the amp I bought. I still have the "one off" SuperPas 3 preamp with a regulated B+ power supply that Frank put in, he said it was his experimental unit to find out how much improvement a regulated power supply could have in the SuperPas 3, then Frank decided that there wasn't enough real state in the chassis, and wouldn't be cost effective to put a regulated power supply in every stage of the SuperPas 3, not to mention to re-write a whole new instruction for the kit. Then Frank helped me to install the newest (at the time) audio buffer boards in the "one off" SuperPas 3 to further the improvement. Frank was truly an audio guru. Frank, thank you for all the joy you have brought us, and RIP.

DeeCee

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #67 on: 4 Feb 2025, 01:21 pm »
Although I’ve never purchased his equipment, it’s always sad to hear of such a loss to our audio community. RIP.

- DeeCee

veloceleste

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #68 on: 4 Feb 2025, 02:47 pm »
Condolences to family, friends and everyone at AVA. I purchased a a used SET120 Control amp from a private seller that arrived with some undisclosed issues. I was the third owner so technically no warranty coverage but Frank not only extended the warranty to the original warranty expiration date, AVA serviced the amp and returned it in a new shipping carton. Frank and AVA offered truly first class service and cared about their customers.

wjob

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #69 on: 5 Feb 2025, 06:25 pm »
Condolences to the AVA family.  Frank was one of the greats of our industry.

Honor him and support AVA as I just did - make a purchase from them!  Please spread the word to keep AVA an important part of our community.

Big Red Machine

Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #70 on: 6 Feb 2025, 02:51 am »

dlparker

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #71 on: 6 Feb 2025, 05:55 am »


What a great picture!

Thanks Big Red.

Mary

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #72 on: 6 Feb 2025, 01:14 pm »
I want to thank everyone for their condolences, kind words, memories, and support! All of us at AVA agree, Frank was one of a kind. He taught all of us so much. Not only did he have an amazing ear for quality sound, he was also a walking encyclopedia. All of us are honored that he choose us to help him get amazing, quality sound into so many homes at prices that are affordable. As we take the next few days to mourn and say our last goodbyes to "our legend", please be patient with us if we do not answer your phone calls or emails.

Frank cared about each and everyone of his customers and enjoyed talking with all of you! We intend to carry on Frank's business model and hope to make him proud.

Again, thank you all!

Mary

dlparker

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #73 on: 6 Feb 2025, 03:40 pm »
I want to thank everyone for their condolences, kind words, memories, and support! All of us at AVA agree, Frank was one of a kind. He taught all of us so much. Not only did he have an amazing ear for quality sound, he was also a walking encyclopedia. All of us are honored that he choose us to help him get amazing, quality sound into so many homes at prices that are affordable. As we take the next few days to mourn and say our last goodbyes to "our legend", please be patient with us if we do not answer your phone calls or emails.

Frank cared about each and everyone of his customers and enjoyed talking with all of you! We intend to carry on Frank's business model and hope to make him proud.

Again, thank you all!

Mary

I've only called AVA a few times, and Frank answered each time. Each time I was struck by how approachable, agreeable and helpful this industry legend was.

dlparker

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #74 on: 6 Feb 2025, 03:42 pm »
And we need to know the cat's name - I saved the pic and I need to change the name from "Frank_and_cat" to "Frank_and_..."

jandrews

Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #75 on: 6 Feb 2025, 04:20 pm »
I purchased my first AVA amp and preamp (SET 120 and RB10) from Frank in early 2022. Dealt with him directly and had a slight issue with the preamp and noise after I received it.  Frank made himself available to help me troubleshoot and then offered to have me send the unit back to him with all postage paid to take a look at it.   He made the adjustment quickly and sent it back to me with new tubes.   
Since then I've purchased a new NP1 from AVA and a used Ultravalve.  Looking forward to buying a DVA digital pre in the coming weeks.
RIP Frank and thank you.

danielgk

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #76 on: 6 Feb 2025, 05:57 pm »
That cat is Berkley.

Before Berkley there was Stanley.  Stanley was paired with Ollie, but Ollie past before I knew them.

Berkley was a pretty amazing cat.  He would play fetch for at least a few minutes at a time with you, returning his little puff ball and dropping it at your feet, then waiting for you to throw it again.  Only cat I ever knew that would do that.

Dan




TomBo

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #77 on: 6 Feb 2025, 06:30 pm »
An audiopheeline  - what a great photo with Frank! That's the same smile he had when he demo'd my amp and preamp to me in '89 at his Burnsville shop...

dlparker

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Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #78 on: 6 Feb 2025, 07:40 pm »
An audiopheeline  - what a great photo with Frank! That's the same smile he had when he demo'd my amp and preamp to me in '89 at his Burnsville shop...

Berkley is one fine lookin' cat.

He obviously had a significant role with the company:

"Yeah, whaddaya want? Can't you see I'm busy?!?"

dlparker

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  • Dave Parker - KC, MO
Re: Some very sad news
« Reply #79 on: 6 Feb 2025, 07:44 pm »
File renamed to "FrankAndBerkley.jpeg"

Thanks!