[Cayenne]

I have been wondering what experiences have been with McAlister Audio.  I have read most of the threads here on AC and based on the testimonies and experiences I purchased a customized version of the PL-10 preamp and a pair of MB-130 monoblock amplifiers.  However, I haven’t yet been able to listen to the amps since they arrived damaged twice and the replacement pair has not shipped.  Actually, Mr. McAlister has not returned my emails or called me with any information for four weeks now and his phone has been disconnected.

I purchased the preamp and amps in September of last year with a shipping date of four weeks and it only took four months before I was told they were ready to ship.  This was only after many calls and emails on my part.

So I received the preamp and amps during the fifth month of waiting.  But the amps arrived damaged.  They suffered abuse due to inadequate packing and the wires to the tubes were frayed/broken and the workmanship was incomplete.  Screws were missing, panels did not align, specifications were not completed.  So back they went with the promise of a two week turn around and shipping reimbursement.

Fast forward to this past July, ten months later and still no amps (Another five months had past with un-kept promises.). Again communication concerning their where abouts and shipping was initiated by me.

Finally the amps arrive in July but they’re broken again.  The transformer of one amp is floating freely within its housing.  A call to Mr. McAlister has me removing the bottom of the amp to look for the transformer wires and connections to make sure they are intact.  Of course they are not.  One of the wires was free, not connected to anything.  So back on went the bottom plate and out went a call to Mr. McAlister who promised not only to send a check for the shipping I paid previously but a promise to send tracking numbers for a new set of amps the following Wednesday.  Nothing followed.

It’s been four weeks now and still no emails from Mr. McAlister and his phone is disconnected.  I’m not sure what to do at this point.  I have been patiently waiting and in the past have told Mr. McAlister not to rush but to please keep me informed.  Each time he said he would contact me in a few days, which he never did, and the amps would ship in about a week.

I have to admit part of my patience stemmed from my inability to set up my system since I moved in June and part due to the preamp’s sound being impressive and part since I understand he runs a small business. Also I was holding out for the amps but this has gone on too long.

Is Mr. McAlister still in business?  Is there a way to reach him?

Thanks

***Edit 8/20/07***

I spoke with Mr. McAlister today.  His phone is working and has been the whole time.  An error on my part led me to believe his phone was not working.  I transposed the last two digits of his number atleast six times when trying to dial it.       At this point all seems to be good.  The amps will be shipping tomorrow so I should have them in a couple of weeks.  (Customs always holds up shipping for atleast a week.)  Anyhow, I just wanted to post my error in all of this since that is what spooked me look for assistance/input.

So everyone knows, Mr. McAlister has always been cordial and helpful.  He, as others have stated before, just seems to get behind on his orders and has some other small business issues.  But he has been trying to get this all squared away, so hopefully the amps arrive safely and my next post will be a review.

Thanks

[Rafal]

Sorry to hear abot your troubles.
I have hade a very positive expierience when buying my PP150. Peter was very wiling to chat and interested in discussing the details of the build with me at length. The phone # shown on his website worked fine and the amp arrived in about 4 weeks from the order. I am very pleased with the sound and I believe Peter is working on improving the cosmetics.

I have also read stories of timeliness issues in the past, but in my expierience (especially considering that the amp is built to order) the timing has greatly improved.

I may be even in the market for Peter's pre-amp once the remote control becomes available. I am prett sure Peter is still very much in business.

Cheers,

Rafal

[MKOM]

With all do respect....Sorry guys, but WRONG VENUE for this.

Cheers,

MKOM   

[halo]

With all do respect....Sorry guys, but WRONG VENUE for this.

Cheers,

MKOM   

Where would you prefer it? That info, instead of would be more helpful.

I've dealt with McAlister and, unfortunately, it's all been a similar experience for me. I'm sorry to hear that he still hasn't gotten any better and that you're having a tuff time Cayenne.

Based on my experiences it sounds like par for the course with Mr. McAlister.

I feel that Peter is severely lacking in communication skills and I experienced the same empty promises from him that you've experienced.

I ordered an amp from McAlister Audio on 11-05. It was "completed" by 4-06. 5 months to build an amp is ridiculous IMO.

Time after time I told McAlister exactly what I wanted and, after all that time, he got it wrong.  I insisted that he send me a picture of the final product before shipping and it had none of the specifications I'd requested.

Instead of making changes to that amp (which would've been easy since it was just cosmetic) he "fast tracked" building another PP150. Second attempt (with me in his ear constantly) he got it 80% correct. I'd been waiting so long I figured it was good enough (which I shouldn't have done since it wasn't 100% correct).

When I took delivery of said amp I was disappointed to see that all of our conversations about improving his packing went in one ear and straight out the other. He shipped it in a fruit box, wrapped in a black garbage bag, with a few bags of foam peanuts inside. The amp arrived damaged. Amazingly it was nothing cosmetic (although I was disappointed with the fit & finish of his "new" amp design).

The damage may not have been from shipping at all actually. More than likely it was just poor execution on the part of McAlister - One tube socket never worked properly. Seems I'm not the only one: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=36546.0 After six months of attempted repairs that never fixed the problem and numerous requests by me for a refund he finally granted one by 1-08.

I think Peter is a helluva nice guy but he is a piss poor business man. While I don't doubt his design and I find him to be personable (when you can get a hold of him) and knowledgeable - his execution, inconsistency's, poor packaging, customer service, and communication skills are deplorable.

I have only two email adresses for McAlister:

peter.mcalister@sympatico.ca

info@mcalisteraudio.com

The only phone # I have is:

1-705-737-9269

Maybe you should take a trip to his place. I was tempted many many times myself.

Hope it works out for the best.

[halo]

Just got a reply frome Peter:

"Hi,
 
Hope everything is going well for you. I have been away on a short vacation."

Hope you can reach him now 

[Rocket_Ronny]

I just talked with him the other day on the phone. Still in business.

What I think he is having is growing pains. He hired some people, so he is not the only guy building. There is where new problems can arise.

Right now he is still quite backordered and really wants to meet production.

I guess the best way to avoid all that trouble is to just buy a used one, if you can find one that is. Very hard to find. I do have my SE-44 Set amp for sale, as I need a bit more power. So I plan to get the PP-150. Then I will be like the rest of you guys waiting in line.

Hope you get your mono's soon.

Rocket_Ronny

[Rafal]

Hi Ronny,

I just got a PP150 and I really like it. I run it with Von Schweikert VR-2s and It sounds like a good combo. It is  big, substential amp though. Just the PS is about 3 times bigger than my other amp (gainclone).

Cheers,

Rafal

[zybar]

My PP150 + PS weigh about 60 lbs.

Why do I know this?

Because I unfortunately had to just send my amp back to Canada for repair work.

All of a sudden my left channel stopped producing any music and it wasn't because of bad tubes.

In my limited experiences with Peter he has been very good in terms of communication and support.  Hopefully, there will be  quick turnaround in terms of identifying the problem and fixing it. 

Once I get a fully working amp back, I will finally be able to comment on its sonic merits.

George

[zybar]

My PP150 + PS weigh about 60 lbs.

Why do I know this?

Because I unfortunately had to just send my amp back to Canada for repair work.

All of a sudden my left channel stopped producing any music and it wasn't because of bad tubes.

In my limited experiences with Peter he has been very good in terms of communication and support.  Hopefully, there will be  quick turnaround in terms of identifying the problem and fixing it. 

Once I get a fully working amp back, I will finally be able to comment on its sonic merits.

George

Just wanted to say that my communications with Peter continue to be timely and positive.

George

[Cayenne]

Thanks everyone for the input.  I finally received an email a few days ago saying my monos would be shipping the following day.  So I'll wait and see when and what the Post Office brings me (no tracking information yet).

I really hope the wait has been worth it.  I do like the preamp he built for me and have enjoyed talking with him about various aspects of tube amps.

[Frihed91]

I have been there before.

I have posted my problems with the construction of the preamp and amp that were made for me by McAlister Audio in a factual way somewhere on this board.  I think I have fixed all the problems, caused by sloopy construction, but it has not been cheap.  Both units sound very good, but the experience of waiting for 6 months + the construction mistakes + the "stories" + the cost of fixing everything has made for what can best be described as a major downer.  I did learn some valuable lessons that will hopefully prevent repeat performances.  Maybe you can also benefit from the experience in a positive way.

[zybar]

Further update on my positive experience with Peter...

I had to send my amp to Peter for repair work and it has been a very pleasant experience.

As soon as my amp arrived (Friday), I received an e-mail from Peter telling me that he was going to look at the amp and he promised a very fast turnaround time.

Within one day of receiving the amp, he had diagnosed what the issue was!!  He also performed a couple of small "upgrades" as well since this was an older amp.

In case you didn't catch, Peter worked on things over the weekend!!

So Peter diagnosed, fixed, and upgraded my unit over the weekend and shipped my amp back on Monday.

While I know others have had some issues, I can say that I can't ask for better customer service than what I received from Peter. 

Now I will finally get to hear what the amp sounds like...stay tuned.

George