Where to begin...My first AVA purchase was a modified Dyna FM5 (the version that used the original cards). Later I upgraded to the version that had AVA’s original circuits in it. People would walk into the roomand ask me what record I was playing. They were always quite surprised when I told them that it was FM. To this day I have never heard another tuner that came close to it.
I also owned a rebuilt SCA-80, a DIY Replacement power supply for the Hafler DH 200, a PAS4i preamp kit which fed a Delta 260 power amp, and a Versa-Kit line buffer.
I would like to tell a couple stories that I think reflect on how Frank has always done business.
My Delta 260 had a hum. I called Frank and he said send it up. He could not replicate the problem, but, even though my unit was just out of warranty, he replaced the power transformer at no cost other than shipping and sent it back. Who does that?
Years later, when the Humdinger was introduced, I came to the belief that my system had DC on the powerlines and that the humdinger, had it existed at the time, would’ve solved the problem. But he gave me the benefit of the doubt.
Another thing that caught my eye was late in the production run of the Super 70 or Ultravalve (I forget which). Frank announced a price cut because he was able to source some parts (transformers IIRC) more cost-effectively. I wager that most manufacturers would have kept quiet and pocketed the difference. Instead, Frank announced the cost savingsand that he was passing along the price reduction to his customers. I think he simply wanted more people to be able to own and enjoy his equipment. Again, who does that?
Let’s also not forget Frank has always been a strong advocate for ethical business practices, shunning magic capacitors, power cords and such.
The most interesting thing about AVA though was how they sourced some of their parts in the early days- specifically the hardware. They simply gutted the Dynaco (and later Hafler) enclosures that lots of people started out with and were in many closets (or, often, still in use). Complete new circuit designs replaced them. These were not 'mods'. This saved a lot of people a lot of money, mechanical parts being way more of the cost than most people realize.
I got to meet Frank one day at a Capital Audiofest. It was a privilege. Best wishes for your future Frank; thanks for all the music.
