[oneinthepipe]

I too, echo bmckenney about stating the options on the website info pages. I didn't know about the double phono boards option until I read the forum. Also many other small changes, prices, dyna fm5 upgrade were announced here, and nowhere to be found on the equipment info pages. Almost like keeping it for the private club members.

Maybe there are reasons why options aren't published on the web pages.

Bryan

I just want to know about the secret audio society (reference to which was deleted). 

Actually, I think that Frank is just trying to accommodate special requests.  If you want something special or different, ask Frank.  He always tries to help his customers.  I don't think he is a mind reader, however, but he is only a telephone call or email away.  You won't find a more knowledgeable or helpful person. 

[martyo]

I too, echo bmckenney about stating the options on the website info pages. I didn't know about the double phono boards option until I read the forum. Also many other small changes, prices, dyna fm5 upgrade were announced here, and nowhere to be found on the equipment info pages. Almost like keeping it for the private club members.

Maybe there are reasons why options aren't published on the web pages.

Bryan

I just want to know about the secret audio society (reference to which was deleted). 

Actually, I think that Frank is just trying to accommodate special requests.  If you want something special or different, ask Frank.  He always tries to help his customers.  I don't think he is a mind reader, however, but he is only a telephone call or email away.  You won't find a more knowledgeable or helpful person. 

What is does say on the website is to let him know what you want if you don't see it. That pretty much covers it all. ANY time I have called, Frank answers the phone. Frank is the most accomadating owner/operator/businessman I've encountered (along w/Jim Salk), but as "one" already said, he ain't no mind reader. 

[bmckenney]

What is does say on the website is to let him know what you want if you don't see it. That pretty much covers it all. ANY time I have called, Frank answers the phone. Frank is the most accomadating owner/operator/businessman I've encountered (along w/Jim Salk), but as "one" already said, he ain't no mind reader. 

Where does is indicate to ask for something if you don't see it?  I havent noticed that before.

Agreed on Frank being very accommodating.  It's been my experience in the few years I've been a customer of Franks that his business and service and products are excellant.  Especially like that Insight preamp I had and I am looking forward to the T8 I'm getting.

Bryan

[martyo]

Hi Bryan,

I quess this is the actual quote

Our clients get our ongoing expert consultation and guidance. Most of your questions are answered in this catalog, but of course if you call us we will take the time to listen and give you the best guidance we can. You get to talk to a real person, not an electronic switchboard.

And this is the quote I quoted but it is regarding used equipment
 

If you don't see what you are looking for in the list below, please call us at 651-330-9871 or send us a note and let us know what you want so we can try to match our incoming units to potential buyers.

Sorry for the confusion. However, I do read the first quote as an invitation. I've only been here a few years too, but somehow I've always had the idea that Frank would build your gear whatever way you wanted if feasible and within economic reason. 

BTW, I'm sure happy with my T8

[rcag_ils]

Marty, you are only quoting bits and pieces from various pages.

I am sure there was nowhere mentioned about the double-die transistors until you read it here first, then it got added to the web pages.

The fm5 mod is not on any web page, if you don't read the forum, you are SOL.

The dual phono board option is not on any web page neither, if you don't read the forum, you are also SOL. I don't read this forum on a daily basis.

Are we supposed to come up with something totally new then call and ask about it? If something that's no on the web pages, we assume that it's not available, unless you call Frank regularly and chat with him often, that also not necessarily that he will volunteer any new information to you before you make a purchase. Everytime I called Frank, he always sounded busy, and couldn't wait to get off the phone, and I am sure that he was busy.

[Wayner]

I'm sure it's difficult to keep the web page up to date with every little option (special) that someone may want. Most of this is customer driven (which it should be), but do you devote space on the website 'cause one person asked for it?

I guess it's like if you want something not listed on the sebsite, ask Frank. He'll either say yes we can or no we can't.

Wayner 

[rcag_ils]

Well, no one asked about the double-die transistors, we didn't even know, at least I didn't, know about their existence, we are not that smart.

If I remember correctly someone did ask about the fm5 upgrade,  I don't think anyone asked about the double phono boards. The fact is not everyone monitor this message board everyday, I only read it occasionly, I read it more often if I've come across a thread that's of interest.

Common consumers would just read the web pages, and it's not a good a feeling that after a purchase, only to find out you could have gotten the option that you want after your order's been shipped, just because you don't read the AVA Club message board.

[rcag_ils]

Another idea would be have Frank sign people up for his newsletter, Frank used to have the Audio Basic. Then he could keep reader informed about his upcoming new product, or mod, or whatever in his R&D department.

[oneinthepipe]

Another idea would be have Frank sign people up for his newsletter, Frank used to have the Audio Basic. Then he could keep reader informed about his upcoming new product, or mod, or whatever in his R&D department.

I think that AVA customers tend to be diligent researchers, but the electronic newsletter seems like a good idea, even if merely directed subscribers to a thread on the forum.  I do not know what goes in to maintaining a mailing list; maybe it takes a lot of time and effort.  However, a mailing list could generate increased interest in AVA products and/or piss off existing or potential customers whose mailboxes are already overloaded.  Still seems to be a viable idea.

[bmckenney]

I vote for a blurb each place where options are listed, like a comparison grid in the option column, that states clearly that there are other options available. Maybe even give an example such as an additional phono board for a preamp.  And to inquire for details.  But don't give specifics on these options, which would be a nightmare to maintain from a web content management point of view, and a pricing point of view.  This way customers will realize there are other options, and Frank doesn't have a maintenance nightmare.   That's my 1.2192 cents from Canada as of today.  I know that doesn't seem like much, but in Canada that would be a full 2 cents worth.

Bryan

[martyo]

Common consumers would just read the web pages, and it's not a good a feeling that after a purchase, only to find out you could have gotten the option that you want after your order's been shipped, just because you don't read the AVA Club message board.

I would be disappointed too. And let me apologize for my quick trigger. I have a beautiful 22 year old daughter away at school. When her desired results for something come out different than she hoped it's often because of her false assumptions, then the victim card gets played. So when I saw the secret club crap I inappropriately reacted. Again I apologize.

I am sure there was nowhere mentioned about the double-die transistors until you read it here first, then it got added to the web pages.

and

Well, no one asked about the double-die transistors, we didn't even know, at least I didn't, know about their existence, we are not that smart

No, I didn't know either. That all came about from emails and phone calls. I even have all the emails in a separate folder in my mail. The whole process took 4-5 weeks. It was because I took my needs to Frank and he went to work.

Just my thoughts, there is the internet now, one doesn't need to waste paper etc. in a monthly or quarterly newsletter that would already be dated when received, it happens instantly here on the Circle. One can come in and read it whenever they choose. You can set up to be notified on your regular email of AC Pm's, or new posts in a thread you are following............

Are we supposed to come up with something totally new then call and ask about it? If something that's no on the web pages, we assume that it's not available, unless you call Frank regularly and chat with him often, that also not necessarily that he will volunteer any new information to you before you make a purchase. Everytime I called Frank, he always sounded busy, and couldn't wait to get off the phone, and I am sure that he was busy.

And here we have the assumptions including he "couldn't wait to get off the phone", and not volunteering information until after a sale. Whenever there are multiple options for a clients situation Frank will invariably recomment the least expensive, it's the way he is.

Again I'd be dissapointed too. With my T8, the volumn adjustment clicks, my 3i didn't. I'd prefer no clicks. Frank will build it that way, I didn't know, but I, me, didn't ask. I should've asked.

That's way over my 2 cents..............over and out

You just can't shut me up-I also follow the Salk Circle and Jim does the same thing, speakers in a different cabinet or alternate drivers or ports in the front or side or even just last week  speakers that are not on the website, only talked about in his circle. It's one of the benefits of a small company, customized for the individual and you can talk to "the man".

[Listens2tubes]

I have wanted to add a set of MC jacks to my T8 using the Ortofon T-5 transformers(also marketed by Sony as HA-T10). These are the mini 2 1/8" tip to tip (female RCA- transformer-mail RCA) that gives a 26dB boost to the .26 mV of my Karat. That's 66 dB of gain from the T8 which sounds sweet. That said, with this much gain you want all your ducks in a row. So why have all those connections? With the transformers wired into the preamp my Cardas tonearm wire would actually go from cartridge clips to phono stage. Not passing through two extra hot and GROUNDS to get to the T8. Am I getting too wordy? Sorry, just thought I'd get this thread back on track.


 

[jrtrent]

Actually, I think that Frank is just trying to accommodate special requests.  If you want something special or different, ask Frank.  He always tries to help his customers.  I don't think he is a mind reader, however, but he is only a telephone call or email away.  You won't find a more knowledgeable or helpful person. 

Ain't that the truth!  I heard about the extra phono board option from Mr. Van Alstine a long time ago on the phone by simply telling him my needs.  The nice thing about AVA is that if there's an option you didn't know about, or didn't want to purchase at the time, it's simple to send it back and get what you want later.

Aside to Martyo, I love the click-stepped volume control and wouldn't want to live without it after trying it.  Isn't it nice to have choices?

[martyo]

Aside to Martyo, I love the click-stepped volume control and wouldn't want to live without it after trying it.  Isn't it nice to have choices?

The click-stepped volume sure feels better and top-quality, and I'd bet it is superior to the one on the S3i. At 58 I'm still a rebel and I don't want anyone telling me this is where I have to stop.  If I want 17-3/4% of the way between 2 clicks I want it. 

[Dan Kolton]

When I asked Frank about the tuner output upgrade, he didn't know either whether it could be done.  I took photos of the boards, but he still couldn't tell, so I had to send him the tuner (FM5).  It sure was worth the trouble, because it came out so good that Frank had to look for one for himself.  I hope nobody would have expected him to say on his website that he might be able to upgrade your tuner if you'd send it in to find out.  I'd think a conversation with the man would be mandatory.

[avahifi]

The volume controls on the SP3i and the newer preamps are identical.  The only difference is that the click stop detent spring has failed on the SP3i, or perhaps was deliberately removed here at a customer's request.  The failure mode was that the guy at Nobel installing the spring did a bad job of riveting them into the control body in the first place, so the vibrations of use caused them to work loose after a few years of service.

Our fix, once we were aware of the failure mode, was to take every single one apart here before initial installation and re-hammer the rivet stops to make sure they would never come apart.  Of course if requested, we could remove the spring completely, to eliminate the click stop feel.  Note that the ones with click stops can be set "in between click" for finer adjustment if desired.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

P.S.  If you need some special feature, don't be afraid to ask us and we will do it if it can be done cost effectively.  Of course things like "can you add a midrange control knob too" are kind of impossible as it takes a lot more than a new knob to accomplish this.  Do note that building a unit outside of our normal published price and option schedule put the unit into the "special order" category and we cannot offer a satisfaction guarantee on "one off" special orders.

[turkey]

victim card gets played. So when I saw the secret club crap I inappropriately reacted. Again I apologize.

It just made me think Rusty was back...

[turkey]

Everytime I called Frank, he always sounded busy, and couldn't wait to get off the phone, and I am sure that he was busy.

I have never felt this way when I have called AVA, and that's been over the last 2 1/2 decades...

Frank has always been exceedingly generous with his time. (With customers and non-customers alike.)