All turntables produceded since end of 2002 come with a square rubber belt and a pully with the right groove for this belt.
Otto |
So the belt must be better?? Can I modify my final tool? Mike |
Blueranger,
Did you ever get a useful response about upgrading the belt on your Final Tool? From Otto's comments, it seems that the pully might need alteration!?
Dgob |
Yeah Otto emailed me. Can be upgraded. |
Hy Folks,
all AS turntables can be upgraded to the newest motors or electronics. Also old ones can use the new belt when the motorpully is changed. But we request to upgrade the motor to the new nearly vibration free model.
Otto |
Hi Otto,
Many thanks for this information. I've had my motorpulley since 2005, would that be the same as the 'new nearly vibration free model'?
Dgob |
I am considering a Mambo. What do you guys think would be a good choice for a tonearm? Should I step up to the MK III and go with a lesser arm or a better arm and Mambo? |
Go for the Mambo with better arm. It is agreat table. I used to own one and miss some of its qualities.
I had a triplanar on mine and it worked great, but arm should really be chosen in the context of the cartridge. |
My recommendation is that you go for the Mambo and a good tonearm. I agree with Aoliviero, You should match a cartridge to the tonearm.
The Mambo is a fantastic turntable and it deserves to be paired with the best components. I've gotten excellent results with the Dyna combo.
Best,
iSanchez
|
Flyski,
I agree. Best tonearm/cartridge match that you can find. The Mambo (and you) deserves it.
Cheers
Dgob |
Dear Otto,
You promised me to return a money for Manfred XL version and as compensation send me linings of antiresonances and two spare belts. I got nothing until now. Tell me, please, when?? |
I have had a very bad customer service experience with Gunther of Acoustic Signature. The power supply stopped working, I contacted him on Jan 21st, he said he would arrange for shipping back to Germany for repair. It was finally picked up on Feb 18th, there was some confusion the day after it was picked up, UPS called and said there was paper work needing completion, I had to supply the value of the power supply. I should have contacted Gunther and asked him what to do but prior to this he had been very slow to respond to emails, said he was away in Japan. I told UPS the value was $800 and sent Gunther an email telling him this and asking if he was arranging for shipment, why didnt he take care of everything. His reply was "this will complicate things, $800 will cost a lot of import duty, we will see what happens". That was the last I heard from him until I contacted the new US distributor (KT Audio Imports) on April 1st. That week Gunther sent me an email saying your Alpha is on the way back to you, shipped by German mail. I have sent him emails since then and received no response. And of course I never received the power supply. I have a great turntable but no way to use it. |
Jeff,
Did you seek to contact Otto? My experience was similar to yours with the Alpha but once I got a new one I have not had any problems and it is performing like an angel (touch wood).
Maybe Aramis2007 can give you another positive perspective following his above complaint!?
All the best and do let us know how it works out |
Yes my first inquiry was to the email address Otto gave in his reply to this post back on 12-22-08. But Gunther replied and all further correspondence was with him. If I had given UPS a much lower value things may have worked out. The circumstances were that the power supply was picked up at my wifes office for convenience purposes. The day of or a day after pick up UPS called her wanting the value of the item shipped. She called me at work and I was busy, didnt think and just guessed what the power supply might cost and said $800. Should have said $100. Ive since found out from Tom at KT Audio Imports a new power supply will cost me considerably more. The sad part is Tom told me he could have repaired it right here in Anaheim CA. Gunther never even asked me to send him any money. In his first email he quoted an estimate for shipping and repairs. If he had sent a message stating that he had to pay import duty when the power supply was delivered to him, and it was delivered since the tracking indicated that, I would have paid the duty plus repair and shipping cost. Also in my second message to him I mentioned I was interested in a second arm base, and he replied with some details about that. So I really dont understand why he just disappeared and didnt send back the power supply, either repaired or unrepaired. Id be thrilled to get it back unrepaired. |
Jeff,
Financial issues apart, it seems to me that the property remains yours and Gunther is obliged to return it (as you say, repaired or unrepaired). I would continue to press as I know that Gunther is often tied up in the actual production and technical aspects of operations. That sadly meant that he was slow to respond on several occassions with myself. I had thought/hoped that this had been addressed with Otto taking over key responsibilities!? Maybe you can contact them and/or press your case through your local AS representative/importer?
Regarding the armboard, I must admit that I wanted a spare armboard but ran into too many issues with the official UK importer to continue pursuing this. I hope you have better luck.
All of this shoddy customer support seems to me to be damaging what should be a blue chip company, with phenomenal products. Keep us posted and good luck |
Jeff_ss, thanks for posting that KT imports can repair the power supply should the need arise. That's one aspect of owning the Final Tool that worries me a bit. As an aside, I'll mention that Gunther gave me fabulous service when I wanted a new motor upgrade. He brought it with him to CES in Vegas and shipped it from the US to save me money on shipping. I hope that things work out soon for you. |
Dgob you're right and I have felt all along that it should be returned to me for a reasonable cost of repair and shipping. Or if it isn't repaired just send it back as is. Its possible Gunther hasn't received any of my emails. After the first or second one sent to him he mentioned my emails were going into his trash. One of my reasons for contributing to this thread is my hope he or Otto will notice this discussion and get in touch with me. |
I first posted in this thread 1.5 years ago, and I can't believe it's still active. I ultimately received very good service from Otto, although I must caution that there are a couple of addresses used by Acoustic Signature, and they are very particular about which one you send items to be repaired to because it affects their import duties. That issue aside, it seems at best incongruous that a company making some of the best turntables around (the very best for the money?) is plagued by such service issues. |
Klinerm, I agree they are very very good tables. I will continue to use mine even if I have to buy a new power supply. Do you know how I can contact Otto? I really want to purchase a second armboard but am nervous about sending money for one. Heck, I probably can't get in touch with them anyway given the many emails sent with no response lately. |
Sorry, no additional ideas come to mind. I never tried phoning them, although i guess that would be an option. Otto was very responsive to emails about a year ago, seemed to want to undo all the bad p.r. Gunter had generated. Hope they can eventually get it all together, for everyone's sake. Good luck. |
Thanks for the kind words. I'm on vacation for two weeks so don't need to think about it, and I've gotten used to listening to digital over the last 5 months. Expect to buy a new power supply before the end of the year if necessary. The money could have gone to a second arm base which is what bothers me the most. But, so it goes. |
It looks like Otto came through for me. Ive never corresponded with him and today out of the blue I received his email saying the power supply is repaired and shipped by UPS Express. He provided a tracking number which shows on the UPS site that the package has been picked up. He attached an invoice saying the rectifier, fuse and all 4 output transistors were replaced for what seems to me a reasonable price of 69 euros. He wants me to pay that plus shipping both ways which Im happy to do. After I receive the unit :^)
Thanks otto! |
Jeff_ss,
I am truly pleased to hear it. As we've all said, they make fantastic turntables and with this added care over customer service, can only go from strength t strength.
Well done AS, well done Otto!
Enjoy |
Reviving this old thread to add my problem with Acoustic Signature''s customer service.
On January 7th, I sent around $50 by Paypal for a belt. I received one reply on March 14th from Gunther, stating he had made a mistake, and would send the belt that day. I have heard nothing from him since, after many emails.
I have enjoyed his table and have no problems with the table. In fact, I was inquiring about upgrading motors, but I will not be pursuing that any further with Acoustic Signature. |
Acman3,
I'm sad to hear that but do understand your decision. I ended up selling my AS!
As always... |
I too had a long ordeal with Gunther. |
Dear Isanchez: Did you try it with a silk thread?
Regards and enjoy the music,
R. |
Curious if all users of Acoustic Signature are happy with their bearings. Mine collapsed, platter was shipped to Germany and it came back with a new spindle and sleeve. It is noisy as hell. One can easily hear it a meter or two away. Gunther claims it will run in but so far there has been no improvement. Spindle surface looks horrible. Among the 30+ decks i've owned there hasn't been a single one with such a poorly made bearing. Unless of course it is defective. |
Analog_sa, sorry to hear about you're bearing problem. I have had no problem with my bearing, but your report is making me wonder about this table. I am surprised Gunther will even answer your email. Keep us informed of the progress, or lack of progress, of you're bearing. Maybe, it will run in, but sounds fishy, at least to me. Maybe someone here, with more knowledge, can help with the problem.
My spindle is OK. so maybe yours is defective.
Which table do you own, and how old is it? |
