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Lounge Audio

I feel I should warn folks who have bought a Lounge Audio product or are thinking about buying one.

I own a Lounge Audio LCR MkIII Silver Ed. and Copla. I originally bought both units new about 5 years ago.

Around 2 yrs ago I sent the LCR MkIII in to be upgraded to the Silver Ed. and have a Mono switch installed.

I got it back in good time except the Mono switch was installed but not wired. I decided not to send it back in this instance as I could live without the mono switch and I could probably repair it myself sometime.

Not long after, one of the channels in the Copla went out. I called Robert and he said that it's more than likely an LED that went out and that he's since been using better/more reliable LED's in the unit. He said to send the unit in and he would get to it as soon as he could. I decided to send both units in so he could fix that mono switch in the LCR MkIII as well.

He did warn me that it may be some time before he got to it because he was swamped with orders. Apparently, the Copla received a minor positive review in Stereophile Magazine in Feb. just before I sent it in. To be fair, he doesn't charge for repairs for the life of the unit/s. That's a nice gesture but I think I would rather pay for the repair and get it done in a reasonable amount of time rather than have wait for months to get it done for free.

I'm coming up on five months now and haven't seen my units. I called him a couple months back and he basically said he would get to them soon and he didn't say he was having supply issues like some companies were having during the pandemic period. I'm not sure what his definition of 'soon' is but it's not the same as mine is all I can say.

He also said that because of the amount of interest in Lounge Audio since the review, he hasn't been answering emails because most people were just "fishing".

I sent him some texts but haven't received any replies. I also emailed him again because that's the only Contact info provided by the Lounge Audio website. I don't know if he's not answering his calls/texts or his number is not good anymore.

I've been using a MoFi Studio phono pre in what I thought would be a temporary situation. I've since pretty much given up and bought a Sutherland Insight last week.

Thanks in advance for reading my rant.

Perhaps some folks will think I'm being unreasonable but I can't recommend Lounge Audio in good conscience to anyone who wants to buy one of their products and then may have to send it in for repairs.
IMO no one should have to wait this long.
nicktheknife
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

I finally received my units.  It was over six months since I shipped to getting them back.  

The owner, Robert Morin finally contacted me and kept me informed.  I always thought he was a good guy and I like both the LCR  MkIII and the Copla.  

I wasn't just dissatisfied with the long wait,  I was under the impression it wouldn't  take over half a year to get my units back.  I was more miffed at the fact that I wasn't able to get him to answer my requests for some info on when I could expect my pieces back.  I had a unit go to Italy and back in less than a month and it wasn't under warranty.  

When you have to wait that long for a repair, the company should give you fair warning that it may take much longer than normal due to the current workload.  Robert did warn me that it would take a little longer than normal.  I sent the LCR MkIII in for the Silver upgrade and it was back in less than two weeks. What was I to expect when he said it may take a little longer than normal?  A month?  Six weeks?  Maybe.  Not over six months.  And, not without an explanation  on what is taking so long.  

In the end, it turned out well.  I bought another phono pre in the meantime and had a MoFi Studio phono pre to use when I first shipped the Lounge units out.  

If any of the Lounge units need to go in for repair again which I hope won't be necessary, I will know exactly what to expect.  And, hopefully others will too.

tryptich
3 posts
 

Can we at least post the CURRENT address to send repairable unit to?

Phone?

dewmonster's avatar
dewmonster
11 posts
 

I purchased the Copla, after being assured that the Hana 400 Ohm Cartridge I was purchasing wild work fine with the Copla, despite a 300 Ohm Max. Setting.

What I didn't expect is the Volume decrease as the Copla resistance setting wag increased.

I initially called to send it back within the time-frame of the Trial period. 

Before I could get that far he said I should send my MM Pre. In to him and her just simply turn up the gain. He said,  "No Cost, and only minutes to do,  how could I NOT go that route?

Well,  18 Months,  and 20 to 30 Actual hours of Phone time.  He talks about his Life in Audio.  Very Very Amiable. 

He gave he a hard time line TWICE. 

The last was "2 weeks" (8 weeks ago), with a call on the 3rd week,  saying it's be the end of THAT WEEK!

IDK what power I have at this point,  as He has my equipment,  and I have zero Leverage!

Haven't heard my 4000.00 investment in over a year and a half!

Super Frustrating!

 

I have Contacted Stereophile as well,  so they could consider his Class B rating due to his lack of timeliness and customer satisfaction.

Unfortunately,  I received no response there either.

This is the first time I've searched here,  to see I'm NOT alone in this Problem!

dewmonster's avatar
dewmonster
11 posts
 

I DO have an Update. 

After 18 months of trying to use my Hana SL Cartridge,  and having Robert attempt to turn the gain up on my other phone Pre-Amp, so I could utilize his SET, he couldn't due to power supply issues on the Competitors product. 

I was out shipping 2 ways for 2 attempts,  however due to the amount of Time, he decided to ship me his LCR in a new Beta version free of Charge. 

I just hooked it up last night and was literally laughing out loud at the Palpabilty of the performers. 

Best Sound out of my System in it's History of existence.

 

Was 18 months ridiculous?

Yes. 

Am I happy that It's in my Audio Room?

YES!!

 

Robert, is a great person and will talk your ear off.

He has no I'll intent,  but rather, is just trying to bite off more than one man can at this point!

He'll need to either hire an assistant, or the time will destroy what is a Great Brand.

lewm
13,108 posts
 

You have a 400 ohm Hana cartridge? And the lounge accepts input from MC cartridges with up to 300 ohm internal resistance?

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