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Luminous Audio: Are They Still In Business?

Hello: After doing some research, I decided to purchase a passive preamp from Luminous Audio.

I understand there is a customized aspect to tailoring the preamp to individual systems, but 24 hrs after ordering, and sending in multiple messages detailing my particular modifications, (There were no price adjustments for modifications like balanced XLR, better quality resistor, etc. in a drop down menu on eBay) I have heard no response at all. It will cost a bit more and I wanted help in figuring out how to bill for the additional amount. My payments have been deducted from my bank balance or pending. So payment isn't an issue.

Anyway, I also called the Richmond, Va. number and there is nothing but voicemail. The Facebook and Twitter pages haven't been updated, apparently in a year or more.

I do see completed sales within the last month or two. 

Also, many businesses now keep different hours or have scaled-down operations due to COVID.

Maybe I'm just jumping the gun, but being used to ordering various items through Amazon and Newegg, and even most eBay purchases, I get some sort of acknowledgment. eBay has confirmed the order, but nothing acknowledged except that I bought the item.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/130678286565

 
 
samtheman57
7 responses Add your response
vinylcat
33 posts
 
Sorry to hear about your experience with Luminous and Tim...
I hope your new pre works out well.

I've been dealing with Tim for >20 yrs now, and he's never been anything but responsive and a great audio guy.  All my speaker cables and my primary power cables and IC's are Luminous.  I also have a Luminous Audio AXIOM III Passive Pre (full size unit...he built a few several years ago) that he brought by for demo and I ended up buying it.  Fantastic products.  (And i just picked up a new Parasound A21+ from him yesterday...)
samtheman57 OP
4 posts
 
Khozmo. Furnish him with your system parameters (input and output impedance, speaker sensitivity, amplifier gain) , and he will design a solution for you. Wonderfully built, affordable, astonishingly transparent. It took a long while to dislodge my Slagle/Intact Audio autoformers, but the Khozmo is better.


I’m pleased to say that my new Khozmo Acoustic Passive Pre is now streaming music and burning in nicely. As palasr noted, all the above is true:  AMAZING build quality, balanced listening is dramatically different, and most importantly, Arek responded to all communications within minutes, I was never left hanging. Communication is EVERYTHING. WELL worth it.

Post removed 
palasr
526 posts
 
Khozmo.  Furnish him with your system parameters (input and output impedance, speaker sensitivity, amplifier gain) , and he will design a solution for you.  Wonderfully built, affordable, astonishingly transparent.  It took a long while to dislodge my Slagle/Intact Audio autoformers, but the Khozmo is better.
samtheman57 OP
4 posts
 
An update:

After many frustrating weeks, not hearing any updates on an ETA  from Tim at Luminous Audio for delivery of the Axiom, or literally, ANY acknowledgment of my multiple communications, I had to elevate my status on eBay to product not received. 

First, he said he didn't get my messages on speaker efficiency and amps (although the correspondence with the needed info showed up on my end) after almost two weeks, then, when eBay required him to ship the product after promising to resolve the issue, they refunded my money. Apparently, the reason for no communication was that Tim was ill in the hospital and his partner was busy closing on a house. He promised to ship this week but missed the deadline. 

So, looking for a similar passive preamp with XLR ins and outs. It might be easier to go with a cheaper Schitt, as I invested in a Furutech AC wall socket and NCF clear line powerline filter with amazing results. Around 300 to spend.
samtheman57 OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for the response.

Yeah, thought that could possibly be part of the reason. I guess most of the anxiety was triggered by the fact that the very XLR cables I ordered for the preamp/system, through Amazon were "delivered" today.

Except (in a locked mailbox) all that was there was an empty envelope with a torn open seal. How USPS could have delivered an envelope without any contents is beyond my comprehension. Amazon is replacing the items.
jbs
92 posts
 
It is a Holiday weekend so I would not fret. Also you can order direct from their website and I see the various options (XLR etc). I think on ebay you just send xtra funds for options and include in your note exactly what the options were you paid for. Bit cumbersome for sure. 
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