Melosaudiorestore
(Willard)
UNRESOLVED MELOS AUDIO DISPUTE:
My Melos Music Director preamp (last revision of the 333) was sent to MAR for repair of a faulty volume control in October 2000. Rather that repairing my Music Director, MAR switched my my preamp for an older design, the 333 Gold, which did not have the photo potentimeter volume control. The shocking part is that MAR pealed the serial number off the back of my Music Director and affixed it to the 333 Gold Reference that they sent in its place. They also charged me for a Solan capacitor upgrade along with other modifications which I did not ask for (I have all the original invoices if MAR is interested in copies). The unit that they sent also had several scratches on the faceplate and top panel. When I briefly listened to the 333 Gold that MAR substituted for my Music Director, the sound was dramatically inferior and unacceptible in comparison.
I called MAR to complain and Brant, the employee that always dealt with me, admitted to the switch but stated that it was an accidental mixup and that MAR still had my Music Director and would send it back to me. When I did get the original preamp back, the main circuit board had been switched for one that had very bad soldering work and the tube sockets in the main circuit board were dirty and had been damaged by a soldering iron. The volume control still did not work so the preamp was not repaired. Of interest was that I found that my serial number was mysteriously switched back to my unit. I called Brant and told him that I wanted my original Music Director circuit board back but he told me that MAR did not have another circuit board but would replace the damaged tube sockets in the main board for me. I had this done and MAR did refund my money for the upgrades that I did not ask for. It was only after that MAR switched my unit for the older design without the photo potentimeter that I was was told that the photo potentimeter could not be repaired since the photo cell which is necessary in the circuit had malfunctioned and could not be replaced aince it was no longer in manufactured.
I attempted to settle this issue with MAR back in 2000 but I was never able to get it resolved and was never allowed to talk with Will directly. At this time my preamp is still not repaired. I have taken it to several other repair shops but was told that it cannot be repaired since the photo cell is no longer made.
I believe that I was treated very poorly in 2000 that that MAR was not fully honest or ethical at that time. From replies on this Audiogon thread, it appears that MAR now practices better business ethics. If Will is indeed honest and sincere about providing his customers with quality service perhaps this can now be resolved and my preamp repaired to the original Music Director preamp specifications. It is really ashame since I did purchase this preamp new for $4300 but it is still sitting in my garage unrepaired at this time.
(Willard)
UNRESOLVED MELOS AUDIO DISPUTE:
My Melos Music Director preamp (last revision of the 333) was sent to MAR for repair of a faulty volume control in October 2000. Rather that repairing my Music Director, MAR switched my my preamp for an older design, the 333 Gold, which did not have the photo potentimeter volume control. The shocking part is that MAR pealed the serial number off the back of my Music Director and affixed it to the 333 Gold Reference that they sent in its place. They also charged me for a Solan capacitor upgrade along with other modifications which I did not ask for (I have all the original invoices if MAR is interested in copies). The unit that they sent also had several scratches on the faceplate and top panel. When I briefly listened to the 333 Gold that MAR substituted for my Music Director, the sound was dramatically inferior and unacceptible in comparison.
I called MAR to complain and Brant, the employee that always dealt with me, admitted to the switch but stated that it was an accidental mixup and that MAR still had my Music Director and would send it back to me. When I did get the original preamp back, the main circuit board had been switched for one that had very bad soldering work and the tube sockets in the main circuit board were dirty and had been damaged by a soldering iron. The volume control still did not work so the preamp was not repaired. Of interest was that I found that my serial number was mysteriously switched back to my unit. I called Brant and told him that I wanted my original Music Director circuit board back but he told me that MAR did not have another circuit board but would replace the damaged tube sockets in the main board for me. I had this done and MAR did refund my money for the upgrades that I did not ask for. It was only after that MAR switched my unit for the older design without the photo potentimeter that I was was told that the photo potentimeter could not be repaired since the photo cell which is necessary in the circuit had malfunctioned and could not be replaced aince it was no longer in manufactured.
I attempted to settle this issue with MAR back in 2000 but I was never able to get it resolved and was never allowed to talk with Will directly. At this time my preamp is still not repaired. I have taken it to several other repair shops but was told that it cannot be repaired since the photo cell is no longer made.
I believe that I was treated very poorly in 2000 that that MAR was not fully honest or ethical at that time. From replies on this Audiogon thread, it appears that MAR now practices better business ethics. If Will is indeed honest and sincere about providing his customers with quality service perhaps this can now be resolved and my preamp repaired to the original Music Director preamp specifications. It is really ashame since I did purchase this preamp new for $4300 but it is still sitting in my garage unrepaired at this time.