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Transparent Audio is anything but Transparent

I bought a new tube amp. With its placement the right channels speaker cable is too short.  Out of impatience to reach the tube amp I bought a single 15 foot super old Music Wave Ultra MM at a reasonable price. It’s 25 years old and sounds great, so I decided to look for a newer 10/12 foot pair, and move that single to the center speaker.

I went to Transprent Audio’s website and it became apparent that I can’t afford new. I started a search for used. This is where the frustration with Transparent Audio began.

My mindset or expectations from Transparent stem from a 2022 letter that Transparent Audios’ president and CEO, Karen Sumner wrote on the “What’s Best Forum” titled “Preowned Transparent Opportunities.

The article opens with Karen writing, “With the introduction of Transparent Generation 6, there are a few more than usual Gen 5, MM2, and older Transparent Cables available through the pre-owned market that offer a lot of performance and value. I hope many of you will want to take advantage of this opportunity.

She makes it clear that with third party sales, “the warranty is not transferable. There will be a fee for recalibration and for any repairs or termination changes that might be necessary. Call 207-284-1100 or write to info@transparentcable.com for recalibration help and service. She never discourages third party sales. Quite the opposite. Karen closes the article with, quote, “Please feel free to ask me questions if you are considering purchasing some preowned Transparent.

So, in a nutshell she writes, “I hope many of you will want to take advantage of this opportunity, and “Please feel free to ask me questions if you are considering purchasing some preowned Transparent.”

But it’s all a lie. They don’t answer any questions, and they screw over Audiogon sales by steering you away from third party sales, and pushing you to their dealers.

I called and asked “how do MM2 Ultras stack up against the G5 Supers. I was literally told that they don’t give out that information. It’s for us to know and for you to find out. While searching I stumbled upon the Aliexpress counterfeits.  They are shipped in a poly bag. Then you go to eBay and buy the box for $50.00 a pop. Transparent Audio Reference PowerLink Factory Cartons eBay item number:224172498955.

I found a pair of G5’s that would work, but being worried about counterfeits, I emailed Transparent customer service with three photos for only for their opinion. Like I said, they don't answer question, and steer you to their dealers, scewing over the Audiogon sellers.

Their reply was “We can never guarantee the authenticity or functionality of products being sold by anyone other than our authorized dealers. If you choose to purchase from third parties, those purchases are made caveat emptor. If you’d like to be absolutely certain you are purchasing authentic Transparent products, I recommend you shop our network of authorized dealers.

So it’s clear to me, that this article wanting you to take advantage of buying used and answering your concerns was just a bunch of propaganda. Thanks for nothing.

 

 

marshinski15
ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 

Sorry to hear about your difficulties.
 

I always deal with my local dealer for Transparent cables, Echo Audio (they also do internet sales). They are fantastic. They will knowledgeably discuss the nuances of difference between generations and Tiers.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,173 posts
 

Transparent is just like all the other cable companies taking advantage of the gullible by clever advertising and obfuscation! 

marshinski15 OP
34 posts
 

So they are screwing over their lesser customers, which could very well be me. Because If I buy their used cables from a dealer, and later, rather than using the upgrade system, I go to sell them third party,Transparent will not verify them or even give an opinion. That's how you thank people for owning your product? 

 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 

Far out. A nice read.

sfgak
113 posts
 

Refusal to authenticate second-hand goods is the norm these days. For example, in the luxury space, you can't get a Louis Vuitton or Chloe handbag authenticated by the respective manufacturers. This is increasingly the case because the counterfeits are so good, even employees can't recognize them.

I did a consulting project a few years ago for one of the world's top luxury conglomerates, looking for both grey market and counterfeit sites on the internet. During that time, I met in Geneva with the commercial director of one of the world's most exclusive watch brands. He showed me a watch that someone bought online, thinking he was saving 35% on the cost. The watch stopped working, and he brought it to an authorized dealer in San Francisco. They looked at it, determined that it needed to go back to the manufacturer in Geneva, and sent it. In Geneva, the manufacturer's employees opened the package, inspected the watch, and sent it to the master watchmakers on the factory floor. It was only when it was examined by the master watchmakers that they were told the product was a counterfeit. 

I tracked down the source of the counterfeit watch. It cost some scammer about $1000, which the scammer married to a counterfeit register receipt, right down to the terminal ID and the name of the employee who supposedly sold it (cost: ~$50). Then they turned around and sold it on an online store for $40,000. 

And yes, the counterfeit looked that good. Nobody is going to authenticate anything of value anymore. It's too easy to make a convincing knockoff, and the authenticator gets no benefit and all liability (whether loss of reputation or by being sued).

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