trying to reach Art Audio..... are they gone ?

I got the info I was looking for. The company may be on hard times, but the Carissa is still a super star of an amp.

Mattzack2 Were you able to reach Joe Fratus? I lost touch with him, and Art Audio some time ago. Now they seem to have disappeared completely.

I have a Carissa Signature (with some enhancements) and couldn't agree with you more. Fabulous amplifier!

The owner, Tom Hudson, had serious health problems about a year ago per his son of the same name. They were in the process of sorting through the business late last year when I last was able to contact them.
Still waiting on my Jota which was in for repairs but expect that it will be a loss.

Andrew9405, what does that mean?

Nightfall,
You don't seem to understand. Joe Fratus was not authorized by anyone but himself to be the US distributor of Art Audio products. Some customers lost serious money when he disappeared.
It is a shame though, as I once had a demo of the Carissa with Tannoy Kensington speakers, and it sounded really beautiful. Most people who have owned them love those amps, and they're pretty too.