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Very Bad purchase from upscale audio Acoustic Zen Adagio

This was not my first purchase from Kevin Deal at Upscale audio. I am a entry level audiophile. My PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP and Dialogue Premium Preamplifier have given many hours of enjoyment. I have purchased well over 1K in tubes from Kevin. This purchase took me over the 10K mark with Upscale Audio. I am not a rookie to audio or tube amplification. I have had a successful tube amp repair and design shop since 1993. 
My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio's website.
This pair of Adagio's from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio's in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping
Ok.
I called Kevin and talked to him on the phone.  I asked him if he would entertain an offer. I told him that I had seen the same speakers offered on Audiogon and Audioasylum for considerably less.
He said I am a retail store and back my products. He also said this and I quote " Those people are just guys in their underwear scratching their asses." I am a store.
I trusted the description of the speakers and I trusted Kevin.
Total price. $2839.  $2499.00 plus $340.00 shipping to NC.
The speakers arrived and I couldn't wait to unpack them and hook them up. The packing was great. My anticipation was greater.
Left speaker Tweeter DOA. The same speaker had a shameful reject finish.  The lacquer was so clouded you can hardly see the wood figure. The back of the speaker was loaded with black specks under the lacquer. These speakers are seconds, rejects. I sent Kevin Deal 4 emails referring to the fact that this really was a bad deal.  It has been 3 days and no response.
On the other hand Robert Lee ( Owner of Acoustic Zen)  responded immediately to my email asking for help with the DOA Tweeter. I sent it off next day air to him and today responded that it is on it's way back  to me.
Somehow Kevin Deal's Train ran off the tracks so don't ask for your money back

rbogartr
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
In my experience, the atomization of the lacquer was off by a hair when the milky one was sprayed. Dried in the air a bit. Probably.

(I had to spray many prototype rear projection video screens when I was working on the Goo Systems product development. A tougher spraying job is probably impossible to find. I was not an expert in spraying when I began. But I sure as hell was when I ended. However, my knowledge is self taught and self discerned, so caveat emptor)
Ag insider logo xs@2x
astewart8944
499 posts
 
Illuminating thread. rbogartr, you want it to end and I promise this will be my first and last post on the topic. Consumers have power when they communicate with each other. You helped others by starting the thread. Thank you. BTW I see the cloudiness in every picture posted. A dealer should always tell the truth about their products. rbogartr listened to the dealer, believed him, paid the asking price and was treated unfairly. Hats off to the manufacturer who responded responsibly.
rbogartr OP
7 posts
 
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=speakers&m=354793
One last post with picture. Hard to capture on a cell phone but that's not whip cream on the edges, that's sloppy spay can run.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,903 posts
 
Even Kevin's photos show the dullness of one speaker compared to the other. In the first photo, the duller one is in front of the shiny one and it's plainly obvious. How he could miss it is beyond me. I hope the new tweeter goes a long way towards your listening pleasure.

As for the bad side, speaker placement can go a long way towards hiding it from regular sight lines. Best of luck.

All the best,
Nonoise
oblgny's avatar
oblgny
848 posts
 
I have bought and sold a pretty good amount of products here on the 'Gon from other guys like myself who sit around in our underwear scratching our asses all day.  I have yet to have a bad experience, let alone an experience that couldn't be worked out. 

Don't like the cut of that man's jib!
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