My Emmeline SR-71 Failed!

[Jahn]

http://www.tech-sol.net/humor/true100.htm

 

[Wmcmanus]

Ok, Fred. In that case, he should include pictures and arrows as well. No, seriously, it couldn't hurt to include some instructions.

 

[PhilS]

I apologize and withdraw my comments. Just to make it clear, I didn't have any real problem with the thread per se, or anyone seeking help with the issues at hand via a post in this forum. Nor am I saying anyone is an idiot, or anything like that. I was merely suggesting that giving the thread the title "My Emmeline SR-71 Failed!" (note exclamation point) may not have been the best choice of words. If I was posting, I might have tried: "SR-71 Not Working - Am I Missing Something?" or something to similar effect. But that's just me. I apologize for feeling the way I do, for being misunderstood, and for offending anyone. I will be more careful in the future. Peace.

 

[GoRedwings19]

I think in this day and age you need to include manuals. Just for legal reasons and to do without the hassle. Think about it, If some yahoo somehow manages to damage his/her own amp and they don't have a manual, then they will turn round and expect the manufacturer to fix it. There argument will always be "but there was no manual" line. This is only opinion and it is not for me to say how manufacturers run their own businesses. But it makes so much sense to do so

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy I'd have to disagree. Everyone is so afraid of these God-like builders nowadays that a *paying* customer doesn't have the right to post a problem? Would you say the same to someone who said "My Accord broke down on the freeway"? No, of course not. Such rants and comments are quick ways to collect help and information from the public. Regardless if it's user error or not, the end result should be the same - resolution. I don't think the OP ever said that the SR-71 is a bad product or Ray is a bad builder. He just said it failed. And that was the truth. It had. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it) it was his fault.

Fair enough, sygyzy ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy I believe my post was a reasonable use of this list. I also believe that for $400 instructions would have been helpful and I am disappointed by Ray's reluctance to include them. I am not an idiot.

newguy, your point is well taken as well.

My post agreeing with Phils was in no way intended as criticism of your posting a problem you were having with your SR-71, nor was there any implication that you were an idiot - you obviously are not. In fact, you are a reasonable and well intentioned fellow, judging from your posts in this thread.

My problem was twofold - the choice of words ("My SR-71 Failed"), and the posting before seeking resolution. As this thread has progressed, thanks mainly to Ray's quick response, and your quick acknowledgement of the actual problem, far more positive results have been achieved.

Please accept my apologies if you believe I was calling you an idiot.

Also, as Tuberoller has suggested, with the wider success of Ray's products, a one pager of instructions would be helpful, and may have prevented this whole occurance - but where's the fun in that?

 

[mikeg]

Shouldn't the pilot light become dimmer as the batteries weaken, and shouldn't the pilot light go out when the batteries die? Shouldn't the pilot light also not light up when/if the batteries are reversed? At least that's how the pilot light of my Grado RA-1 works.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy I'd have to disagree. Everyone is so afraid of these God-like builders nowadays that a *paying* customer doesn't have the right to post a problem? Would you say the same to someone who said "My Accord broke down on the freeway"? No, of course not. Such rants and comments are quick ways to collect help and information from the public. Regardless if it's user error or not, the end result should be the same - resolution. I don't think the OP ever said that the SR-71 is a bad product or Ray is a bad builder. He just said it failed. And that was the truth. It had. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it) it was his fault.

Well, the customer should contact the builder first. Threads like this unintentionally mislead people. Would the first thing you do is go around telling people your TV screwed up, even if it's your fault that you didn't plug in right? No, you'd call the maker or customer service to diagnose and remedy the problem right away if you thought it was serious. I've done it myself, and realized I should've just contacted the company and talk to them.

But if the object in Q just suddenly exploded out of nowhere then you'd a good reason to complain. A real good reason.

 

[Lisa]

I agree 100% with Tuberoller about the manual!

Take it from someone who's still quite new to all this audio technical stuff and not a total idiot herself. When you're used to all this the SR-71 is very obvious to use. But when it's all new to you you feel a bit nervous about doing it right. A manual will give you a secure feeling that you know you've done it right because you followed the instructions. There should be instuctions about opening the amp, putting in the batteries and closing it again. Plus all the other technicalities, like the LED staying on after the amp stops producing sound. IMO this a also a part of good customer service.

 

[Tuberoller]

I hope you guys see that I offer this suggestion to Ray in a most constructive manner. In a thread where a user has some difficulty with implementation of his products,I think this suggestion is in proper context.

I think Ray gets it and while he might not like me addressing this in such a public manner,I'm sure he understands why I did.

 

[Lisa]

What I see is that you're trying to convince your friend in order to help him get his business even better. And I put down my thoughts on the matter for the same reasons. Although I don't know Ray in person I too would like to see someone who makes such good products to get his business to do even better.

 

[sygyzy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia Well, the customer should contact the builder first. Threads like this unintentionally mislead people. Would the first thing you do is go around telling people your TV screwed up, even if it's your fault that you didn't plug in right? No, you'd call the maker or customer service to diagnose and remedy the problem right away if you thought it was serious. I've done it myself, and realized I should've just contacted the company and talk to them. But if the object in Q just suddenly exploded out of nowhere then you'd a good reason to complain. A real good reason.

Try to contact Panasonic (or some other large corporation), stay on hold for possibly hours, get transferred through multiple departments ...

Or post on an audio video forum and have an answer come up in 2 minutes.

Message boards are the greatest source of modern information. You don't just have one expert on them, you have thousands. Each with a different expertise.

Also, you just saved the manufacturer time on answering a call. Time that can be spent building awesome amps on military spec PCB.

 

[mikeg]

Although use of forums such as this is great, not all manufacturers keep you hanging on the line. I'm sure that Ray, who made the subject amp., responds promptly, although I haven't called him. But, I am very familiar with Mikhail of SinglePower Audio. Mikhail promptly and personally answers the phone during all day and evening hours, and throughout weekends. The personal service that he provides, as well as his immediate response to phone calls, are amazing. And, I am sure that Ray's response is similar. Thus, contacting small fabricators, such as these, is not like calling corporate giants such as Panasonic and Sony.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy Try to contact Panasonic (or some other large corporation), stay on hold for possibly hours, get transferred through multiple departments ... Or post on an audio video forum and have an answer come up in 2 minutes. Message boards are the greatest source of modern information. You don't just have one expert on them, you have thousands. Each with a different expertise. Also, you just saved the manufacturer time on answering a call. Time that can be spent building awesome amps on military spec PCB.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy Try to contact Panasonic (or some other large corporation), stay on hold for possibly hours, get transferred through multiple departments ... Or post on an audio video forum and have an answer come up in 2 minutes. Message boards are the greatest source of modern information. You don't just have one expert on them, you have thousands. Each with a different expertise. Also, you just saved the manufacturer time on answering a call. Time that can be spent building awesome amps on military spec PCB.

I e-mailed ray about an amp one evening, and he replied that night. Fairly quick indeed. That was a few days ago. (I had never contacted him prior.)

 

[Tuberoller]

When I visited Ray last week,he suggested that manuals for all his products are in the works. I encouraged him to make these manuals available on his site for current owners as well.

 

[taoster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuberoller When I visited Ray last week,he suggested that manuals for all his products are in the works. I encouraged him to make these manuals available on his site for current owners as well.

if its simple and easy, keep the length short and the instructions easy. It's assuring to see a manual, even if the task is trivial it's quite confirming.