OK guys, here is Clinton Jensen, of Perreaux, responding to my email to him: I'll post this in its entirety, and I'm also gonna post it in my Perreaux Take Two thread.
Hello Martin
thank you for alerting me to this issue. after reading through the thread i find it quite amusing that some of the members think that we send out faulty product and don't test to make sure it is working first. we have extemely stringent QC procedures and the product is thoroughly audio tested to make sure it meets spec. we have nothing to hide and this is why we provide graphs with all our products. these graphs are all taken at rated output with both channels driven, in the case of the SXH1, with a 64 Ohm load (this provides the best compromise, as i am aware that 32 Ohms and 300 Ohms are common load impedances).
the problem with the RCA inputs/outputs stems from the courier companies. most of your members are probably unaware of how brutal these people are and the small nature of the SXH1 makes it very tempting just to throw it around (and believe me they do, FRAGILE sticker or not). Most of the courier drivers are contractors and are paid by the number of jobs they do, so they of course are concerned with time.
the nature of Audio Advisor's business does not help this issue, being a mail order company, as their product will always be shipped out via courier. our move to a traditional distribution model with a retail network will help take this issue out of the picture. some of the HeadFi.org members are alluding to the number of issues with the SXH1 fuelling this decision, this is not true. we didn't feel that a mail order company was the right avenue to move our higher-end product, and this had been proven over period of our relationship. We had no doubt what-so-ever that they could move Silhouette Series, and again this was proven. so this is the so-called 'strategic fit', while they could sell Silhouette Series, there is more to Perreaux than that. we don't want potential US customers missing out on Perreaux just because AA won't stock it.
now, how to fix this problem. i can only guess, but what i assume has happened is the solder joint to the RCA connector(s) has broken. this is easy to fix and will only require the joint to be re-soldered. this should be covered under warranty, but will need to be taken up with AA, as it doesn't come under material defects, workmanship defects or normal use.
what can we do to stop this from happening in the future, i don't know at this stage. it will require a sit down with the mechanical engineer and a few ideas thrown around. but again, thank you for alerting me to this problem. your feedback is invaluable and without it no product would be able to evolve to the next level.
on a side note, I noticed that only 30 members voted... it is hardly fair to say there is a 35% failure rate when over 150 units have been sold in the US alone.
warm regards
Clinton
