Where is Singlepower? Where is Mikhail?

[lambdaman]

Hi,

Thanks for the responses.

I was really curious to know if SP has ever authorized third-party repairs. It would make sense if the repairs were deemed minor. Mine might be cold-solder connections, or a matter of cleaning the pots or connectors. I live in the Bay Area, where there are lots of competent people able to work on this type of equipment. SP probably has connections in the area, and I was hoping that he would be willing to authorize someone to help.

Going through the local Hi-end stores is also a good suggestion. I have good rapport with a few, and they might have a few suggestions. Even the engineers at my company would be willing to help. But I would prefer to get approval from SP.

I also left a message with SP regarding my warranty status (i.e. how long till it expires), but have not received a reply yet (I never received any documentation explaining the warranty terms).

I love my amp and would like to get it back in shape ASAP. SP has always been polite and enthusiastic (except for the obvious misstatements regarding schedules), and I would like to maintain a good relationship with them. I will keep trying to reach SP before I make a decision, but at some point the amplifier will be unlistenable and some action must be taken.

Thanks again,

lambdaman

 

[Rob N]

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzziguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Like most people, Mikhail responds to the squeaky wheel. I suggest that you start "squeaking". Keep doing it until you get a tracking number that shows the amp on its way to you. I see that you live in the San Diego area. Mikhail will be at the SoCal meet in two weeks. Why don't you attend it? You'll be able to "squeak" in person, plus you'll get to hear a lot of neat stuff and meet interesting people. Maybe Mikhail will respond better if he sees you enjoying some other vendor's products.

Will he be showing new stuff?

 

[blubliss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzziguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mikhail will be at the SoCal meet in two weeks.

Guzziguy, did you hear this directly from Mikhail? I spoke to him last week and he said he would "probably" come but that is not a definite. I told this to 909 and he posted that info. It is certainly nothing definite, unless you heard differently.

I thought I would say something just to avoid confusion.

 

[Icarium]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think sending the amp back to Single Power for repair is the best option, but there's the risk of a long, frustrating wait. Another option is finding someone local to take a look at the amp. If Mikhail agrees and helps the person with the diagnosis and repair, you might be able to avoid shipping the amp to SP. -- I received my ES-1 today. It has been one year since it was sent to SP for upgrades, and eight months since I was told it was ready to ship and I made payment. Dealing with Mikhail has been very frustrating and I believe he was less than honest to me several times regarding the status of my amps and when they were ready to ship. However, recent communications within the past two months has been good and he has been very responsive. I don't know if SP's business practices have been improved permanently, but I am more optimistic and positive about dealing with SP. I do believe that Mikhail is committed to delivering the best amps he can and making his customers satisfied with the product (if not with the speed of delivery). I have another amp at SP, a Supra-XLR, that has also been undergoing upgrades. So my wait isn't over yet.

Congrats Elephas. I hope you like it.

 

[guzziguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blubliss /img/forum/go_quote.gif Guzziguy, did you hear this directly from Mikhail? I spoke to him last week and he said he would "probably" come but that is not a definite. I told this to 909 and he posted that info. It is certainly nothing definite, unless you heard differently. I thought I would say something just to avoid confusion.

Sorry, I misremembered David's post. He posted this yesterday in the meet thread on another board:

"I just got word that Mikhail is likely coming!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob N /img/forum/go_quote.gif Will he be showing new stuff?

I don't know. As you can see, it's not sure that he's actually showing up.

 

[TreAdidas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzziguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Like most people, Mikhail responds to the squeaky wheel. I suggest that you start "squeaking". Keep doing it until you get a tracking number that shows the amp on its way to you. I see that you live in the San Diego area. Mikhail will be at the SoCal meet in two weeks. Why don't you attend it? You'll be able to "squeak" in person, plus you'll get to hear a lot of neat stuff and meet interesting people. Maybe Mikhail will respond better if he sees you enjoying some other vendor's products.

You know... that's a good flippin' idea! I remembered seeing that thread but I had all but forgotten about it. I think I will make the trek on up there. I'm always down for an excuse to hit up Amoeba's.

Hopefully Mikhail will be there. I would love to just chat it up with him and see what he's been working on. That Odyssey thing he had in Florida looked intriguing to say the least.

 

[Akabeth]

Here's a highlight for the day. I spoke a few times with Mikhail today: in the morning, afternoon and not 15 minutes ago since 7:30pm EST. edit: I just spoke to him again...

I look back at our conversation and I seriously have no idea how all of the things in this thread 'happened'. As many have spoken before me, I must add that he's a very passionate and friendly guy.

Every single time I spoke with him today he's in the workshop. There's milling, sanding, and all sorts of noises going off in the background so apparently he's working! Every question I asked him, he answered. He told me things which included the background behind the 12v 'mod', some stuff about transformers, the bass behind R10, and things about tube-rolling that I... didn't understand much

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akabeth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here's a highlight for the day. I spoke a few times with Mikhail today: in the morning, afternoon and not 15 minutes ago since 7:30pm EST. I look back at our conversation and I seriously have no idea how all of the things in this thread 'happened'. As many have spoken before me, I must add that he's a very passionate and friendly guy. Every single time I spoke with him today he's in the workshop. There's milling, sanding, and all sorts of noises going off in the background so apparently he's working! Every question I asked him, he answered. He told me things which included the background behind the 12v 'mod', some stuff about transformers, the bass behind R10, and things about tube-rolling that I... didn't understand much

So what was the problem you guys figured out on your amp?

 

[archosman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akabeth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here's a highlight for the day. I spoke a few times with Mikhail today: in the morning, afternoon and not 15 minutes ago since 7:30pm EST. edit: I just spoke to him again... I look back at our conversation and I seriously have no idea how all of the things in this thread 'happened'. As many have spoken before me, I must add that he's a very passionate and friendly guy. Every single time I spoke with him today he's in the workshop. There's milling, sanding, and all sorts of noises going off in the background so apparently he's working! Every question I asked him, he answered. He told me things which included the background behind the 12v 'mod', some stuff about transformers, the bass behind R10, and things about tube-rolling that I... didn't understand much

Passionate & friendly don't mean jack-s when deadlines are missed...

You should probably go back & do some re-reading

 

[Akabeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins /img/forum/go_quote.gif So what was the problem you guys figured out on your amp?

No we actually haven't figured anything concrete [as of yet]. After spending some time doing trial and error, this mysterious issue seems to be something about the 'gain' section. We both agreed that the amp should be sent back to SP for repairs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by archosman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Passionate & friendly don't mean jack-s when deadlines are missed... You should probably go back & do some re-reading

I realize... but it just feels odd from my experience so far. Well you know, I gotta send the amp to him sooner or later so perhaps we'll see what happens then; so far his costumer service has been great.

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by archosman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Passionate & friendly don't mean jack-s when deadlines are missed... You should probably go back & do some re-reading

Turning things around and getting things caught up, getting the amps out, does mean jack-s...maybe you should go back and re-read how people are now getting there amps.

 

[Elephas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akabeth /img/forum/go_quote.gif I look back at our conversation and I seriously have no idea how all of the things in this thread 'happened'. As many have spoken before me, I must add that he's a very passionate and friendly guy.

So you are doubting the truth of my and others' posts about their experiences with Mikhail? Based on a few good conversations with Mikhail over the phone?

I've also had good conversations with Mikhail over the phone. The first few were during Sept. and Oct. 2007, when we discussed upgrade options for the amps. Those were good conversations. I doubt that your conversations with Mikhail were as "nice" or "friendly" as mine.

Since then, I've had many more conversations and also email exchanges with SP. Throughout all the communications, I give Mikhail credit for being polite and professional. I also give him credit for enthusiasm and knowledge about his products.

He took my money in Feb. 2008, and I remained patient and trusting. I didn't start complaining to him until May 2008. I gave him three months worth of benefit of the doubt. When I began complaining, Mikhail remained polite and was apologetic. He apologized several times and made promises, but I still didn't receive my amp... until now, eight months later. I can only conclude that his apologies, reassurances and promised during May, June, July, and August 2008 were insincere.

Do you need to see my records of all the email exhanges?

I'm not posting about my experiences here to try to hurt Mikhail's reputation or his business. I'm posting to warn others about the risks of long and frustrating delays when dealing with SP. But I'm just one person, who knows who the hell I am and what kind of dubious credibility I have, especially compared to Mikhail's?

Do you want to hear recordings of our phone conversations too?

 

[Gradofan2]

How 'bout...

Hey... I'll be happy to talk to any of you respectfully and congenially... if you'll send me "a couple a thousand bucks."

Anyone?

 

[Akabeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas /img/forum/go_quote.gif So you are doubting the truth of my and others' posts about their experiences with Mikhail? Based on a few good conversations with Mikhail over the phone?

I'm not sure how you got that impression from my earlier post

I just wondered how 'it all' happened... what drove him so far behind his deadlines/promises... 'based on the fact' that he was working until 9:20pm EST. (he got out of the shop right after our last phone conversation)
All I want to do was to post updates/impressions of my dealings with Mikhail... This is the first time I'm doing this sort of thing over the web.

Quote:

Do you need to see my records of all the email exhanges?

Quote:

Do you want to hear recordings of our phone conversations too?

No, I believe you

Quote:

I'm not posting about my experiences here to try to hurt Mikhail's reputation or his business. I'm posting to warn others about the risks of long and frustrating delays when dealing with SP. But I'm just one person, who knows who the hell I am and what kind of dubious credibility I have, especially compared to Mikhail's?

So am I. I'm posting these updates purely based off my dealings with him. No more, no less. I have read your and other members' posts time and time again and I understand that I may be hopping into the 'waiting bandwagon' sooner than I expected. My thoughts regarding his practices are due for change > especially with the fact that I've spent just around 1 hour phone time with Mikhail. Also to readers: take my updates with a big grain of salt; I'm not forcing anyone to believe what I said.

I gotta say if my 'contrasting' post offended you or any other SP costumer, I apologize.

 

[tagosaku]

^ actually, if your amp repair is done in a reasonable manner, that is great news to the rest of us.
I really hope you don't have to go through missed shipping twice a week type of frustration. Good luck