Review requests
October 31, 2005
I really enjoy your website, and I look forward to your
well-written reviews. I am sure you have people contact you all the time with requests. I
would really like to see a review of the Ascend Acoustics 340M speakers as well as the new
Monitor Audio Silver RS line. Thanks so much, and I look forward to reading your future
reviews.
Chris Collins
We do have a request in for the Ascend Acoustics 340M
speakers. We've been promised a pair for review and will follow up with the company. I'm
not sure who is importing the Monitor Audio line, but we will research that as well to see
if a review is possible. Thanks for the suggestions.
"Out of stock"
October 27, 2005
I have tried ordering a new receiver online for weeks now,
and each time I place my order I get an e-mail that states the model I'm looking at is
"out of stock." Why would someone be selling something they don't even have?
It's a frustrating experience and strikes me as dishonest. What are your thoughts?
Marion
I agree with you. I have had the same experience with
other products. You find a great price on a product you want, and there's no mention that
the store is actually out of stock; then, once you've given over your credit card number
and committed to buying, you find out that your order won't be completed until new stock
arrives. This can take weeks, and in some instances the new stock never arrives! This type
of policy places the consumer's needs last and in my book is ample reason not to shop at
the retailer (e-tailer) again. In fact, I feel most comfortable shopping online when there
is a phone number that I can call before placing the order. Speaking to a live person
still makes me feel like I have some security in the transaction. Call me old fashioned,
but with online shopping you can never be too careful.
Repair 30-year-old JVC?
October 24, 2005
I just inherited a mid-to-late-'70s JVC amp, model VN-900.
It has the S.E.A equalizer system in it. The only problem is that there is a constant
crackle coming from the unit that doesn't get louder or softer with the volume knob, nor
does it pan with the balance knob. It is just constant. I assume it is coming from the
power supply. Do you think the amp warrants spending money on repair, or should I just buy
a new one? I will be using this with a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable I plan to buy, unless
you have any better suggestions in the $500-600 range.
Neil D.
The Music Hall is a turntable I've recommended to
several friends and they seem very happy with it, so I have no better suggestions at that
price range for a turntable. Regarding the JVC amplifier, I don't have any experience with
that unit personally, so all I can really give you is my gut feeling. Being that the amp
could be 30 years old, and with possible power-supply issues, I'd not repair it unless it
had some sentimental value to you. On the other hand, you could always get a repair quote
from a technician in hopes that the repair is simple and inexpensive. In that case you
could establish a threshold for what you're willing to spend (maybe $100?) and if it costs
more than that just not pursue it. If you choose to buy something new you'll likely spend
a little more than you would repairing the JVC, but you'd also likely get much better
sound, functionality, and long-term reliability, too.
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