Audio Note M8/10 Kit experience

ALP-Crap

Hi all,

This is my first post ever as I usually don't write on any forums but I must share my experience to hope there aren't much 苦主 like me.

I bought my preamp maybe 4-5 years ago from a company in Mongkok company mostly selling Audio Note (UK) kit (and now switched to their own brand but still using the AN kit from UK) but since it's in my 3rd system I really seldom listen to it so maybe it had around 150 hours on it.  A few months ago when I was listening to it I discovered there are some noises from the volume controls (dual balance) so I went to that company for service.  After it was fixed and I was told the tube of the preamp and the volume controls has to be changed (he said due to the natural oxidation?!).  I paid $4xxx and got it back but after 30 minutes the preamp start having some low frequency hum and noises and it stopped working so I called and the owner told me to change the fuses.  I did and try again.  Same thing.  I called again and he already started sounding not so patient and finally he agreed to take it back and see if there's anything wrong.  

When I was there today he tried the XLR in/out but I told him I used RCA but he said they're the same.  Since I was driving I got to leave before 4pm as the road start to block so I just wanted to leave the preamp there for him to test it out.  He told me I'll have to be there for 30 minutes to see if there's any problem otherwise I'll have to pay the service fee again in which I was shocked!  He stated that all his products enjoys a 3 month warranty after service but now he said something different.  He said since he only changed the tube and the 2 volume controls and that's ALL he will have the warranty on, any other problems on the preamp is NOT his problem and if I want to have it checked I'll have to pay $1xxx for the service fee upfront.  Gosh I was really surprised and angry after hearing him said that.  I said how do I know if it wasn't the fixing that introduced the problem and that's when he started to piss off and say something really bad to me.  Anyway, it's either I stay for 30 minutes and see if there's any problem and if there's any problem I'll still need to pay for the service, or I am out of his shop or he'll call the police if I stay.  He also said he has so many customers everyday and he doesn't care if there's one less.  I really have nothing to say to such an owner and I have never had such a bad experience during my 30+ years of audio listening.  I just hope all you music lovers won't have such an bad experience like me!

curiouskb

Ching,
You mean you built the M8/10 kit yourself? My hat off to you in that case. Name of shop?

ALP-Crap

Nope.  It's a pre-built kit.  If I had that knowledge/experience I would have diagnosis the problem myself. <sigh>  I'll PM you the name of the shop.

Kelkelboy

I am not sure if there's really a M8/M10 kit.  I heard that the shop is not even using real audio note power supplied.  You can call big elephant to see if there's M8/M10 kit for sell.  Also last time I went to that place they sound really bad as well.  
BTW If you have low hum noise I think is the tube problem, I tried to change the tube in my M6 line and it had big noise.  I then discovered that audio note is very responsive and sensitive to tube, even expensive tube they are very selective, must tried many time to suit your machine.  If you are really sick of this shop, I can tell you a shop which is very reliable (I think) and reasonable.  at least the service is great!  if you need you can PM me.

tye

Audio Note UK does not sell their products (eg M8) in kit form at all.    Instead, they sold a simple preamp kit some years ago via Elephant.   I was one of the customers.   Still, this simple preamp kit is NOT the same as one of the preamps selling in the market under ANUK.    A few years ago, they stopped selling kits and pass the kits business to www.audionotekits.com which is a different company but has got the license to sell kits under ANUK brand.   check out this site for details.

In any case, there's no kit form of production ANUK model. and that, kits are selling directly from audionotekits.com     I have no information about this company in Mongkok but has been there a few years ago and find their parts look very similar (if not the same) to ANUK ones.   Of cos, i have no idea whether their parts are indeed sourced from the same place.   If you are interested, can contact either audionotekits.com or Peter Q. in ANUK to verify.

Hope your kit is fixed soon and enjoy music.   cheers

nagramen

ALP-Crap 發表於 2012-6-19 17:24
Nope.  It's a pre-built kit.  If I had that knowledge/experience I would have diagnosis the problem  ...

Please PM me which shop. Thanks!

Law記

What a pity!
May be you should disclose the shop name (incompletely of course)

Assurance

Is it ALP Audio?

Crymen

Assurance 發表於 2012-6-20 12:15
Is it ALP Audio?

I believe so.  See from 苦主's user name.

racewong

Assurance 發表於 2012-6-20 12:15
Is it ALP Audio?

咩係ALP Audio???!!!

wctrent

racewong 發表於 2012-6-20 13:58
咩係ALP Audio???!!!

高X音响

racewong

wctrent 發表於 2012-6-20 23:15
高X音响

Hmmmm, 未聽過添！

CKKeung

It has been in business for several years.  The customer service all along is said to be just so so.

Are their kits genuine and come from Audionote UK?

ALP-Crap

Been told they are the backdoor of Elephant and their kits are genuine from UK.

Law記

wctrent 發表於 2012-6-20 23:15
高X音响

邊條街或者咩大廈?

wctrent

5 Sai Yeung Choi South Street,Good Hope Building

ALP-Crap

Update : HELP!

Today I tried the XLR in/out as the guy tested at the shop (he changed the fuse at his shop).  After 10 mins the preamp stop working and smoke come out of it.  

Any brother knows a good and reasonable service guy specialize in tube audio?  A Million thanks!

Am really sad about what happened... and this incident makes me even don't want to listen to music...

ALP-Crap

By the way I've put back my good old Audio Note M7 (the real one, not kit) and the music is back... although I don't have any mood to listen to.

Law記

ALP-Crap 發表於 2012-6-21 21:41
By the way I've put back my good old Audio Note M7 (the real one, not kit) and the music is back...  ...

呢方面冇乜資料，唔知德發賣膽嗰間幫唔幫人整機

CKKeung

According to Audionote UK website :
"... Alp Audio is no longer an authorised Audio Note Parts Distributor..."
http://audionote.co.uk/comp/kit_sellers.shtml