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  1. #1
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    Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    I'm interested in upgrading my DAC from the Linn Klimax-DSM, and will be hearing the MSB Select in my home soon. I contacted the distributor for Soulution,Axis Audio, about hearing the 760 DAC and received the following reply: "None of our Soulution dealers have the 760 DAC on demo and we do not have one to loan out to dealers. It is a specialized unit that dealers order as they have an order from a customer for it."

    Is it reasonable/customary to expect a customer to make a 70K purchase based on reputation alone, without a demo? I'm a lot more inclined to buy a brand from a local dealer where I can be confident of receiving excellent customer service. This response really makes me less inclined to consider this brand. Am I wrong? Have you purchased DACs with no demo?
    Speakers; Wilson Audio Alexx
    Amp; D'Agostino MxV 400
    Source; MSB Select II
    Power: Stromtank S2500Q

  2. #2
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Absurd.
    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
    Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
    Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
    Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
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    Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
    Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest

  3. #3
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Yeah, what Jim said. I'd certainly scratch it from, my, list. They could have at least offered a return option if you weren't happy. They must not be very confident in the product or care to sell the "specialty" product.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kippyy View Post
    I'm interested in upgrading my DAC from the Linn Klimax-DSM, and will be hearing the MSB Select in my home soon. I contacted the distributor for Soulution,Axis Audio, about hearing the 760 DAC and received the following reply: "None of our Soulution dealers have the 760 DAC on demo and we do not have one to loan out to dealers. It is a specialized unit that dealers order as they have an order from a customer for it."

    Is it reasonable/customary to expect a customer to make a 70K purchase based on reputation alone, without a demo? I'm a lot more inclined to buy a brand from a local dealer where I can be confident of receiving excellent customer service. This response really makes me less inclined to consider this brand. Am I wrong? Have you purchased DACs with no demo?
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  4. #4
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    In reality how many dealers “loan” out 5 figure DACs unless you have a well established history with them?
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  5. #5
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    No way would I purchase something I haven’t heard and couldn’t return.
    Tom

    Audio:
    Amati Futura Mains
    Amati Homage VOX Center,
    Proac Response 1sc Rears,
    Three MC2301's for L,C,R
    MC 602 for the rears
    C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 77
    Nottingham Dais with Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
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    MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.

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    Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 80, Rega P3

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  6. #6
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    I can’t speak for others, but we have three showrooms for demos. People can come and listen until their hearts content.

    No problem loaning stuff out to local folks either.

    Now, on the flip side, shipping demos has been a nightmare where the pieces have either come back damaged by the customer, damaged by the shipping company or at a minimum, the box looking like a dogs breakfast. Never again.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  7. #7
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Could you require full price deposit and double boxing, at the potential buyers expense, to help offset non local potential buyers? If they are serious I cannot see why this would be an issue.


    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    I can’t speak for others, but we have three showrooms for demos. People can come and listen until their hearts content.

    No problem loaning stuff out to local folks either.

    Now, on the flip side, shipping demos has been a nightmare where the pieces have either come back damaged by the customer, damaged by the shipping company or at a minimum, the box looking like a dogs breakfast. Never again.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  8. #8
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by nc42acc View Post
    Could you require full price deposit and double boxing, at the potential buyers expense, to help offset non local potential buyers? If they are serious I cannot see why this would be an issue.
    Yes, we’ve done that most recently. Sure weeds out the tire kickers.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  9. #9
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Much of the equipment I've bought I've bought without hearing (I don't mind experimenting, I look for deals where I can sell again with minimal loss, and I'm a really good researcher). I've been very lucky and have yet to get a dog. That said the most expensive equipment I've bought only cost around 20k, and that piece was something I'd heard, so there's a limit (in my head probably around 10k). Now sure, 70k to you may well be roughly equivalent to 10k to me; there's some relativity here.

    Not a chance I'd buy something for 70k I'd no way of hearing in advance, in a system similar to mine. No. Way. (I also wouldn't expect a demo unit/loaner of something with that price tag unless I knew the dealer very very well. But a showroom, or an invite to another owner's room, for sure).

    To me that's just a signal they're not really serious about selling something like that. Sort of unprofessional, but understandable in some ways also - I don't know how high end audio dealers keep even as much inventory/demo as they seem to on all the brands they carry, with prices on some of this stuff.
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

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    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  10. #10

    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    I'm sure Mike could tell stories about loaning out gear to a potential "customer" only to find out they were using him for the demo and they had no intentions of buying the gear from him.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  11. #11
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Mark he has told me some of those stories.

    So if the OP is interested in a DAC he should reach out to Mike and see what they can work out.

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    I'm sure Mike could tell stories about loaning out gear to a potential "customer" only to find out they were using him for the demo and they had no intentions of buying the gear from him.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  12. #12
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    In my opinion it is not worth spending that much money on a big uncertainty. Stick with a company that manufactures DAC’s as their primary business like MSB. You will be buying something with better support with proven results from many end users.
    Buddy

    Boulder 1160 Amp, 1110 Pre-Amp
    Audio Research Ref. 3 Phono-Pre
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    Innuos Statement w/Next. Gen. PS
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    Kronos Pro Turntable w/Kronoscope RS tonearm + SCPS-1 PS + MSL Platinum Cart.
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  13. #13
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    I'm sure Mike could tell stories about loaning out gear to a potential "customer" only to find out they were using him for the demo and they had no intentions of buying the gear from him.
    It would be multiple chapters.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  14. #14
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Audio 1 View Post
    In my opinion it is not worth spending that much money on a big uncertainty. Stick with a company that manufactures DAC’s as their primary business like MSB. You will be buying something with better support with proven results from many end users.
    Truth!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  15. #15
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by nc42acc View Post
    Mark he has told me some of those stories.

    So if the OP is interested in a DAC he should reach out to Mike and see what they can work out.
    Thanks!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  16. #16
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Amen! I bought MSB without a demo and has been the most transformational audio purchases I have made.

    Quote Originally Posted by Audio 1 View Post
    In my opinion it is not worth spending that much money on a big uncertainty. Stick with a company that manufactures DAC’s as their primary business like MSB. You will be buying something with better support with proven results from many end users.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  17. #17
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by nc42acc View Post
    Amen! I bought MSB without a demo and has been the most transformational audio purchases I have made.
    Love reading this. So happy!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  18. #18
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    Re: Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

    Thanks everyone for validating my thoughts and concerns.
    Hearing the MSB Select tomorrow at my local dealer...Excited!
    In addition, his customer service has been impeccable...Another reason I'm inclined to purchase.
    Speakers; Wilson Audio Alexx
    Amp; D'Agostino MxV 400
    Source; MSB Select II
    Power: Stromtank S2500Q

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Purchase Soulution gear with no demo?

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