armyslowrdr
I don't want one..LOL
The size is part of the fascination...it will almost fit perfectly where one of the monoblocks sit now.
SkyFi Audio Review
- Thread starter JamesSpud
- Start date
The size is part of the fascination...it will almost fit perfectly where one of the monoblocks sit now.
armyslowrdr
I don't want one..LOL
Maybe he thinks the 252 is just worth a ton more than a pair of 75s. Oh well. Ive given up on the idea for now.
Supercool!
Super Member
If I have watched their YT videos correctly, they don't rebuild everything they sell unless it is out of spec. This would mean a used piece of gear that was at spec is sold at double to triple the going rate and you are not getting an upgraded piece unless it is broken. It's not like they rebuild everything.
They are also, as a buyer, looking to pay lowest prices for gear, this from an inquiry on some gear a couple of years ago. They do seem to have a quality tech set-up and cosmetic attention to detail. I guess if you choose to you are paying for the back end. Buyers make their choices and live with them.
They are also, as a buyer, looking to pay lowest prices for gear, this from an inquiry on some gear a couple of years ago. They do seem to have a quality tech set-up and cosmetic attention to detail. I guess if you choose to you are paying for the back end. Buyers make their choices and live with them.
By the time literally "everything" was rebuilt or replaced, you could have bought a comparable brand new McIntosh for less. More power to them if they can get $4,995 for a MAC1900 receiver (as they had once listed on eBay). As the saying goes, "there's a sucker born every minute".
Seems that everyone wishes there were still brick and mortar stores out there. SkyFi is one of those places. It's not cheap to keep a storefront. I wouldn't buy from them because I don't have much expendable cash and like to find cheap and broken gear so I can fix it myself and get a deal. But I am glad that some people are fortunate enough to be able to support stores like this. I have only seen them online but I would love to visit the store if I am ever out that way. There are absolutely no showrooms left where I live.
I know they had a Sony TA-E77ES (not ESD) pre for sale at a much higher price than I've seen them elsewhere. They made a nice comparison between the non-digital E77ES and the ESD, which does have some digital inputs, as well as the TA-E80ES (newer model) non-digital. The E77ES obviously had non-original side panels, with shiny silver-colored screws and countersunk finishers. They remarked that they didn't know if they were original, but looked nice. Here they have two other preamps they are talking about with original side panels and a quick look on the internet shows that no ES gear had side panels that looked like what the 77ES had. Why not just say someone did a good job fabricating some replacement side panels and leave it at that, instead of acting like they could be the originals? I just didn't find that very truthful and made me leery of them. And, as others have said, their prices seem high.
If you are still living in metro New Orleans, there should be two stereo stores still in business. Digital Rehab (formerly called Wilson Audio) run by Doug Morrison and, Alterman Audio. Digital Rehab does repairs, too, and appears to have higher end gear than Alterman Audio.
And there also appears to be a third New Orleans area audio dealer, Acadian Home Theater. However, they appear home theater focused, not high end audio.
Although I get their weekly newsletter, and I live nearby, I’ve never visited or done business with SkyFi. So I don’t know how firm their listed SkyHi prices are. Anyone? I could see getting a refurbished 301 or 124 TT from them. Has anyone?
I’ve done a lot of business, though (both buying and selling), with AC, all the way back to when they were mail order only working out of a basement? (they told me I’m like customer #33, or so). At first, I always paid full price. Now, I always ask, “Ryan, Steve, what is the absolute best price on a McIntosh…?” And I’m always surprised that they go as low as they do, so I’m a dedicated customer.
I also like AC’s brutal honesty about everything they sell. They are quick to express their views on products, whether positive or negative; and have steered me clear of purchases from them. They also have unmatched customer service. They service what they sell. They stand behind their products. They fix it if it breaks. There’s no BS. And they have allowed me generous trial periods and given me loans when my equipment was in their shop.
When I brought in my MR78 for Modafferi’s updates, expecting to pay $1K, Richard realized he’d already been inside and done some previous work on my tuner, so I paid only $400.00. I never would have known, either way. Later, spent an afternoon with Richard. He’s a fascinating guy.
Someday, I’ll get out to SkyFi. Still like to get a refurbished 301. The only thing that gives me pause is that they also are used car dealers. Hmmm.
Steve is into cars, too. When we visited AC, my brother and he spent time comparing the differences in color between his and Steve’s British Racing Green Jaguars in their parking lot. But when we went inside, it was all stereo.
I’ve done a lot of business, though (both buying and selling), with AC, all the way back to when they were mail order only working out of a basement? (they told me I’m like customer #33, or so). At first, I always paid full price. Now, I always ask, “Ryan, Steve, what is the absolute best price on a McIntosh…?” And I’m always surprised that they go as low as they do, so I’m a dedicated customer.
I also like AC’s brutal honesty about everything they sell. They are quick to express their views on products, whether positive or negative; and have steered me clear of purchases from them. They also have unmatched customer service. They service what they sell. They stand behind their products. They fix it if it breaks. There’s no BS. And they have allowed me generous trial periods and given me loans when my equipment was in their shop.
When I brought in my MR78 for Modafferi’s updates, expecting to pay $1K, Richard realized he’d already been inside and done some previous work on my tuner, so I paid only $400.00. I never would have known, either way. Later, spent an afternoon with Richard. He’s a fascinating guy.
Someday, I’ll get out to SkyFi. Still like to get a refurbished 301. The only thing that gives me pause is that they also are used car dealers. Hmmm.
Steve is into cars, too. When we visited AC, my brother and he spent time comparing the differences in color between his and Steve’s British Racing Green Jaguars in their parking lot. But when we went inside, it was all stereo.
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Is the difference in color between British Racing Green, a dark forest green and Mallard Green, an even darker green or between repaints, restorations, or model years?
In the SkyFi, I still haven’t seen an answer to the question on the OP who told us that he bought a used MC452 from SkyFi, he paid way too much, and the amplifier was defective in that it had a turn-off problem. The last we heard was that SkyFi didn’t fix the problem nor refund his money, but instead found a creative workaround that would allow the defective amplifier to stay turned on without repairing it.
Hmm.
If that changed and they eventually properly repaired the amplifier or offered compensation for selling a defective unit I sure would like to see the follow-up. In any case, it sure appears that their “completely checked out and repaired as required” claim is far from true.
AC isn’t perfect either I’m sure, but it seems that the vast majority of their customers are satisfied and some have even run into problems with AC units that were promptly corrected without argument, which I respect. They too are a bit expensive, quality is.
In the SkyFi, I still haven’t seen an answer to the question on the OP who told us that he bought a used MC452 from SkyFi, he paid way too much, and the amplifier was defective in that it had a turn-off problem. The last we heard was that SkyFi didn’t fix the problem nor refund his money, but instead found a creative workaround that would allow the defective amplifier to stay turned on without repairing it.
Hmm.
If that changed and they eventually properly repaired the amplifier or offered compensation for selling a defective unit I sure would like to see the follow-up. In any case, it sure appears that their “completely checked out and repaired as required” claim is far from true.
AC isn’t perfect either I’m sure, but it seems that the vast majority of their customers are satisfied and some have even run into problems with AC units that were promptly corrected without argument, which I respect. They too are a bit expensive, quality is.
I’m curious, also, about why SkyFi didn’t refund the OP or fix or replace the defective unit.
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It seems that British Racing Green is officially whatever green paint they used that year, and it varies considerably among years, models, and British manufacturers. Steve’s BRG (on an older XJ sedan, IIRC) is more opaque and traditionally what I think of as BRG. My brother’s (on a 2019 F-Type) is more metallic and darker.
Interestingly, Jaguar considers BRG a custom (not standard) color. My brother had to pay $5K extra for it. When he asked why, he was told they have to take a full day to break down and clean the paint sprayer and booth to change to BRG. It seems that is why most automobiles are painted white.
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AC isn’t perfect. What is? But it is among the best companies (audio or otherwise) I’ve ever worked with. And they go lower on price than their stated amounts.
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It seems that British Racing Green is officially whatever green paint they used that year, and it varies considerably among years, models, and British manufacturers. Steve’s BRG (on an older XJ sedan, IIRC) is more opaque and traditionally what I think of as BRG. My brother’s (on a 2019 F-Type) is more metallic and darker.
Interestingly, Jaguar considers BRG a custom (not standard) color. My brother had to pay $5K extra for it. When he asked why, he was told they have to take a full day to break down and clean the paint sprayer and booth to change to BRG. It seems that is why most automobiles are painted white.
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AC isn’t perfect. What is? But it is among the best companies (audio or otherwise) I’ve ever worked with. And they go lower on price than their stated amounts.
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Not to derail this thread, but, years ago, when I was restoring a white 1967 MGBGT, I was told it was originally painted 1967 American Racing White. The closest match, in 1979, was a warm, Ford pickup truck white.
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OTOH, SkyFi does sell used cars, so I guess this topic is still within the thread’s parameters.
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OTOH, SkyFi does sell used cars, so I guess this topic is still within the thread’s parameters.
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