Outstanding.

[Mart]

Just a quick post regarding the purchase of my (new to me) pre amp and the quality of service I received from Trevor at Guildford Audio as when you get excellent service I think its worth shouting about.

I'd been after a new pre for a while and tracked down a Acoustic Research SP14 at Guildford Audio, gave them a call on Saturday afternoon and arranged to drive down and collect it that same day.

Was quite a distance from Cleveland to Guildford but prefered to collect because just about everything I've had delivered lately has been damaged or smashed beyond recognition, (yes UPS, you swines).

Anyhoo, thought I would be landing early evening but the traffice cone jugglers on the M1 in the roadworks at Trowal services had me at walking pace for miles and the same thing on the M25

I was all set to stop at a Travel Lodge or somewhere and rang Trevor to say so, this being after 10 PM and I thought way too late.

He wasn't bothered in the least and when I pulled up at his house I was greeted with a handshake and the words "kettles on".

An hour and a good natter later I was on my way home and the SP14 is in the same condition as it was the day it was made.

So a big thumbs up for Guildford Audio and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any body.

Regards, Mart.

[Spectral Morn]

This is what you like to read :) Enjoy your pre.


Regards D S D L

[John]

Thats great to hear Matt cheers for posting

[DSJR]

I thought the SP14 was a huge leap forward for ARC and enjoyed mine hugely. Sadly, the old fans didn't like its neutrality, preferring the warmer velvet tones of the "classic" models, which ARC returned to in their more popular models which followed.

I changed my SP14 for the first Croft 4PP I owned - practically as good sounding and a whole lot cheaper. These days, an SP14 for between £500 and a grand (Trading Station sold one last year for around £750 IIRC) is a very attractive buy IMO and very solidly made with a great phono stage (loading is adjustable too).

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/DSJR_photos/SP14withA76Tuner.jpg


Enjoy your preamp. Not sure whether you should consider the ARC power amps though. Apparently, they fail spectacularly....

[Mike Reed]

That's a bloody long way to travel, Mart, but you've got a lovely bit of kit there.

[Marco]

Hi Mart,

Nice one! I know Trevor quite well, as I've bought a few things from him in the past. He's definitely one of the good guys, and is known to go the extra mile for his customers :)

He's a member here but doesn't post very often. Anyway, enjoy your fav choons on your lovely new preamp :cool:

Marco.

[Filterlab]

Was quite a distance from Cleveland to Guildford.....so a big thumbs up for Guildford Audio and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any body.

Heck of a journey mate, but I'm so glad Guildford Audio made the trip to Surrey a worthwhile excursion. A huge thumbs up for Guildford Audio I believe is in order. :)

[Filterlab]

I sent a quick email to Trevor at Guildford Audio drawing his attention to this thread, here's his reply:


Rob

Thanks for the message and I have to say there are some real nice customers
out there and I will be more than happy to push water uphill for many of the
people I have met whilst running Guildford Audio. Martin is one of them I
will look forward to meeting again.

A little while ago I had some very surprised musicians arrive at 11:00 one
night after a local gig to buy some speakers - I think Carol my partner
suggested they went home at about 01:30 in the morning - very unsociable so she may have to go!!

Business is about people and once you forget this you are dead in the water
- it just so happens I like meeting interesting individuals and I am blessed
with many nice customers like Martin and I wished there were more like him.
I know price is an issue for many people but I do wish people would see past
it and see what they are getting for their money - life is too short to sell
boxes and the world too small a place to upset customers.

Life is good so there is no excuse for not spreading a bit of goodwill
about.

I hope we meet up at some point and thanks again.

Kind Regards



Trevor Martin

Director.

Guildford Audio Limited,

Tel: Mobile, 07979-515577. Office: 01483-537577.

Email: trevor@guildfordaudio.co.uk Website: www.guildfordaudio.co.uk


What a nice bloke! Great to see real customer service still alive and well. :)

[DSJR]

Big Moog knows and likes this dealer too......................

Mad prices though :lol: A relic of when people could afford such stuff - obviously a few still in the stockbroker belt :)

[Mart]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Yup, twas quite a trip and I felt like a giraffe with a stiff neck when I got home but it was worth it.

Am now of to juggle some granite slabs, acrylic platforms, squidgy feet and wrestle with the seriously unbendy JPS Labs IC's.

Will wop some pics in the gallery after I recover from my injuries.

Regards, Mart.

[Mart]

I sent a quick email to Trevor at Guildford Audio drawing his attention to this thread, here's his reply:



What a nice bloke! Great to see real customer service still alive and well. :)



Well, you can't say fairer than that.

There are some very good dealers out there, yet its a pity there aren't a few more, although it does make you more appreciative of the good guys.

[Filterlab]

...although it does make you more appreciative of the good guys.

And that's what matters mate. :)