goonybird wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 1:10 pm
Follow up.
Emailed Conrad Johnson - service
To see if they can supply 2x vishay 162k resistors for one of my premier 12's, as unobtanium in the UK
No response (twice)
How long should I expect a reply?
Yes, times have certainly changed mate. Good old days (20- 30yrs ago...) no issues. Ed and LJ would send across anything you required. That model is long gone! Now, I'm aware that they'll send parts across only to their authorised dealers or the direct importer. Actually it's the importer who can request for parts, not even the dealer. This is the current business / service model that's in place for Int'l distributors/ importers.
Now, you would think that IF you're based in the US, and even closer to VA which is CJ's HQ, surely they'd be able to send across parts if owners required any... but not the case either. Especially for older gear. Only if CJ serviced & fixed your older gear then they'll source the parts to get your gear back in working order.
Sending parts for older gear, I don't think they'll attend to that.
Then there's this premise, with newer gear (latest and greatest) JF may send directly to the owner if the owner personally reached out to JF. And that being the transaction previously done by JF and the customer, hence no middle-man, no dealer or importer. Why I bring this point up is because JF has in fact been dealing with customers directly. Again, he's the new boss man, so I guess he decides how things go.
Considering that you're based overseas (outside of the US), your main UK importer is Audio Freaks (our best mate Branko!) If you got in touch with them first and requested such parts, maybe AF Branko just might be willing to oblige, since you're paying for it, and AF will charge a small margin, so in general it's not a loss to them. However, according to one of our valued CJO members (who doesn't post anymore) had a very very bad experience with AF Branko. So that ended an absolute dead-end! Utter shame those amplifiers weren't attended to, and these were top of the line! (ARTsa and ET7S2), not even vintage.
Considering the type of gear you have, the parts you're after and the situation of being overseas, I reckon you should try to source these parts or alternatives from other reputed suppliers. Unless of course, you were to ship your amplifiers all the way to CJ HQ. I really don't see any other way. Perhaps others may have better ideas, don't know.
See how you go and keep us posted on the find.
Cheers, RJ