Established 1973
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Your website looks and works fantastic on
my home, office & laptop PC & Mac computers,
but on my new Apple iPhone and iPad your
PreOwned Equipment pages don't look as good,
and I'm unable to view the prices following your instructions
under "Prices" near the top of the page; what's up with this?
A: AllegroSound.com is optimized for viewing on PC
and Mac computers with all browsers on a LARGE screen;
devices with tiny screen &/or no screen-pointer are unable to view
those pages as designed and will have limited functionality;
please bookmark http://www.AllegroSound.com
and view later from home/office/laptop computer.
Q: Are items I see on your website available to purchase?
A: "For SALE or TRADE" pages are updated daily
(In Firefox and most other browsers except IE,
Page-Title be at the very top of your browser in the blue bar,
[ AllegroSound * Frequently Asked Questions * ] at this page)
If you landed on my site via a Search Engine or Toolbar,
you may be looking at an old, "cached" page;
click here for current listings after reading this page.
Q: How can I avoid this problem in future visits to your site?
A: Click here and bookmark the page.
Q: Where are the prices?
A: All images on this site contain additional information via "pop-up" text;
place screen-pointer ON the image (the rotating $-sign in each listing,
in this particular instance) and the info will show in 1~2 seconds.
* Note: this be a "hover" function; DO NOT CLICK !!!
Q: My iPhone doesn't have a screen-pointer; what do I do?
A: Make a phone call? Seriously, wait 'til you're at a computer.
Q: I'm at my computer and I still can't see the price;
what am I doing wrong?
A: Follow instructions under "Prices" near top of listing-page.
Q: I still need help; what do I do now?
A: Click "HELP" in the floating Menu
located at the far right of your screen.
Q: I don't see a Menu; what do I do now?
A: Click here.
Q: I found the Menu; it was out-of-view
on my screen; how can I fix this?
A: If you're using Internet-Explorer,
try these settings under "View" >
1. Reset Zoom to 100% (default is 125%).
2. Reset Text to Larger (default is Medium).
Q: I'm lost in cyberspace; what do I do now?
A: Phone a friend.
Q: Why is this important?
A: If you can't see informational html-titles on this site,
you can't see them on any site! I recommend you get help to fix this.
Q: If an item is out of my $-range, can you advise
items in same category within my $-range?
A: Yes, click here.
Q: Are you available by phone to discuss price?
A: No.
Q: Why not?
A #1: Email is more efficient.
A #2: Provides documentation.
Q: Are you available by phone to discuss the equipment
after we have determined via email that we are on the same
page with regards to price, condition, terms, payment, etc?
A: Yes.
Q: Some of your prices include "ptc"; what does this mean?
A: ptc = partial-trades considered.
Q: Some of your prices are "tbd"; what does this mean?
A: tbd = to be determined.
Q: Will you consider a lower offer?
A: Depends on the item & the offer.
Q: I see many "Unobtainium Class" items on your site.
What does "Unobtainium Class" mean?
A#1: Demand for this item is greater than the supply.
A#2: Good investment.
Q: Do you ship to my country?
A: If it's on the planet Earth, yes.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: Click here.
Q: Why do you charge sales tax for items delivered in California?
A: The State Of California requires me to do so.
Q: Why are your prices higher than I've seen on fleabay?
A #1: If you're happy with sellers on fleabay,
you're easier to please than I am.
A #2: You get what you pay for here.
Q: An item I see on your website sold online for
less than you quoted; will you lower your price?
A: What do you have in mind?
Q: If I see the same item on your site a month
from now, will you be lowering the price?
A: What do you have in mind?
Q: Will you hold an item with a deposit?
A: Yes.
Q: How much deposit do you require?
A: 20~30%; depends on the item.
Q: Are deposits refundable?
A: No.
Q: How long will you hold the item for me?
A: How long do you need?
Q: How come you don't advertise your items as
"mint" or "minty" like I see elsewhere?
A: The term is applicable to uncirculated
coins and not used audio gear.
Q: Do you accept trade-ins?
A: If it's on my list here, it may be doable.
Q: What info do you need from me?
A: Click here.
Q: Do you purchase equipment outright?
A: Yes.
Q: What info do you need from me?
A: Click here.
Q: I have Make_ Model _ on your Wanted list; are you interested?
A: Maybe; click here and provide requested info;
the more quality info you send, the more interested I will be.
Follow with high-resolution, legible pics taken with a real camera;
if you must use a cell-phone, select "Large 662K" before sending.
Follow up with pdf-scan of Literature and Manuals if you have.
Q: I see many specialized vacuum tubes
on your site; are these new or used?
A: All tubes sold by AllegroSound are "used."
Q: Please explain.
A: "New" and "NOS" tubes sold by AllegroSound
have been operated during testing, auditioning
and burn-in & therefore are, technically, "used".
Many carry our 100-day exchange, 1-yr pro-rated warranty,
including "UOS" (used old stock) Telefunken 12AX7 "pulls".
Q: I've heard that you have the "fastest
keyboard in the West" re email; is this true?
A: Yes.
Q: I've heard that your expertise and after-sale support
is the best in the business; is this true?
A: Yes.
Q: I've also heard that you are slow
in shipping items out; is this true?
A: Yes.
Q: Please explain.
A #1: Equipment is carefully cleaned, inspected, slow variac'd to
reform the capacitors, tested for dc-offset and adjusted as needed,
& critically auditioned in world-class reference system prior to packing.
A #2: Equipment is lovingly packed to avoid damage (none in 37 yrs!).
A #3: Commercial Invoice with correct HTS# prepared for all Foreign
orders, reducing the incidence of delay and damage in Customs.
A #4: Quality work requires quality time.
Q: What is your typical lead-time?
A: Depends on many unpredictable variables,
including orders ahead of yours and the phase of the moon.
When speed trumps quality, you want "fleabay".
When quality trumps speed, you want AllegroSound.
Q: Do your solid-state amps sound like tubes?
A: No.
Q: Do any solid-state amps sound like tubes?
A: No.
Q: Do your tuners need alignment?
A: No.
Q: Do your tubes need replacing?
A: No.
Q: Do you really Inspect, Variac & Audition before shipping?
A: Yes.
Q: Are AllegroSound tubes and cables
really as good as you say they are?
A #1: Yes.
A #2: Hearing is believing.
Q: Is your guaranty for real?
A: Yes.
Q: Is your hearing still any good?
A: Yes.
Q: I read on a blog that it's not possible to successfully
mate ELS's with subwoofers; is this correct?
A #1: No.
A #2: Don't believe what you read on blogs.
Q: Are you able to pack fragile items like tape machines
& turntables so they don't get damaged in shipping?
A: Yes.
Q: I live out of USA and have to pay Import Duty on items made in the USA;
can you insure my shipment for what I paid & declare lower value for Customs?
A: No. Insured-Value & Declared-Value must be the same.
Q: Will you insure and declare a lower value than paid?
A: No. All shipments are fully insured for your protection.
Q: I live in Europe; can I run 120V-50/60Hz components on my 230V-50Hz mains?
A: Yes, if you use a step-DOWN Autoformer or Variac with the proper rating.
CLICK here for detailed information.
Q: Will this harm the equipment?
A: No.
Q: Will this degrade the sound?
A: No.
Q: I live in Japan; can I run 120V-50/60Hz components on my 100V-50Hz mains?
A: You can try as-is or use a step-UP Autoformer or Variac with the proper rating.
CLICK here for detailed information.
Q: Will this harm the equipment?
A: No.
Q: Will this degrade the sound?
A: Depends on many variables, so the safe answer is maybe,
but keep in mind that other things degrade the sound more.
Q: Do transformers, film-capacitors & semi-conductors
improve with age like a fine cabernet or puro?
A: Yes.
Q: Do speakers require over a year to fully "run-in" when played 3 hrs/day?
A: Yes.
Q: Is speaker run-in permanent?
A: No.
Q: Do electronics require 3 Months of on-time to "burn-in"?
A: Yes.
Q: Do electronics need re-adjusting of bias & dc-offset after burn-in?
A: Yes.
Q: After burn-in, do solid-state electronics need 3 Days
warm-up to reach FSP™ / Full Sonic Potential™ ?
A: Yes.
Q: My high-bias amp raises the room-temp and spins my power meter like a
roulette-wheel; if I have you or local tech lower the bias so it runs cooler
and consumes less electricity, and I leave it on, will it sound as good?
A: It will sound better.
Q: So why don't manufacturers employ a High-Low bias switch?
A #1: Those in-the-know do, but they be the exception rather than the norm.
A #2: They didn't consult with me.
Q: Will slow-starting electronics with a Variac help avoid costly repairs?
A: Yes.
Q: Even new electronics?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you really practice what you preach?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have long-term, professional references you can send?
A: Yes.
Q: Why don't you offer free professional consultation?
A #1: You just got one.
A #2: Click here.
A #3: There's only 24 hours in the day.
A #4: Because my Accountant, Attorney & Doctor don't.
Q: Can I pay with a Credit-Card?
A: Yes, subject to approval at Western Union.
Q: Do you take Credit Cards directly?
A: No.
Q: Can I pay via Bank Wire Transfer?
A: Yes, subject to approval.
Q: I'm located in the USA; can I pay via PayPal?
A: Payments via PayPal are limited to $200
and shipment to Verified address.
Q: For purchases greater than $200,
can I pay via Money Order?
A: Yes, via your local U.S. Post Office.
Q: Do you accept other Money Orders?
A: No.
Q: Can I pay via Personal Check drawn on a U.S. bank?
A: Yes, subject to approval and Bank Collection Fee.
Q: Can I pay via Offical Bank Check?
A: Yes, subject to approval.
Q: Is my money safe with you?
A: Yes, and in the unlikely event I am unable to ship your item,
funds are maintained to cover refund of purchase price.
Q: I see you've been in business for nearly 40 yrs;
do you have a biography of sorts?
A: Yes, click here and scroll down to AllegroBio.
Q: Does your website have a Master-Index?
A: Yes, click here and bookmark.
Q: Your site is an excellent resource;
how may I show my support?
A: Tell your friends; thank you.
FOR SALE - TRADE 
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