Quality Regional INSTALLER SERVICES working with Apogee Acoustics
(Graz) parts
INSTALLERS
- Since 2001 I have been actively training certain people for the sole purpose
to be able to PROPERLY repair your vintage Apogees - and get them sounding as
they should. These are the people that can help you refit your Apogee speakers
with accurate GRAZ Apogee replacement parts, assist with technical issues and
advise on upgrades. These people can also advise on local speaker availability
and pricing, and are often the first to hear of speakers being offered as second
hand. Some (not all) of these people act as dealers for us in their areas.
Several years on and Installers are coming online all over the world! These
people have proven installation experience, and have been trained in Graz's
original Apogee installation procedures and can repair your Apogee speakers
should you prefer to have the installation done by somebody experienced. If you
need a bass panel repaired, these are the ONLY people I have an arrangement with
that have what it takes to get the job done properly. I only supply
Installer-associates directly with bass ribbons as the task is problematic, and
first time attempts by do-it-yourself repairers invariably have resulted in
compromised and unacceptable results.
Moving Apogees. In all cases it is strongly advised that all shipping to
and especially from the repairers be done in strong shipping crates, well framed
(aluminium) and foamed, designed to take the punishment modern couriers seem to
specialise in! I have had people ship speakers to me with no protective crates,
wrapped only in cardboard with disastrous results. I have a simple rule
personally if you consider your speaker is worth me or an installer-associates
time to work on, then it is worth crating properly! Suggestions for planar
crates can be had via email just ask! If in doubt contacting the repairer is the
safest way, and please understand a repairer cannot be expected to send out a
repaired speaker in unfit packaging, as insurance will not cover such risky
behaviour.
Installation or repair protocol. It is important that the procedure is
followed so as to be sure the speakers are sent at a time that is convenient for
you and the repairer. Storage of Apogee Acoustics planar speakers can be space
consuming, and as there are often postal lead times for sending ribbons it is
important that these arrangements are followed as closely as possible. It is not
uncommon for speakers to be delivered, tested, parts ordered, the wait for
parts, followed by the time to strip down and repair often meaning that a pair
of speakers will occupy workshop space as a pair for 4 weeks or more. Unplanned
intakes can often lead to delays beyond these times so it is always essential to
book! No speakers should ever be sent without first confirming with the
repairer. Stripping down Apogees may also result in finding more parts than just
the ribbons are required, it not being uncommon for clamps to need realigning or
in extreme cases remanufacturing of the odd MDF part. Early Apogees often
require new clamp sets to be made, some need magnet realignment for optimal
results. All this is best assessed in a thorough strip-down test at the
repairers place where pictures will be taken and owners informed of potential
problems. In the case of work needing to be done over and above the basic ribbon
replacement your repairer will contact you with details, sometimes requiring
fairly priced additional charges.
Repairers - types. We have several endorsed repairers, people independent
of Apogee Acoustics /Apogeeribbons but that have a proven track record for using
our ribbon replacements in successful installations over several years. Other
newer repairers exist, and are in what we refer to as a probation period. This
is to take nothing from their ability, but for us to build up a long standing
relationship with the installer to be sure they are working long term to the
same standards as the fully trained ones. All Installers referred to as either
endorsed or probationary have access to the full installation and knowledge base
of Apogee Acoustics/ Apogeeribbons/Perigee and receive priority responses to
technical enquiries from Graz. Apogee Acoustics even have their own
Installer-only forum to debate unusual repairs for the best solution! We are
primarily about offering what we believe is the finest service available for
repairing, restoring or upgrading your speakers.
Regions. There are many countries in the world and we have only a few
repairers, though actually more than Apogee Acoustics had under Spiegel/Bloom.
Although these are growing at a steady rate this will mean that some people may
have to ship their speakers internationally to be repaired should they not want
to work on them themselves. This is unavoidable however as areas of need are
identified more installer partners are sought. We have no rules about regional
control anybody can get their speakers repaired at any installer they feel
comfortable with. Installer labour prices are similar, all have equal access to
Graz for technical backup as Installer-associates. Common sense dictates the
closest installer should be the first choice to minimise freight distance. If
required speakers can be shipped to us in Australia on temporary-export permits
for restoration.
For shipping, we always ship with Schenker. They can also advise on the rules of
temporary-export in your country. Visit http://www.schenkers.com
USA INSTALLERS
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USA East Coast Endorsed – Bill Thalmann
Profile – Bill has had years of working in specialist High End Audio
and Musical instrument repair and has repaired almost all Apogee types, and is
well placed to repair your speakers when you need it. Extras such as fabric
and custom paint finishes are available to order.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY, INC.
5418 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22151
703-764-7005
FAX: 703-764-0079
CELL: 703-501-9419
Click
to email
www.musictechnology.com
and www.talosinstruments.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
USA West Coast Endorsed - Richard Murry
Profile - True Sound Works are a high end audio distributor/retailer that has
an integrated service department to repair your Apogee's using our parts. Extras
such as fabric and custom paint finishes are available to order.
True Sound
Works Inc
2664 Wildhorse Lane
Minden, NV 89423
Office - (775) 267-4244
EUROPEAN INSTALLERS
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 Swiss Endorsed –
Frank
Frank aka "GROOVE-T" has a high end audio shop called
Hifiburg, based
in Rapperswil Switzerland, also in easy reach of surrounding countries such
as Italy. He has owned almost all Apogees, repaired many and has a long association
with the brand. His ribbon installation training was undertaken at Apogee Acoustics
in Australia. Trained by Graz
Hifiburg
Herrenburg 22
Rapperswil
Switzerland
Tel: 055/210 49 26
Click
to email
www.hifiburg.ch
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Netherlands Endorsed - Henk van der Hoeven
Henk has a long association with Apogee’s and repaired almost all types
over the years. Still an Apogee user (Full Ranges), his enthusiasm for the brand,
and accurate carpentry/paintwork make for a one stop Netherlands solution for
Apogee owners.
Click
to email
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
UK
All UK Endorsed - Jon Oakey
Jon Oakey, founder of the www.apogeespeakers.com website, long time owner and
repairer of Apogee’s, UK distributor of Apogee, Perigee Speakers and
Rowen amplifiers. Well placed
centrally in Birmingham to handle all UK Apogee problems. His experience spans
all of the Apogee range. Trained by Graz.
Reality Audio
Tel: 0121 356 2697
Mobile: 07720 426555
Click
to email
www.reality-audio.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Australia/Asia Pacific
People in this area should contact GRAZ
at Apogee Acoustics directly.
Speakers sent by arrangement to the repair/manufacturing centre based on the
Sunshine Coast can be assured of a quality service with attention to detail
and special requirements.
Click
to email
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