Alex Peychev/APL-What I know and don't know

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On Oct. 29th, 2005, someone posted on Audiogon, asking if anything beats the EMM gear. There was a response in which someone said, to this effect, "Who cares, vinyl kicks the snot out of any digital". Alex wrote in response, saying the poster had not heard his latest, and that he could assure him that it would in fact be as good as the most expensive vinyl. (please understand this is all paraphrased, but I believe states the essence of what was said by both people).
I responded to both parties above on November 30, simply saying I did not understand how either one could *KNOW* what they were saying, i.e. unless the "vinyl guy" had heard Alex's player under *controlled conditions*, and unless Alex had heard his player vis a vis the best and *most expensive* vinyl, again head-to-head under *controlled conditions*. Alex sent me an unsolicited e-mail (which was perfectly fine), saying basically that he had compared his player to a very expensive turntable, and could hear no difference. I suggested there were better (and DEFINITELY more expensive turntables out there, and gave him suggestions). He thought that was a good idea, and said he planned to do it.
Because Alex seemed like a gentleman who simply had a great deal of passion about music and his product, and because I had heard great things about his products from other audiophiles, I was very intrigued about APL products, and how I would go about hearing/auditioning/buying them. I asked Alex this question, along with asking the cost of said products a day or two after November 30, and have not heard a word from him in response. I do not know why he did not respond to me regarding my inquiry. I do know it caused me to have "bad feelings" about dealing with APL, particularly thinking "if they don't respond to inquiries about products, what would they be like if I have a repair problem down the road?".
Why am writing this? It is not to take "sides" or add to the vitriol. There is enough bad feeling, from what I've read already (I haven't read everything). This is just about what I know and don't know. In addition to the above, I know that many people are posting saying that they've placed orders and paid money, while not receiving their product or hearing from APL for long periods of time. I do not know if any of these posts are true or not (although I suspect the majority are). I know Alex said in a post that he was overwhelmed with orders, that he had been sick, and that he had a new baby. I do not know if those things are true either (although I suspect they are). Finally I know Alex is responding to posts having to do with TRL, the Marigo mat, etc. I do not know why he is doing that, but it does puzzle me a lot.
That's it! I hope you were not looking for a great and insightful conclusion on my part. I was just trying to state what I truly knew and didn't know. Why my interest? Because I'm always looking for the best sound I can get, and APL may have it in the digital world right now. If I HAD to guess what is going on, I would say Alex is very passionate about music, that he loves the excitement and development of products, and that he is VERY proud of his products. I would also guess that he hates dealing with the backlogs, and is easily overwhelmed with what comes after the excitement of development. And finally I would guess that there is no malice involved on his part. Am I myself going to pursue APL products? No, I will not. I will, however, keep following the news regarding APL, and hope the business end gets beefed up so that people can trust APL and the fights can stop. In the meantime, my hope is that those who are not intimately involved in the struggle (i.e. those who have not paid money and are waiting for product or response) can refrain from actions that actually end up making things worse. And I hope Alex and those who support him can take a good hard look at what is going on, stop...and take a very deep breath, and then address whatever business problems there are head on. It would be a shame, if Alex truly has a digital product that sounds as good as the best analog in the world, if it all came crashing down. And if it's not as good as he (and others) say it is, everyone will know that sooner or later. I am SO impressed with passion we ALL have for great music. My hope is that somehow each of us can keep that in awareness.

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Topic - Alex Peychev/APL-What I know and don't know - jfz 06:41:30 02/02/06 (4)

Re: modder malaise - Dave Garretson 09:22:05 02/02/06 (1)

Re: I have never had this problem with Dan Wright of Modwright... - DTB300 10:50:28 02/02/06 (0)

Re: Alex Peychev/APL-What I know and don't know - clio09 09:02:28 02/02/06 (0)

Re: Alex Peychev/APL-What I know and don't know - Gary G 08:35:20 02/02/06 (0)

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