Melos Audio Restoration going strong...

I have owned a Melos preamp for several years now. My experiences w/ MAR have been nothing but positive and the work they have performed has been of high quality and great price value. I first sent back my preamp (upgraded from SHA Gold to Maestro) to MAR when one channel went out and Will gave me a very good price on replacing the POTS and threw in some work for free that included replacing some gears on the motorized volume control that were not yet bad but just so I would not have to send it back for that repair in a few years. When a year later one of the POTS started causing me some issues Will apologized and agreed to replace the part for free even though it was well past their 6 month warranty agreement. Once I heard about their all tube upgrade where the MOSFETS were replaced by another board and two more 6922 tubes I was really intrigued and when Jerry quoted me a price I just couldn't say no. While it was in the shop I started thinking about having some caps upgraded and I was really floored when Will told me to send him any caps I wished and he would do that work for free as well! I sent 16 Auric caps in that were replaced on my unit for no charge and this had nothing to do w/ how the unit played, just that I wanted to hear what it would sound like w/ the caps in there that lots of people rave about these days.

My communications w/ MAR were all pleasant and informative. Once I left a message on the service MAR always returned my calls and took all the time I needed to speak to me not only about my unit but audio in general covering everything from cables and tubes to their philosophy on why they do some of the things they do (you know how we audiophiles can get when we get someone that will listen!) No, they do not answer emails daily as it is a two man show but they do I believe pick out one day a week to read all their corresponance and reply to them (spending the other days WORKING ON MELOS GEAR!)

I am in no way affiliated w/ MAR, just an audiophile that enjoys the craftsmanship and incredible sound one gets from some of the smaller companies in the field such as Omega Mikro, MAR, Elrod Power Systems and Audio Magic. I highly recommend anyone wanting to get into tubes to keep an eye out on Audiogon and Ebay for Melos gear as it goes for REALLY good prices and you can be comfortable in knowing that their is a company dedicated to making sure your gear can be properly served for a long time to come. THANKS WILL & JERRY! Keep up the great work.

I have never had to send any of my Melos gear to MAR. I sold my amp (MAT-180) a few month ago and still have the Maestro linestage. Since I still own a Melos preamp I am still interested in reading posts about Melos. Man it was good reading this morning. Thank you all. The passion and dedication for Melos makes me feel proud to own their equipment. I may never sell my preamp for this reason alone.

I want to add to the acknowledgements that have been written in support of MAR. I own Melos equipment and I know that a service company like MAR is required for high-end equipment. I also realize that a service business like MAR can become overwhelming at times. Repairs, maintenance and upgrades seem to all come in bunches. Difficult repairs add to the workload. I know Will to be a very responsible conscientious person. His knowledge, skills and workmanship are excellent. He would not let a piece of equipment leave his shop unless it met or exceeded specs. I am satisfied with MAR and the service they provide. I encourage Melos owners to continue to use the valuable service they provide for Melos equipment. I will continue to use their service. Melos Audio Restoration, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

The positive feedback I'm reading here is in complete contrast to the majority. I have owned my SHA Gold Reference since it was new in 1998 and in that time have spoken to countless Melos owners. Almost anyone who has had the misfortune of having to deal with any incarnation of Melos, MAR or otherwise, has had problems. I would never trust my preamp to MAR because I have seen the work that has been done there. A better alternative would be to contact Carlo Flores. http://melosmods.netfirms.com/ His work and his ethics are impeccable.

I just want to add another voice to this chorus.

I have been a friend of Will since before Melos moved out to Las Vegas and I was one of the investors that lost a lot of money when Melos ultimately proved unable to make it. I also have known Jerry for a number of years since. They are both very dedicated people to what they do.

Will was the former chief technician for Melos and is one of the most knowledgeable people on all of the Melos gear. Will established Melos Audio Restoration several years ago to help owners by maintaining and modifying the equipment that he loves. His operaion in Las Vegas is really a labor of love.

Will works full time and Jerry works with him part time in repairing and modifying Melos equipment. When they take in equipment for work they give best guesses on the amount of time and the cost of making the repairs. They try to be accurate but unfortunately its an imperfect world and sometimes the work takes longer and costs more than they thought. While the equipment is in house Will and Jerry do their level best to find anything that is not working properly and they replace parts and repair areas that experince has taught them are potential problem areas.

I have had a number of pieces of my Melos gear modified by MAR over the last several years, including an MA-333R line and phono, MAX-1 and MAX-3R and a pair of RWT-70s. I also had an MA-110 converted to an MA-220 and an MA-220 Phono converted to a killer all-tube MC phono stage. Currently my MA-333 is back in their capable hands as a guinea pig for conversion to a completely balanced balanced all tube phono and they have a very old Triode 200 that will be upgraded to an MAT-180. Since these experimental pieces take far longer to do and to work out the bugs, I keep some spares (like to MA-220 pieces) around so I can enjoy my music while Will owrks his magic.

I have been to MAR many times. I want to tell everyone that sends them equipment that these guys are very, very busy. There are also a number of customers who have been less than patient and far too often they have had to interrupt their schedules to try to get pieces done to try to satisfy someone who has gotten onto one of these public forums and screamed about them. I want to tell you that you are not doing a service to others, you are doing a disservice. It maens that Will and Jerry have had to stop work on other peoples equipment slowing things down further.

MAR has also been plagued from time to time by the gorillas that work for a number of shipping companies. Twice my RWT-70s were shpped back to me and were damaged in shipment with wires actually pulled out of the borads and foils lifted due to rough handling. The boxes ooked fine of the outside but the damage was ovious when the covers were puled off. Will and Jerry have bent over backwards for me to correct these problems as quickly as they could.

I want to give both WIll and Jerry kudos for the work they do and recommend them to anyone who had Melos equipment that needs repair. There are a number of others who have popped up from time to time to "modify" Melos gear. There are none that actually undersatnd the equipment and deliver the goods like Will and Jerry. Unfortunately MAR is just a two man operation and this work takes time. You have to be patient and have faith but they will come through for you. It alkso pays to ask ahead of time what the work schedule is like befiore you send your gear. If they ae busy and all you want is a mod, you would be wise to wait and schedule it with them so you won't be without for longer than you can bear.

Dave