Anyone one have issues with Apollon Audio. Issue resolved

[GD Fan]

I am more aggravated with UPS more than anything. I had this shipped straight to them because I would be at work.

UPS didn't even care and luckily everything was fine inside. I was very worried about one set of speaker terminals being broken but got lucky.

I will kindly ask that Apollon double box my next amp.

UPS really is awful. I've had so many shipping problems with them. And almost none with Fed Ex.

Edit: not that that should be read as an endorsement, but rather just anecdotal.

 

[jpslittleworld]

I ordered a March P801 at the same time to handle my center channel. It was cheaper per monoblock, arrived 12 days after ordering from Australia and Australia is a free trade partner with the US so no customs delay. March and apollon were the only ones offering purifi 9040s at the time. Now Buckeye and Nord also offer them.

I'm very interested in the Purifi 9040 and am anxiously awaiting the new test results from Stereophile. I read that review and the measurement section broke my heart. I've been checking out Dylan and Buckeye Amps interviews on Youtube and I like what I have seen of him so far and will most likely be trying him out next and if I have an issue he is only a couple hours away.

I feel bad for him after that review and I hope everything can get straightened out.

 

[jpslittleworld]

For sure... that box looks like it's been to hell and back. Gives new meaning to the sticker "fragile, handle with care".


JSmith

Lets just say I might have lost my temper a little bit when I picked up my package

 

[jpslittleworld]

UPS really is awful. I've had so many shipping problems with them. And almost none with Fed Ex.

Edit: not that that should be read as an endorsement, but rather just anecdotal.

I always preferred UPS and have had great results with them and that is probably more so as to why I lost my cool when I picked up my package.

Unfortunately the quality of EVERYTHING seems to be going down hill these days when it comes to hiring quality employees. Everyone just wants a paycheck and hard work and pride have gone out the window.

Here is the BAR, if you can just come close enough to touch it your hired because we need bodies

 

[Apollon Audio]

I too had some unexpected issues with apollon.

I ordered their Dual mono Purifi 9040 (PET1200). That thing is large and heavy. My shipping box was also flimsy. Side of the case arrived with a ding in it. Box was also damaged so perhaps it happened in transit.

But upon replacing my two March P701 monoblocks (same cables same trinnov channels), the apollon would shut down (mistaken protect mode??) and require unplugging and restarting to allow me to even hear pink noise or to calibrate with the trinnov. The next morning after working all night to calibrate the trinnov, the apollon once again would not work. I struggled mightily but could not get it to work unless it was unplugged each time.

Upon contacting apollon support I told them I had lost confidence in their amp and wanted to take advantage of their 14 day return window. But, oh my gosh, they claimed their higher end amps like the PET1200 are considered “custom orders” and therefore do not qualify for return. I was pointed to some fine print stating that but whenever I see their amps advertised they always include the 14 day return window as a sales incentive. This is their top of the line amp—sigh, I still consider that a dodgy business practice.

So I had to return it back to Slovenia to apollon who on their chat line indicated they would diagnose and repair it same day and send it back. Well that time line stretched to two weeks+ as they could not find why it was doing what it was doing. (I believe they may have thought the issue was my error and probably still do). Tibor finally got involved and said they basically replaced everything inside the amp, replaced the dinged side, and sent it back.

Once the apollon PET1200 was back, I simply again replaced the two March P701 monoblocks but this time the apollon worked fine as I would have wanted in the first place. And yes the flimsy shipping box again was damaged but the amp was not.

It is a wonderfully crafted sturdy case and the unit itself sounds wonderful.

But I will buy from March, Buckeye or Nord next time. It just wore me out. And customs on both ends was incredibly slow and needed my persistent questions or intervention each time.

Also, I did read on the Buckeye AVS forum that he had a software protect bug on another of his purifi modules. So maybe it was a similar issue.

It’s true that diagnosing your amplifier took a bit longer than anticipated, and I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. The issues you encountered were indeed related to a known problem with an early batch of Purifi 1ET9040BA modules. Purifi has acknowledged these issues publicly, as some of the initial modules had problems, such as startup failures or emitting high-pitched noise. Out of the first batches we received, for instance 12 out of 50 modules received, exhibited these kinds of problems. Purifi handled this situation very professionally, replacing the faulty modules and addressing the root cause. I'd like to mention that your amplifier was packed in dual box.

I'm proud to say that we took care of your case with the utmost professionalism. We organized the pickup of your amplifier and returned it to you using the fastest shipping option available, which cost us €700 for both ways. Our goal is always to resolve issues quickly and efficiently to minimize any disruption for our customers.

It’s also worth mentioning that last year we sold a little over 1,000 amplifiers worldwide, and faults were extremely rare. Only a extremely small number of cases involved issues such as a failed module or op amp, which speaks to the reliability of our products. We take great pride in our craftsmanship and attention to detail, ensuring that our amplifiers deliver exceptional performance and durability.

While I understand your preference for buying locally, I believe your statement is somewhat unfair. Regardless of location, we strive to provide fast repairs and support. In the rare event of an issue, we handle all logistics for our customers. All that is required on your end is to pack the amplifier for pickup, a process that would also apply when returning a product locally.

Finally, I’d like to clarify that our flagship premium amplifiers, such as the model you purchased, are custom-built to order and not advertised with a 14-day money-back guarantee, which is described in our terms and conditions. These units are very costly to manufacture and tailored to specific customer needs. However, we always stand by our products and work diligently to resolve any concerns.

I appreciate your acknowledgment of the amplifier’s quality and performance after the repair, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to address your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly if you have any further questions or need assistance in the future.

 

[Apollon Audio]

I always preferred UPS and have had great results with them and that is probably more so as to why I lost my cool when I picked up my package.

Unfortunately the quality of EVERYTHING seems to be going down hill these days when it comes to hiring quality employees. Everyone just wants a paycheck and hard work and pride have gone out the window.

Here is the BAR, if you can just come close enough to touch it your hired because we need bodies

We are currently actively working on improving our packaging, particularly for overseas shipments. For our premium products, we are developing robust flight cases to ensure maximum protection during transit. For our standard, lighter amplifiers, we are implementing a double-packaging system to further safeguard against potential damage.

Unfortunately, we have observed a decline in the handling standards of some shipping carriers, particularly UPS, in certain countries since 2024. While we are unsure of the specific changes that have led to this, we are committed to adapting and enhancing our packaging solutions to mitigate these challenges and ensure that our products arrive in perfect condition.

 

[jpslittleworld]

We are currently actively working on improving our packaging, particularly for overseas shipments. For our premium products, we are developing robust flight cases to ensure maximum protection during transit. For our standard, lighter amplifiers, we are implementing a double-packaging system to further safeguard against potential damage.

Unfortunately, we have observed a decline in the handling standards of some shipping carriers, particularly UPS, in certain countries since 2024. While we are unsure of the specific changes that have led to this, we are committed to adapting and enhancing our packaging solutions to mitigate these challenges and ensure that our products arrive in perfect condition.

Besides our little hiccup I just want to say again.

I am VERY happy with my Apollon amplifier. I really like the case, the gain structure you are using, the output is incredible. It is because the test report ASR did with your Nsx 500 stereo version why I chose to purchase from you. With the exception of the op amps and now a resolution I am very happy.

Thank You

 

[Apollon Audio]

Besides our little hiccup I just want to say again.

I am VERY happy with my Apollon amplifier. I really like the case, the gain structure you are using, the output is incredible. It is because the test report ASR did with your Nsx 500 stereo version why I chose to purchase from you. With the exception of the op amps and now a resolution I am very happy.

Thank You

Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback.

I'm delighted to hear that you’re enjoying your Apollon amplifier and that it has met your expectations in terms of design, gain structure, and performance. It’s particularly rewarding to know that the ASR test report played a role in your decision, as we take great pride in ensuring our products perform exceptionally well.

I appreciate your patience and understanding during the resolution process, and I'm thrilled to know that you’re now very happy with your amplifier. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and feedback like yours motivates us to continue delivering high-quality products and excellent customer support.

Thank you for choosing Apollon Audio!

 

[jpslittleworld]

Mods may I ask to lock thread

 

[Jim Taylor]

Mods may I ask to lock thread

The mods can't check every post. Please click on the word "report" in the lower left hand corner of the frame. A new window will appear in which you can make your request. This goes directly to the mods.

 

[jpslittleworld]

The mods can't check every post. Please click on the word "report" in the lower left hand corner of the frame. A new window will appear in which you can make your request. This goes directly to the mods.

Thank you

 

[AdamG]

I am reopening this thread as a learning opportunity and the problems and expenses with getting a product across vast distances and the things that can happen in transit that are not always the fault of the manufacturer and sometimes out of their hands. Several valid lessons here and setting customer expectations. Seems shipping damage is on the rise and a discussion about suggestions on how to possibly mitigate and/or minimize product damage in transit and setting customer expectations might yield further fruit. I am inclined to leave this thread open. As any lessons learned and improvements will have applications across the entire industry.

We are after all here to learn and improve and we have some of the best and brightest among our Membership.

 

[GXAlan]

Since we are talking about shipping damage, I ordered a JBL S/2600 air freight from Japan. These are big floor standing speakers with the same horn as the DD55000 Everest but a 2-way design. 125 lbs each.

It went FedEx Freight and keeled over during transport. The driver was shocked and it had been strapped to the sides of the truck but somehow the strap got loose.

Damage? None.

Another story. I bought a Linn LP12 from an estate sale. Someone passed away and had instructions for their heirs to list the products on Audiogon. So, you have a LP12 with no dust cover and a rare Monster Cable Sigma 2000 moving coil cartridge with no protection for the stylus… being shipped by someone who has very little knowledge of audio….

I walked them through the strategy for packaging it and it arrived safely.

Last story, I bought a vintage JBL S2S subwoofer in original packaging. The FedEx driver was rolling it like a snowman-making snow ball.

—-
So what are the secrets?

I have been happy with USPS, UPS, and FedEx and have had my horror stories from all three. There can be a lot of variability with the person assigned to your locale, but the thing to remember is that there are HUGE amounts of boxes going through the system and that translates into a lot of automated sorting.

1) Read through this. This talk about tape styles (H-pattern, Tic-Tac-Toe) etc.

FedEx | System Down

While they do not guarantee “this side up”, by placing your label on the top surface, it increases the likelihood that it works that way. You can imagine the automated cameras looking down on a conveyor belt.

2) Your item cannot shake or wobble inside of the box. Double boxes or adding extra room for padding is dangerous if it just allows your item to jostle around.

3) When shipping heavy objects like amplifiers, you need specific protections for the corners. If you are shipping tube amps with heavy transformers, for example, bubble wrap may pop under the weight of the unit itself. It those cases you need dense foam.

Owens Corning Foamular NGX 1” R-5 Project Panel XPS Rigid Foam Board Insulation is amazing for being relatively light (so as not to eat up shipping costs) but being durable. It is better to build a cocoon with this and single box than do any time of nested boxes.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Buildin...ard-Insulation/Owens-Corning/N-5yc1vZbaxxZ3q5

4) For tier 1 global companies (Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, JBL, Magnepan, Meyer Sound), you can often purchase factory packaging at very affordable prices by going through customer service. These global companies that ship heavy products globally have figured out exactly the right amount of padding needed to safely ship products around then world. The JBL Synthesis gear and Meyer Sound gear I have shipped always seem to mix a single sturdy box with dense, product specific foam end caps that hold everything together.

5) Knobs, levers, switches and stuff like that are prone to getting bent or broken. Use blocks of foam or protective shells of some sort to prevent them from being damaged. You can use painters tape to secure things as they will not leave a residue on products within normal shipping times. Be careful around labels/decals when using tape.

6) If you have something truly unobtainium, factor in 2 day shipping.

Takahashi telescopes are some of the most premium telescopes you can buy, before going even more exotic (Astro Physics, TEC, Questar). They mix old school manufacturing like sandcasting with precise optical manufacturing.

They insist that you need to use 2 day air for shipping any refractor in order to minimize shipping damage where even the slightest bit of misalignment of the telescope optics can mar quality.

You can use closed captions with auto translate to see how they make their telescopes.

 

[AdamG]

Since we are talking about shipping damage, I ordered a JBL S/2600 air freight from Japan. These are big floor standing speakers with the same horn as the DD55000 Everest but a 2-way design. 125 lbs each.

It went FedEx Freight and keeled over during transport. The driver was shocked and it had been strapped to the sides of the truck but somehow the strap got loose.

Damage? None.

Another story. I bought a Linn LP12 from an estate sale. Someone passed away and had instructions for their heirs to list the products on Audiogon. So, you have a LP12 with no dust cover and a rare Monster Cable Sigma 2000 moving coil cartridge with no protection for the stylus… being shipped by someone who has very little knowledge of audio….

I walked them through the strategy for packaging it and it arrived safely.

Last story, I bought a vintage JBL S2S subwoofer in original packaging. The FedEx driver was rolling it like a snowman-making snow ball.

—-
So what are the secrets?

I have been happy with USPS, UPS, and FedEx and have had my horror stories from all three. There can be a lot of variability with the person assigned to your locale, but the thing to remember is that there are HUGE amounts of boxes going through the system and that translates into a lot of automated sorting.

1) Read through this. This talk about tape styles (H-pattern, Tic-Tac-Toe) etc.

FedEx | System Down

While they do not guarantee “this side up”, by placing your label on the top surface, it increases the likelihood that it works that way. You can imagine the automated cameras looking down on a conveyor belt.

2) Your item cannot shake or wobble inside of the box. Double boxes or adding extra room for padding is dangerous if it just allows your item to jostle around.

3) When shipping heavy objects like amplifiers, you need specific protections for the corners. If you are shipping tube amps with heavy transformers, for example, bubble wrap may pop under the weight of the unit itself. It those cases you need dense foam.

Owens Corning Foamular NGX 1” R-5 Project Panel XPS Rigid Foam Board Insulation is amazing for being relatively light (so as not to eat up shipping costs) but being durable. It is better to build a cocoon with this and single box than do any time of nested boxes.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Buildin...ard-Insulation/Owens-Corning/N-5yc1vZbaxxZ3q5

4) For tier 1 global companies (Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, JBL, Magnepan, Meyer Sound), you can often purchase factory packaging at very affordable prices by going through customer service. These global companies that ship heavy products globally have figured out exactly the right amount of padding needed to safely ship products around then world. The JBL Synthesis gear and Meyer Sound gear I have shipped always seem to mix a single sturdy box with dense, product specific foam end caps that hold everything together.

5) Knobs, levers, switches and stuff like that are prone to getting bent or broken. Use blocks of foam or protective shells of some sort to prevent them from being damaged. You can use painters tape to secure things as they will not leave a residue on products within normal shipping times. Be careful around labels/decals when using tape.

6) If you have something truly unobtainium, factor in 2 day shipping.

Takahashi telescopes are some of the most premium telescopes you can buy, before going even more exotic (Astro Physics, TEC, Questar). They mix old school manufacturing like sandcasting with precise optical manufacturing.

They insist that you need to use 2 day air for shipping any refractor in order to minimize shipping damage where even the slightest bit of misalignment of the telescope optics can mar quality.

You can use closed captions with auto translate to see how they make their telescopes.

I don’t want to put you on the spot here. So just say that you don’t have time and we will find another sucker, I mean generous volunteer. But your above post would make a most excellent opening post for a new thread on “Shipping Delicate Electronics, sensitive materials and Vintage Kit and recommendations for proper packaging and materials needed to get it from point A to point B.” Feel free to tweak that super long and run on Thread Title.

If you choose to accept this mission. Come back here a drop a link to the new Thread Topic and we can close this thread on a redirect link to a separate and dedicated thread on all things shipping and surviving to Post about it.

Thank you for accepting this Mission and may the Box cutters and Shipping Tape Force be with you…

 

[Golfx]

It’s true that diagnosing your amplifier took a bit longer than anticipated, and I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. The issues you encountered were indeed related to a known problem with an early batch of Purifi 1ET9040BA modules. Purifi has acknowledged these issues publicly, as some of the initial modules had problems, such as startup failures or emitting high-pitched noise. Out of the first batches we received, for instance 12 out of 50 modules received, exhibited these kinds of problems. Purifi handled this situation very professionally, replacing the faulty modules and addressing the root cause. I'd like to mention that your amplifier was packed in dual box.

I'm proud to say that we took care of your case with the utmost professionalism. We organized the pickup of your amplifier and returned it to you using the fastest shipping option available, which cost us €700 for both ways. Our goal is always to resolve issues quickly and efficiently to minimize any disruption for our customers.

It’s also worth mentioning that last year we sold a little over 1,000 amplifiers worldwide, and faults were extremely rare. Only a extremely small number of cases involved issues such as a failed module or op amp, which speaks to the reliability of our products. We take great pride in our craftsmanship and attention to detail, ensuring that our amplifiers deliver exceptional performance and durability.

While I understand your preference for buying locally, I believe your statement is somewhat unfair. Regardless of location, we strive to provide fast repairs and support. In the rare event of an issue, we handle all logistics for our customers. All that is required on your end is to pack the amplifier for pickup, a process that would also apply when returning a product locally.

Finally, I’d like to clarify that our flagship premium amplifiers, such as the model you purchased, are custom-built to order and not advertised with a 14-day money-back guarantee, which is described in our terms and conditions. These units are very costly to manufacture and tailored to specific customer needs. However, we always stand by our products and work diligently to resolve any concerns.

I appreciate your acknowledgment of the amplifier’s quality and performance after the repair, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to address your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly if you have any further questions or need assistance in the future.

Hi thanks for the reply. Sorry but the second shipment was not double boxed. Same weak cardboard with styrofoam corners.

You also have my response confused with the originator. I will not buy locally but will buy from March audio in Australia.

By the way, on neither shipment did I get a power cord. It was not an issue for me as I had spares. Just thought I would mention it.

And regarding UPS they made me pay first-entry customs the second time even though your provided invoice clearly stated it was a return for repair.

I have had better luck with DHL lately. So sad to wiitness UPS just decline.

 

[Audio Science Pal]

Let me know if that is to your satisfaction.

Looks good!

 

[Machismo]

I googled and found this thread. I ordered Apollon Audio amplifier many months ago, they require to pay it in full in advance to their bank account which I did. The original promised delivery time has now been over doubled perhaps tripled, money sure was accepted immediately and no sign of amplifier still. I asked them in their chat several times(because they do not want to say what is their phone number) when it will be delivered and always promised to be next week, last time they said it should be delivered was the end of last year! If I do not get my amplifier in a few weeks I will report them to the police for fraud, money gone and no amplifier, I also very clearly told them to let me know if there are any delays, but the are just quiet. And yes, the amp cost OVER 5000 dollars!

Also they gave excuse in the chat that they "are busy with black friday orders" Well what kind of a company makes a customer wait who has paid a month before the black friday a full price, and then gives some discount to others which then will be somehow ahead of line even they ordered a month after me? I mean why would they even say that, insanity.

 

[Golfx]

I found persistence was necessary. You can also email them and ask to involve Tibor the owner. Perhaps he will respond to your post?

And you can continue to complain on forums like this one. Apollon Audio needs a good business reputation. This forum gave them an excellent review. Poor customer response can undo that.

 

[JSmith]

delivery time has now been over doubled perhaps tripled, money sure was accepted immediately and no sign of amplifier still

Gee, that doesn't sound appropriate at all.

Their site says;

How much is your lead time?
Estimated lead time is 14 working days for stereo amplifiers/monoblocks, 21 days for multichannel amplifiers and 30 working days for all Premium amplifiers. Please note that weekends and public holidays do not count as working days.

So coming up to 90 days now for a premium amp?


JSmith

 

[Machismo]

They do not always respond to emails either, I noticed. Also if I would start to remind them daily for something that I have already paid and which belongs to me anyway, it is like work for me, and I do not work for free.