Upscale Audio is up front with customers

I've only had good purchase experiences and interactions with them. Recently purchased Western Electric 300B at a great price, one failed in early hours, they were very helpful and prompt in securing replacement.

I've never purchased from them (yet - I would like to try my hand at rolling tubes for my preamp) but I've had the opportunity to meet Kevin and he seems genuine and very easy to talk to. The industry needs more like him.

I bought a used Primaluna in 2007, had questions, needed some help. Kevin was great.  Bought a number of tubes from him later on.

I've purchased several items from them. I have to say, though, getting them to take a VPI TT purchased from them in trade for a new Rega was anything but straight forward. First they flat out refused (!) then eventually I got them to take it. 

They have some good incentives such as discounts for repeat customers. I also found discussions with reps helpful, and certainly not pushy. 

I think Upscale is fine, and I appreciate their tube burn-in services. I’ve bought several dozens of power tubes from them over 15 years, and never had a dud.

But as far as Kevin being a "friend in the business" and "upfront"? Hah! Only as far as it doesn’t impede profits. Which is fine - he’s running a business. It’s neutral; neither good nor bad.

With the whole Tannoy kerfuffle - I feel like he was only forthcoming after the fact, when it was well & clear he had to move on from being their dealer. There’s no way he took those shipments and didn’t see they were NOT being manufactured in Scotland, well ahead of when this was actually disclosed. Then all of a sudden "hey we have these crappy B-stock models at a discount" (not even much of a discount).

Again, its his perogative to run the business as he likes, and he’s clearly very successful at it. But being praiseworthy, beyond business acumen and salesmanship? Nah.