Avoid New-Turntable Nightmares! Our Analog Lab QC Process w/ Upscale’s Kevin Deal and Kat Ourlian 

This guy crack’s me up, sometimes I don’t even care what he’s selling he’s just naturally entertaining.

I just received a Rega Planar 6 from Upscale. I recieved pictures and updates as promised. Upscale's service was spot on. My salesperson, Bill, was cordial, informative and knowledgeable. I will be back for more goodies!!

Holy Cow!!! Kat is much faster at setting up a table, then Michael Fremer.

Upscale is awesome. I wouldn't hesitate to buy ANYthing from them and have it shipped. I live 3000 miles away too. They know what they're doing and stand behind their products.

Kat is the best!. 2 years ago she recommended a ClearAudio Performance DC with a HANA cartridge, and I never looked back. She is the real "Deal!" :)

OMG!!!!!What I wouldn’t give you or something like you in the Midwest! (Cleveland area) The anxiety, the lack of honest advice, the mistakes that cannot be rectified!!!! You are absolutely FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS 👏👏👏. Thank you so much for your videos. I’d like to have a Linn or VPI and advice for a cartridge,etc. Even more importantly, not looking down at a person who can’t afford of the most expensive gear! But Cleveland is a long way from California😫C’est la vie.

I bought a Super Prime Scout ~2 years ago and had Kat set it up for me. The website says the blems on the Super Prime Scouts so small, they aren't even worth mentioning. The blems on mine are pretty bad, but Kat was up front about it, sent me pictures, and told me if I was cool with that deck, she'd throw in an upgraded motor. I took it. I followed the directions included with my turntable and have been in love with it ever since. Thank you to Kevin, Kat, and the whole crew at Upscale.

Kat's awesome.I received a turntable that developed a fault in the first few months (not Upscales fault) and Kat couldn't have done more to make it right. Arranged for a return to the distrbutor, then had my cartridge shipped back to Upscale and then mounted it to a new table, with which i couldn't be happier with.

Thank you for the full disclosure; the candid comments further reinforced your excellent customer service. ..and are human. Hope this one gets around to beyond Subscribers as a testament of your Integrity🌟🌟🎶🌟🌟

I’ve been in retail over 30 years. Broke my heart to hear you guys were treated that way. I’ve bought most my gear from you for one reason! Your good people and you care. I thank you with all my love of music. You do it right! I’ve had that customer several times over the years Almost give up your first born to make them go away and never come back. Plain and simple, they suck! You guys are the best. It usually takes me about a week to get one of those idiots out of my soul. Thanks from being the wonderful people that you are!

I recently purchased a MoFi Ultradeck + M turntable from Upscale and I appreciate that Kat's Analog team did exactly what they said they do to EVERY turntable and I welcomed the few extra days of waiting to be sure my rig was set up correctly. All I did was check and adjust that the turntable was level on my audio rack and the vertical tracking force. I was up and running without any issues and the table sounds glorious. Thanks to the Analog team at Upscale! I won't shop anywhere else.

I have had nothing but success with Kat and Upscale …they actually go out of their way to help and dial in your rig 💜🎶

Kat and Upscale Audio are professional, excellent customer service, helpful and friendly. I couldn't recommend them more.

And that's among the reasons why, even here in TX, I continue to shop UA. Kevin is the man.

I loved that you sent pics of my Turntable being set up, but I want the Box to check that says Set up by Kat!! Seriously Richard forwarded my pics and the great extra service was Awesome!

Not too long ago I purchased a phono stage from the original Upscale buyer. Ran into a problem attaching a low output MC. I can say the service I received from Kat helping resolve the problem and getting me running couldn't have been better were I their customer!! Thank you

Kat needs a raise. 👍😎

"we troubleshot" Simple past of "troubleshoot"!!! That Dr. Feikert is one handsome TT!

Beauty & Babble-on lol! I don't do dealers but Kevin is the obvious go-to. All in the trade would do well to emulate the ethos and fun that Kev n' Kat exude! Enjoy Your VINYL! 🎙🙉

Guys Kat and Kevin are the real deal. I visited them personally and spent 4 hours ; for my gear. When I got received my Rega instructions were clear and fool proof for someone who can’t turn in iPhone.:)

Kevin I just love these videos and so pleased to see Kat feeling so much more comfortable in the vids. I would love to work with you guys. Cheers Tony

Love Kevin and Kat! Thanks for keeping the vinyl and analog community alive!

Awesome video and beautiful turntable. I plan to buy a Volare in the near future and will go through you for that expert set up.

Unfortunately that’s the world we live in these days where people just post bad and angry reviews just because they’re not happy with any little shit. I see too many reviews where people are posting bad reviews about a product because the may have had a bad shipping experience or something non- related to the functioning product itself. Also, people buying shit they have no damn idea how to use or assemble and then post a bad review about that instead of posting a review about the product. It’s just downright ridiculous.

I had an AWESOME experience when I bought my Mofi StudioDeck from Upscale Audio. Kat kept me informed during the table's journey to me. Thanks Kat and Kevin!

Kevin and Kat I bought all my gear from your guys! I love your videos! That's how I got a VPI Super Prime Scout and your team mounted my cartridge it set it up perfectly for me. And yes I received pictures of the setup taken at your lab/bench!!! My system sounds great!!! I love you guys!!! Thank-you!!!

In December of 2019 I bought one of Upscale’s VPI Super Prime Scouts and the Soundsmith MkIII Zephyr ES cartridge. Wonderful combination recommended and flawlessly set up by Kat. My vinyl became alive! However, disaster struck in July of 2022. Using a can of compressed air from about 14 inches away (btw NEVER use compressed air on your cartridge!) the nozzle broke free and hit the needle with the accuracy of a seasoned sniper! Blessedly Soundmith has a re-tip policy of only 20% of the cost of the cart. When Peter Lederman finished his magic at Soundsmith he sent it to Kat at Upscale where I had already shipped the VPI’s tone arm. Quick like a bunny Kat had the re-tipped cart perfectly mounted and back to me. I was down less than three weeks! I’ve made other purchases from Upscale Audio with only one rule of thumb….I consult Kat first! Thanks Upscale Audio!

I'll be honest. I don't agree will all the content of every video you post on RU-vid. But.....this video has literally blown me away. I live in the UK and you would find it very hard to find people with your passion and expertise. The dealers over here are very knowledgeable but simply cannot set up turntables like you do. And the ones that do, charge alot for the install. From what I have seen over the years, you are the best at what you do. Can you open a branch over the pond please. Congratulations. Love you guys.

Retail sales are tricky. Sometimes the sale goes haywire unintentionally. It's how you finish to make the customer happy. Thanks for a great vlog.

Just ordered a VPI from Upscale. I have already purchased a Primaluna amplifier set and tubes from Kevin and Upscale and couldn't be happier. Hoping Kat will set up my table and that it ships in the next 3 to 4 days. I love this company!!!!

Loved it... funny my Technics SL-15 have it since 1984 .... Just got a new SL-1210 GR so I could be free from the t4p cartridges. This machines last a lifetime !!! I bet my new 1210GR will be with me till I die lol even passing to my kids and nephews !!! they will outlast me. Congratulations guys .. you are awesome. Wish you could be in Europe.

I bought a Mofi table from Upscale. I sent them a new cartridge (that they don't carry) to install and requested that they use Lofgren A template. They did an excellent job and I've been very pleased with the high level of service and attention I received.

Kat set up a VPI for me in 2019 and it was perfection. I had already purchased the Hana cart I wanted to use on this deck. I was able to send it to her for mounting with no additional charge. I don't know if they still do this with the busy pipeline, but back then she sent me pics and clips of the process and testing. She even checked in later to see how it was playing. I will always purchase my hi-fi gear from this company.

So happy I bought my MoFi Studiodeck with Mastertracker cart from Upscale! Best experience ever! From advice to sales to set-up and bulletproof packaging, everything was first class. I'm enjoying vinyl more than ever because of the confidence I have in your set-up. Only downside: I constantly want to feed my table new audiophile vinyl $$$ Thanks Upscale!

I can attest to the perfection, or lack there of turntables. So my first turntable is a project debut three which had an issue with a mis manufactured platter, project sent me a new one and all was good. And then stepped up to a Rega planar three which was a great table although when I got it it had a problem with excessive hum due to loose wires inside the tonearm. The sound organization made it right and sent me a replacement arm and all was good. My third and current turntable is a clearaudio concept. The built-in antiskate while not normally adjustable had an issue with it being too much of a good thing, of course my local Clearaudio dealer adjusted it and all was good. My point being on all three instances is that I am in complete agreement with sometimes you just have issues with equipment luckily in my case the companies I bought these products from or their distributors were more than happy and willing to fix and remedy the situation

I have a Rega Planar 6 I got from Upscale Audio two years ago and it has worked flawlessly. The pics they sent me while it was being set up with the cartridge and phono stage was pretty cool. Don’t know if I’ll ever need another turntable but if I do it’ll damn sure be from U.A!

Upscale audio wow you guys are the best so happy with my VPI thank you so much

Wow ! You're advice is a No-Brainer !!

Great job UA! And Kat is very adorable!!

Very informative video...thanks.

And where is that cart now, Cat? It's on my deck. HEY-YO! And nice music accompanying the turntable set-up. The soundtrack to me working on my rig is swearing.

I have bought from these people, they are are the best. Nothing but good things to say about them.

Purchased my MoFi Fender from Upscale. After the break-in period I have to say it sounds wonderful. There was a slight tracking issue that was resolved rather quickly. I can say that if I had to put everything together myself, I would not have been able to. Thanks to Sean-Paul.

This video convinced me to buy my turntables from you guys. I got a rega planar 2. Take your time setting it up lol.

A very very nice t-shirt! Big Like! 👍👍👍

I have been watching your videos for a while and this one wins the cookie. I have never purchased anything from Upscale Audio, but if I ever need something that you carry, I will make a point to purchase from Upscale Audio just for the experience if nothing else. I have three turntables, all vintage direct drive for the early 70s and late 80s and I am pleased with them, but in the unlikely event that they all go south on me, I will likely get a new table from you guys just for the service you offer. I am sorry to hear of the nasty experiences you had! Sounds like you may have been dealing with a typical audiophile, I have met many that act like that. It is like the alternate name for a "karen". Sounds like the kind of person who is never satisfied with anything. Too many people like that in the country in my opinion. People need to calm down. I set up my own turntables because I took the time and made the effort to learn how (I'd still check that box though as it may save me further headaches. It would certainly cut my time down). Plus to offer that service at no cost, that is unheard of! With most things in life patience is required and perfect doesn't exist. I also studied vinyl record restoration for two years and that is my hobby (not something one learns in a day, I'm still studying an aspect of it I discovered unexpectedly. I'm a lifelong learner anyway). It is labor intensive and takes time, but so worth it! It isn't cheap initially, but pays for itself quickly and saves more money than it costs. I will admit it is a labor of love, you have to want to do it otherwise you will run out of the room at the mere suggestion. It is the same with food, good food takes time to prepare.

Love the T shirt!!

She should do a few vids about setting up turntables

you guys are awesome :)

It's great to be able to have a table come to you already set up and ready to go, without having to buy everything you need to set it up correctly yourself (if you have the knowledge, patience and eyesight). I'd be less likely to futz with settings though if it was professionally set up before it got to me. Funny thing mentioning the Hana issue - I have an ML that loses its left channel when I change it to another headshell; I end up giving all of the leads an extra push on the cart terminals and that usually brings the channel back. If you trash a $1200 ML and it's out of warranty or you tear the stylus off, Hana will give 30% off a new one in trade. Yippie. Soundsmith put a new boron cantilever on mine with a microline stylus and it's sounding pretty good so far.

Very cool!

Ah yeah. Best place to shop for HiFi. I’m looking for a preamp now to match my primaluna monoblocks.

Please guide me on my journey, audio that it.... JK, ty guys so much. Kevin is an honest guy and have bought from him so many times before.

Hoping one of these days I'll be able to order a Euphoria from you guys. Had my eye on it for such a long time now but life gets in the way everytime I think it's time to buy. Great video

Excellent

Nice video ! I've always wondered how such delicate items can be shipped SAFELY across the USA and still maintain its integrity after all the fine turning and fine adjustments are made by the team at Upscale Audio ?

Love the Alpha Romero t-shirt.

Yes, analog source is much more involved than digital sources. It takes a lot of work and I doubt that most gear retailers offer the kind of service you guys do. All the best.

OMG I need the tube lamp on the wall! Where did you find that? or is it custom made?

Wow what’s that amazing speaker in the background? Is that a tannoy? Kev please make a video on them!!

Kevin, this video has been a revelation and further validation that I should stick with digital sources - thanks !

LOL-- lol--- great vid uncle Kevvy

Kat rocks!

Where did you get that Tube sign behind you? I want one!

Kat is the turntable queen

Sean Paul @ UPSCALE did my Dr. FIECKERT turn table perfectly.

Yay Kat!

Do I need a digital scale to set up the cartridge and arm?

An Alfisti :-) Nice...So what model do You drive?🙃

You know what would also be nice? If you could access a how-to set up videos for each brand of TT that you sell. I would check that box, too, but eventually, you have to learn how to do it yourself.

I’m sorry Kevin Panosonic Technics 1200G is made by hand before it was moved to Malasia .

Great one! You both are so cute and witty together, amazing! If I would reside in the US, I would definitely buy my analog rig from you guys. Nice turntable btw. 🙂

is Kat Ourlian still employed at your Upscale Audio shop ?

Kat is so pretty!

wayne carr

my P6 arrived with the tracking force untouched. so look before you play

Crazy customers suck. I have been a home builder for 30 years and have had a few.

If/when I need a new table I know I'll buy it from Upscale. Quick question--why a check-box? Why not just do it to every rig? (I can imagine why, but I'd like to hear the real reasons.)

Can I have the cartridge?🤠

Kat, you’re the best…what do you think about my McIntosh MC152, C49 and vintage MC 30 mono blocks (the latter driving Klipsch Heresy IIIs and the former driving Sonus faber Lumina IIs in my sailboat)? Some day when I move back on terrafirma I will ask you kindly to sell me and setup my hi-fi turntable :)

Don't forget Regas come with a lifetime guarantee

Oh my my...

Dr F's customer service is nonexistent. They simply ignore customer emails. If they go wrong you're screwed, so having a great dealer is critical. Rega is a much safer buy.

People act like jerks because they know retailers will give them free stuff to go away. It’s extortion and it frequently works. Nice customers just need to be happy with the good karma they pass along.

Kevin and Kat's comments are 100% but... putting the TT back into the box and shipping to the final customer is also not 100%. If you have an experienced local hifi dealer who knows what they are doing, this is the best course of action. I realize that finding a dealer who can support you might be difficult depending where you live, but if you are in a major centre, you probably will have a good dealer nearby. Often the turntable is broken by the end user when they unpack it - you can't avoid stupid sometimes.

Panasonic 1200G when it was made in Japan was hand made. I own the 1200G and its an amazing turntable.

I would trust you guys with my children. Unfortunately I can’t afford you ☹️

❤👍

…but what is that Tannoy in the back?

Hi there

She can set up my turntable...

But then when people spend $$$$$ on high end audio gear and theres a problem its not going to sit well with short tempered types. Im thinking maybe when spending this kind of cash you shouldnt have to check a box to have it set up and or checked out before sale it should be done as a matter of course on a high end item for the very reasons you outlined,

Has Kevin shrunk or Kat grown?

Got to luv a girl that is into hi-fi.

Ignore the hackers on here that promise you something free if you text them.

Then why not check per default, or have an opt out instead of opt in 😂…. Just sayin

I've got a perfect turntable . It's a Bryston CD player

Easy solution. Buy a CD transport. Clarity without the vinyl distortion.

Customer not always right. Some people just borne… 🤯😤🤡