All,

I just found the following statement on the new website:

"The upgrade offer is only valid for the first round of orders, to be placed early in June. There will be no opportunity to defer."

Isn't this a little harsh? I was aiming to leave my upgrade for a month or so, to see how the software and stuff settles out (especially since the tuner isn't available immediately and the VR software is delayed too).

guys@empeg - do you think that you could give us a little more time - I'm feeling like we're being forced to go for it immediately...

Besides I'm getting the mk1 installed in the TT on saturday, so I'll be skint for a little while after that .....

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Paul

Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

To be fair, it's not like you didn't have warning. I think Empeg is being very reasonable with its discount and I don't see why there should be too many more consessions on their part.

...I was aiming to leave my upgrade for a month or so, to see how the software and stuff settles out (especially since the tuner isn't available immediately and the VR software is delayed too).
The software is very good. there has been far worse PC software to come out as version 1 or higher. Windows?
To defer for those reasons is pretty lame. My Empeg didn't have half the functions it does now but i haven't had to outlay anything more for the upgrades

Besides, what are you really waiting for?
-Money? yeah, things can be tough.
-the next best thing? you'll be waiting a while.



____________________________
Murray

To be fair, it's not like you didn't have warning. I think Empeg is being very reasonable with its discount and I don't see why there should be too many more consessions on their part.
I couldn't agree more, than having any sort of discount scheme is great, and I'm not griping about the level of discount, meerly the amount of time that it's being offered for.


...I was aiming to leave my upgrade for a month or so, to see how the software and stuff settles out (especially since the tuner isn't available immediately and the VR software is delayed too).
The software is very good. there has been far worse PC software to come out as version 1 or higher. Windows?
To defer for those reasons is pretty lame. My Empeg didn't have half the functions it does now but i haven't had to outlay anything more for the upgrades

Yes, but I don't have to upgrade. Things that really interest me in the new version are VR, cellphone mute, red faceplate and the tuner - I'm not bothered about the new style of faceplate, since I love the styling of the Mk1. The new volume wheel would be great, but since empeg fixed this in the mk1 software, I've had almost no problem from it and it suits me fine.

Since some of the features that I'm really interested in aren't available from the start, I don't feel terribly happy about having to make a decision on my discount in the first month of release. One month from when the features are ready, fair enough.

Bottom Line: I can't make a decision on wether to upgrade from Mk1 to Mk2 (which is going to cost about 1000 pounds, including installation, etc, not an inconsiderable amount of money for me) until I know how fit for purpose the product is. This isn't possible until the features are available surely?

This is the same argument I use with software companies - I'm not going to buy software based on a PowerPoint presentation, and I wouldn't expect anyone to do the same from me.

Besides, what are you really waiting for?
-Money? yeah, things can be tough.
-the next best thing? you'll be waiting a while.
I've already made my point about the money, and when did I ever say that I wanted the discount on the inevitable mk3 - if the mk2 does even 50% of what I want I'll buy it, but I feel like I'm being pressured into making a decision.

Don't get me wrong, I love the empeg and I'm probably going to get a mk2, but I want to check how the features pan out, before I make a decision. I'm not asking for an indefinite delay in the offering of the discount, since I completely understand the fiscal reasons for not doing this, but I think that to only offer the discount for a (very) short time is a little difficult. I guess that I really object to having my hand forced on this issue.

Rob/hugo, how long is the first round of orders likely to last? (i.e. how fast do I need to make my decision?). What if loads of people get in there before me, because I'm away for a week, etc....

Curious about everyone else's thoughts on this.

Cheers,

Paul.

Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

In practice the discount will be available until we've sold the first batch of 1000 units. If you want to be sure of getting one of these you'll have to order fairly quickly - if you leave it for a while, and we've sold the batch, you lose out.

The discount isn't really the main issue there - the issue is that we're allowing existing clients to skip the queue and get a Mark 2 ahead of the other 10,000 or so clients that are waiting.

Rob

Rob,

I hear you. I completely understand about jumping the queue, but for reasons noted in a different posting, I'm quite happy to wait until they can be order from stock, i.e. I'm more interested in seeing how the technology pans out (and obviously the implmentation of this - which I'm sure will be wonderful) than when I get the player.

Given this, can I wait and still receive the discount, since empeg don't lose out either way (since you will sell the first batch anyway, and I'll get the discount wether I order the empeg now or not.)

I'm really trying to avoid a situation where I am forced to buy the empeg for the discount and then find that I'm not finding the extra features significantly better than the mk1 and then selling the mk2 at a loss, along with a loss on the number of different installations I need (one for the mk2, one for the tuner, one for a decent mike for the VR - or leave it in the box until all of my features are available and do the install then.

Can you see my point here, or do I sound completely unreasonable?

Perhaps, I'll need to state that I don't want to order one in the first 1000 and I'm happy to get one at the end (sep/nov/whenever).

Cheers,

Paul.

Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

This is probably a dumb question, but if I buy a EMPEG unit 2nd hand, will the ability to purchase the MKII at a discount transfer to me, or does it stay with the original purchaser?

You can't blame a guy for askin.....

"I drank what?" - Socrates

RedundantStatementHere

The original owner is the only person that will receive the discount, unless they transfer the discount to you.
-mark

...proud to have one of the first Mark I units

I can transfer the discount to you, but I plan on using the discount on my Mark II unit.

Sorry

I don't blame you. I'd keep it for myself too. :)

Besides, I haven't won it yet. ;)

"I drank what?" - Socrates

I'm with Paul on this one. Personally, I don't want to jump the queue (after all, I already have an empeg) but I'd really like to have the discount when I've got enough money to use it. Also, there would not be much point me taking advantage of the discount anyway at the moment; the Aussie dollar is doing so poorly now that it would wipe out any benefit the discount would give.

Richard.

If the 1000 units from the 1st batch are shipped - when will the next batch be produced and how many units will it include?
(Hopefully I'm in the queue for the 1st batch..)

TeeMcBee

Rob

We talked about this before and now have a understanding that since the person
I bought my empeg doesn't want a mark2 I get his discount. but....do I get his que number?? if not what good is his discount?? All the first thousand will be gone by the time my number comes up.

Thanks,

BasicGuy

Brad Graff
[email protected]

Ok so would a email from the original person be enough?

I'm sorry but I can't expect the person who sold it to me to write a letter and
mail it the Empeg. I think that would be a lot to ask of someone I don't know.

Thanks,

BasicGuy

[email protected]

Richard,

Thanks for the support.

I'm a little worried that this thread is becoming a little more diverse - the statement on second hand empeg's is very clear.

[email protected] - any chance we can discuss this a little more? I'm very concerned about this issue, and with the MK2's coming next week, I'm feeling very pressured to have to put my order in as soon as....

Cheers,

Paul.

Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

We're working on getting the second batch together now. Component shortages abound, though - it's getting even harder to build stuff now!

Hugo

There is no queue for the upgrade deal. It will be offered ahead of everyone else, so you won't have to wait.

Rob

Out of several hundred parts, there's one part missing from the display board. If anyone knows where to get some AD8400AR10's we'd love to know :)

The manufacturer is searching worldwide looking for them, but apart from that they're spending all of monday loading up the robotic assembly machine (we use it in its full capacity, as we have so many different components on the main board) and should start production testing on Tuesday, with a run starting on Wednesday (fingers crossed!).

Plastics were delayed by a couple of days, and metalwork is being a nightmare too at the moment... on the plus side, the new lid stickers have arrived and are very pretty (thanks to Dave & Rob), and we have the first new car stickers too ;)

Hugo

Rob,

Thanks agian for the quick reply.

Thanks,

BasicGuy

This is probably going to be a no, but here goes... =)

The Mk1 upgrade package includes a tuner module (which I don't really need) so is there any chance of not including the tuner module in my mk1 discount in exchange for some money off?? (I know the module is list priced at 55 ukp, but I wouldn't expect to get the full amount off =)

Can't blame a guy for trying, I really want the 12 gig version... =)

Jazz
(List 112, S/N 00030, 4 gig blue)

Or you could sell it on ebay. But I have no idea how much or little it would go for.

-Waiting to replace the hole in my truck with a Mark2

...they're spending all of monday loading up the robotic assembly machine (we use it in its full capacity, as we have so many different components on the main board) and should start production testing on Tuesday

I know it sounds corny and geeky, but can we have some pics of the assembly? (maybe even a quick vid?)
We all have become such a part of the family that seeing the babies being born seems only natural.



____________________________
Murray

You could also install the HDD from your Mk1 into your Mk2 (What size is it?)
Then you wouldn't have to recreate the playlists and download all songs a second time...
Just a suggestion

TeeMcBee

It's a 4 gig disc (as it says in my sig... =) so it's not worth voiding the Mk 2 warrenty...
I want to upload most of the tracks again, as I've discovered that (with my system anyway) MusicMatch 5 at 100% VBR sounds better than the current 256kps I was using (And the files are smaller too... =)
Time to dig out the CD's from storage... =)

Jazz
(List 112, S/N 00030, 4 gig blue)

Uuupsss- I've not seen your signation ;-)

But I think this little difference in the price (compared to the difference in space) is worth spending some bucks more..

Oh yeah - VBR. I recognized this feature a bit late. I'll try with the 128kB ripped songs. But I think I'll have to re-rip again.

TeeMcBee

I actually meant sell the tuner module only.

-Waiting to replace the hole in my truck with a Mark2