Spectral Computers, aka "Digital Corp" sucks ballz!!!

[Jay Kahrs]

A few weeks back just before TapeOp Con, the thermal controller on my RM5000 died & took the whole PC out, the processor fans stopped spinning & it went into a thermonuclear meltdown mid-mix...actually, during the last change of the LAST mix for an artists EP.

Thankfully (or so I thought!) I was going to be out of town for TapeOp Con so I figured it could be fixed while I was gone and experienece no downtime since I use the thing at least 3-4 days a week on average.

It died over a weekend & I got the RA# first thing Monday morning and had it sent out overnight. The repair process was a little bumpy to say the least but nothing tripped my internal alarms. I talked to them the Tuesayd I got back and they said the computer was going out that day...but a few days later I got a call from them with my tracking number saying it had gone out last Thursday, ground...so it wouldn't be back in time for my Monday drop-dead.

Ah well. I wasn't happy, but what can you do? At least it was on it's way back, good thing too...because I have things to mix, clients to make happy & bills to pay!

My precious droid returned from Spectral Computers, aka..."Digital Corp" today...

The horror...

The horror...

For starters, when I cracked the box open and removed the top I saw my R2D2 sitting there totally covered inside & out with packing peanuts and NOT covered in a plastic bag or anything to protect it.

It gets WORSE...when I pulled it from the box I heard things rattling & shifting inside the case, loose washers & screws that upon further inspection are some or all of the screws tha are missing from the motherboard!

But get this...

IT WAS MISSING A DRIVE!!!

Not only that, but it wouldn't boot either!!!

WTF!?!?

I called Spectral, aka 'Digital Corp' immediatly after discovering all this and talked to Gil, who in previous conversations regarding the repair of my droid said he was the 'owner' and that's where things REALLY got ugly.

He said he'd call me back in short while & he did return the call in about 20-30 minutes...

After I told him about the problems, Gil was feeding me a line that they had shipped someone else's computer to me by accident and was reading me some foreign serial number and saying that I wrote that on the RA form. So after a few minutes of that BS, he changed his story and said that they had shipped the computer back to me in a new box.

Ok Einstein...then tell me why's it got my handwriting ALLLLLLLLL over the box and how my handwriting also ended up on the shipping label...

...crickets...

On the missing drive, he "doesn't know HOW that happened" and was swearing up & down that it's in the middle slot of the CPU, couldn't I see it?!? After all, the computer went through a three person, 75 point inspection!

I kept blinking my eyes.

Nope.

Not there! LOL

I guess two of the three guys slept through the inspection & the third dude skipped 73 of the 75 points!

The booting or lack thereof?

"Isn't there a disc inside the machine?! There MUST be!"

Still blinking...still not there.

He asked; "Am I sure?"

Yeah buddy, I'm calling you & saying this becuse I have nothing better to do! HAHAHAHA!!!

"That's impossible!"

And at that point I asked if he was callng me a liar...

ehhhhhhhh

Mr. Gil said that it all sounded like 'shipping damage' (huh?!) and he wanted to file a claim with FedEx and really...whuz FedEx gonna say about the missing drive or the dead boot??? Anyway, a FedEx claim would take weeks & weeks to settle once they pick up the DAW & inspect the boxes and really...it would be totally denied since the box showed ZERO signs of shipping damage and the 'g-shock' hadn't been tripped.

In effect...he's trying/wants to file a fradulent FedEx claim.

Can we say "not cool?"

I thought so!

The conversation got really really ugly when I told him that I didn't want it repaired because I didn't trust them to "fix" it, they already had a shot at that.

I said I wanted a new machine.

At that point, to cut it REAL short...Gil (the supposed owner) said;

"I'd rather see you in court then deal with this."

I shit you not!!!

My RM5000 is under a year old, it's going back to Guitarget tomorrow.

Thanfully the salesweasel I bought it from (Dave Cox at GC Springfield, NJ) is a good guy & has been amazing with everything I've thrown at & requested from him in the past. When the computer commited suicide a few weeks back (I guess it hated my mix! LOL) he had ZERO hesitation digging into it in the middle of a busy Saturday afternoon. When I called the store today to leave a messge for him, the guy I spoke to remembered my coming in with the box & was horrified when I gave him the three minute version of this so I have no doubt they'll make it right.

At least I hope so!!!

Needless to say, there's no f'in way that I'm going to deal with "Digital Corp" for the remainder of this saga...

In the meantime I've got people waiting for mixes and now my July is starting to backup and look kinda ugly...

Great.

[DAWgEAR]

If true -- and Jay is well repected so I have no reason to think otherwise -- a company with an attitude like that doesn't deserve customers.

fuuck 'em.

[RainbowStorm]

Jay Kahrs, that's really THE HORROR! It's really annoying when all the salesman should do is to shut up and crawl to the cross and say we messed up this big time, none of this is your fault. In fact we think this mistake was such a big issue that we want to give you an extra unit for free besides correcting all the faults in your current unit. We are really sorry about this...! Instead the salesman goes: No that can't be true, what did you do... and all of a sudden you are being thoroughly examinated which slowly turns into a painful contamination like the one that happened to you...!

Let's put it this way, I hope you never ever do business at 'Digital Corp' again!

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by DAWgEAR

If true -- and Jay is well repected so I have no reason to think otherwise -- a company with an attitude like that doesn't deserve customers.

fuuck 'em.

Yeah dude.

It's all true.

Wish it wasn't.

If I was THAT good at making stuff up I'd be writing movie scripts or books instead of making records.

RStorm...yeah...you totally nailed my feelings on this!!!

Anyway...I originally put this into the 'computer' forum and George moved it for whatever reasons.

In the meantime, Greg Wells had started a thread in 'High End' a few weeks ago asking about Spectral computers in general and I'm gonna update that thread rather then this one.

Screw it.

I HATE doing stuff like this but I gotta make some noise!

Mr. Moose's Sad Spectral Saga

[RoundBadge]

Sounds like this piece of dung[Gil] needs a few lawsuits placed firmly up his rectum

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

Sounds like this piece of dung[Gil] needs a few lawsuits placed firmly up his rectum

Ehhh,

I'm just hoping they can get it fixed 'right' this time since the first attempt didn't go so well! LOL

Just to keep this thread current...the computer went BACK to GC yesterday and Gil gave Dave (my amazing guy at Guitarget Springfield, NJ) an earful too...

Check the other thread for details on THAT!

But the thing left for Spectral again yesterday. GC shipped it overnight and Spectral is supposed to fix it & flip it back around to GC overnight so I can have it in my hands on Wednesday or Thursday.

Considering that Monday & Tuesday are shot 'cause of the holidays that's not so bad.

As long as it comes back working anyway!!!

Since it's going directly to GC we'll be able to test it there in the store before I bring it to the studio...any problems...well...

I'll be walking out with a refund check 'cause I'm NOT gonna take another box from these Bozo's!!!

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

I'll be walking out with a refund check 'cause I'm NOT gonna take another box from these Bozo's!!!

thumbsup thumbsup

[ddageek]

Jay find your recipt if you payed via credit card call the company that issued the card !
They will have the power to get someone at GC Who Matters to do something with spectral!

[brother]

Although this doesn't help the original poster, ADK makes a great music computer. I did extensive research checking out computer workstations and checked out every company I could find. The only other contender than I found out there where price met performance and then reputation and solidity of the company was sonicalabs. I would look into these when considering a computer workstation.

[AdamJay]

This Gil guy sounds alot like Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character in "Punch Drunk Love"

You could always try to nail his ass on insurance fraud. Sounds like he was keen for some of that action.

[GadgetMaestro]

I bought an Apple G5 last year and only had problems with it, it was loud and I had many problems with it. I had to send it in 3 times until I got my money back. I will never buy an Apple again.
After researching for 2 weeks and talking to many users I chose Spectral Computers, I personally know 2 people who own one and swear by it, all I could read about them was positive and great. I then walked into Guitar Center and as soon as I saw the RM 7000 rack mount system I fell in love with it and I bought one right away. It is a solid machine, everything worked right away, this machine was really tweaked by professionals. It was almost silent and my applications loaded without a squeak, my cards were immediately recognized and worked right away, the Spectral runs much faster than the Apple G5 I had.
Whenever I needed some help and called Spectral, immediately I got a hold of a technician who walked me through my questions very courteously.
A month after I bought the computer I had a major power surge in my street and my TV blew up (it was time for anew one anyway), several other appliances I had got fried along with my Spectral. I called the same day to confess to Spectral that it was my fault and ask how much it would cost me to fix, they escalated this to Gil, the manager and he immediately calmed me down and assured me that they will take care of it under warranty even if it was my fault. That was COOL. I remember Gil telling me that money was not an issue and the only thing that was important is getting me up and running again.
I packed my Spectral in the original box and sent it back to Digital. one day after they received my computer I got a phone call from Gil and he personally notified me that I fried the power supply and the motherboard. They replaced the bad parts and shipped it the same day (they held the computer for 24 hours).
When I got the computer back all of my programs were intact and the computer looked like new, they apparently cleaned it and packaged it as new.
I have used the computer for 6 months now after the event and never had any problems with it, any time I needed support from Spectral they were there for me.

I can not believe the experience you described J. 'Moose' Kahrs, this does not sound like the same company that I have been dealing with.
I am writing this because it is hard to find good service in this world, and Spectral was the best service I ever got, not everyone can build good systems and I had many computers in the past, nor does everyone know or want to put one together, certify it and support it properly. I need support and I am willing to pay for it I have no time for experimentation my time is worth money.

[rainsinvelvet]

odd that you chose this topic to write a glowing review on a product that is getting a very negative review from a long time posting gearslut.

Just struck me as interesting, thats all..

ERic

[Improv]

"GadgetMaestro"? lol, wow... do companies really think such tactics go unnoticed? tutt

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Improv

"GadgetMaestro"? lol, wow... do companies really think such tactics go unnoticed? tutt

No shit to thatstike
I was thinking the same excact thing improv..
interesting first post.."GadgetMaestro"tutt

[confooshus]

Originally Posted by GadgetMaestro

I bought an Apple G5 last year and only had problems with it, it was loud and I had many problems with it. I had to send it in 3 times until I got my money back. I will never buy an Apple again.
After researching for 2 weeks and talking to many users I chose Spectral Computers, I personally know 2 people who own one and swear by it, all I could read about them was positive and great. I then walked into Guitar Center and as soon as I saw the RM 7000 rack mount system I fell in love with it and I bought one right away. It is a solid machine, everything worked right away, this machine was really tweaked by professionals. It was almost silent and my applications loaded without a squeak, my cards were immediately recognized and worked right away, the Spectral runs much faster than the Apple G5 I had.
Whenever I needed some help and called Spectral, immediately I got a hold of a technician who walked me through my questions very courteously.
A month after I bought the computer I had a major power surge in my street and my TV blew up (it was time for anew one anyway), several other appliances I had got fried along with my Spectral. I called the same day to confess to Spectral that it was my fault and ask how much it would cost me to fix, they escalated this to Gil, the manager and he immediately calmed me down and assured me that they will take care of it under warranty even if it was my fault. That was COOL. I remember Gil telling me that money was not an issue and the only thing that was important is getting me up and running again.
I packed my Spectral in the original box and sent it back to Digital. one day after they received my computer I got a phone call from Gil and he personally notified me that I fried the power supply and the motherboard. They replaced the bad parts and shipped it the same day (they held the computer for 24 hours).
When I got the computer back all of my programs were intact and the computer looked like new, they apparently cleaned it and packaged it as new.
I have used the computer for 6 months now after the event and never had any problems with it, any time I needed support from Spectral they were there for me.

I can not believe the experience you described J. 'Moose' Kahrs, this does not sound like the same company that I have been dealing with.
I am writing this because it is hard to find good service in this world, and Spectral was the best service I ever got, not everyone can build good systems and I had many computers in the past, nor does everyone know or want to put one together, certify it and support it properly. I need support and I am willing to pay for it I have no time for experimentation my time is worth money.

This is amazing... When this thread started, I sent an email to info@spectralcomputers.com I mentioned that someone on a newsgroup got screwed over by Gil, and that I was gonna spread the word about not buying their computers. Apparently ol' Gil went searching and found this thread! ROFL He's pretty smooth... I think more people should email him.

[confooshus]

I'm just reading back over it... I love how he refers to the computer as "my Spectral". Who would say that? It reminds me of commercials when they say "Mmmmm! I love this Kraft Brand Macaroni!" As if normal people refer to products by their brand name... Anyway, all this typing is making me thirsty for some Tropicana Orange Juice.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by confooshus

He's pretty smooth... I think more people should email him.

Smooth as a nutty turd
Yeah and tell him he's a completedfegad idiot

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by confooshus

This is amazing... When this thread started, I sent an email to info@spectralcomputers.com I mentioned that someone on a newsgroup got screwed over by Gil, and that I was gonna spread the word about not buying their computers.

Oh really!?!?!

Then maybe THAT explains the resolution to this!!!

Gil called late Friday afternoon...I was on the other line with a client I had to call him back.

Well, not only did they replace the missing 160 gig drive with a 250, but they threw me an extra gig of RAM so now there's a total of 2 gigs and he extended my warrenty to the end of the year since was due to expire in August.

Not just that!

But they shipped it BACK to Guitarget UPS overnight, Saturday delivery so I could get back to work ASAP!!!

Rock on!!!

He apologized for his behavior about a thousand times and was still of the mindset that someone from FedEx mucked with it in transit. Apparently one of the processor fans had a broken wire right next to where the missing drive was sitting!!!

Eh, whatever. At least it's all back & running smooth again!

Already got the first mix of this record framed out on the console...MAN does it ever feel good to get back to work!

[RoundBadge]

Such good news Jay..
I love happy endings!! thumbsup

[rainsinvelvet]

Cool! I'm glad to hear that he changed his toon once he got wind of the "power of the internet" e....

Good times!

ERic

[Improv]

Nice one.

Perhaps a little thread resubjectification is in order? Seems a little harsh now with such a swift resolution.

[sedohr]

I´m just excited to read future posts from GadgetMaestro

Kalli

[confooshus]

I forgot about this thread, I just checked back up on it.... Glad it worked out for you! I feel so... empowered....

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by GadgetMaestro

I bought an Apple G5 last year and only had problems with it, it was loud and I had many problems with it. I had to send it in 3 times until I got my money back. I will never buy an Apple again.
After researching for 2 weeks and talking to many users I chose Spectral Computers, I personally know 2 people who own one and swear by it, all I could read about them was positive and great. I then walked into Guitar Center and as soon as I saw the RM 7000 rack mount system I fell in love with it and I bought one right away. It is a solid machine, everything worked right away, this machine was really tweaked by professionals. It was almost silent and my applications loaded without a squeak, my cards were immediately recognized and worked right away, the Spectral runs much faster than the Apple G5 I had.
Whenever I needed some help and called Spectral, immediately I got a hold of a technician who walked me through my questions very courteously.
A month after I bought the computer I had a major power surge in my street and my TV blew up (it was time for anew one anyway), several other appliances I had got fried along with my Spectral. I called the same day to confess to Spectral that it was my fault and ask how much it would cost me to fix, they escalated this to Gil, the manager and he immediately calmed me down and assured me that they will take care of it under warranty even if it was my fault. That was COOL. I remember Gil telling me that money was not an issue and the only thing that was important is getting me up and running again.
I packed my Spectral in the original box and sent it back to Digital. one day after they received my computer I got a phone call from Gil and he personally notified me that I fried the power supply and the motherboard. They replaced the bad parts and shipped it the same day (they held the computer for 24 hours).
When I got the computer back all of my programs were intact and the computer looked like new, they apparently cleaned it and packaged it as new.
I have used the computer for 6 months now after the event and never had any problems with it, any time I needed support from Spectral they were there for me.

I can not believe the experience you described J. 'Moose' Kahrs, this does not sound like the same company that I have been dealing with.
I am writing this because it is hard to find good service in this world, and Spectral was the best service I ever got, not everyone can build good systems and I had many computers in the past, nor does everyone know or want to put one together, certify it and support it properly. I need support and I am willing to pay for it I have no time for experimentation my time is worth money.

Wow.... that's not shady at all. tutt

[Sounds Great]

Hahaha.

Sorry Jay, but at least it looks like it turned around for you, and I'm glad to see that.


What a tool this guy is.


Ahhh, the power of Gearslutz!

[True North]

Yeah - I think I would have at least searched out some old threads in some of the less travelled areas of the site, built up some numbers and THAN posted

I just built a beast form scratch but if had to do it again I would definitely use Scott at ADK Computers!! He is on the site all the time, my thinking is he wouldn't want to screw up his rep on this site, especially to a fellow Slut!!

Anyways, glad it got worked out Jay, maybe you taught Einstein a lesson on Customer Service.

[JSVice]

I ran into some problems building my last dual Opteron rig. Thankfully for me, Scott and ADK are within dirving distance so I was actually able to run it up there and him and his staff to sort it out for me. Also bought my RME FF800 off him too.

[TinderArts]

ADK and Sonica are the two music PC companies that I have no problem recommending to friends and clients. It doesn't look like Spectral will even get mentioned unless someone else brings it up to me. In that case I'll just keep a link to this thread around.