Where to get a Lunchbox in San Diego quickly

[Anarchihuahua]

Hi fellas, need some help there. Here's my situation.

I'm flying in to San Diego from France on wednesay morning, to do some live recording for the choir with which I'll be flying. I do have all my mobile rig ready (macbook, mics, interface) but planned on purchasing a pair of Buzz audio Elixir 500 series pres + obviously the lunchbox to power them, while I was in the US, especially since it's much better to buy in dollars than euros these days and anyway I'm not sure Elixirs can be found in Europe.

The point of my situation is that I need all this pretty quickly (by wednesday ideally, thursday evening at the latest).

I'll probably be getting the Elixirs from Atlas pro Audio, since I like their fast shipment policies (and actually I'm not sure anyone else is a US dealer for Buzz).

Remains the lunchbox. Well of course there's the new Revolver from atlas Pro (and actually they have introductory specials if I take the elixirs as well), but I don't like its price that much for the number of spaces it offers. But if I don't find any other options, it might be a possibility; and I like to purchase stuff from one shop only.
So do you know if there's a retailer in the SD area where I could pick up a lunchbox? Or a shop who could send it quickly over there? (not Mercenary as they have to send it to the same adress as the billing adress, which of course is my home adress in France)

Hope somone can help a fellow gearslut!


(PS: by the way, if some of you guys have tips or advice to bring back equipment in planes without paying import taxes, I'll take them happily! Even though I have to get prepared to pay them, not to be disappointed )

[Anarchihuahua]

No one, then??

[Gregg Sartiano]

platinumaudiorentals.com

LAFX.com

Unfortunately, both are in L.A. But they may have a contact for you or know someone who is making the L.A.-S.D. drive, which is a pretty routine one for many Southern Californians. Both are rental houses -- that may be the way to go for you, anyway. Have them FedEx a loaded 6-spacer (rental) to your hotel, guarantee it with the credit card, and charge it off as an expense for the gig (my 2c).

[Anarchihuahua]

Hi Gregg.
Hum, I hadn't thought at all about renting.
...
But, it puzzles me a bit. The point, actually, was rather to buy it, so that I could start using it right away in SanDiego and carry on filling it up when I get back here. These days, there's so many interesting stuff in 500 series format.
And actuaally, I'd need it for several concerts, not just one, so that'd be at least a whole week of rental. I guess that would start to get close to buying price.

Thanks for the ideas, though.

[bongomania]

Seems like most high-end audio retailers would be willing/able to ship a piece by "overnight" delivery. Don't worry about the expense of the shipping, because if you bought locally in San Diego you'd have to pay around 8% sales tax anyway.

[pan60]

not sure why Nathan would not be able to hook you up.
but, if you can not get the elixirs and the box you need then i would look at the A-Designs EM-Blue.
as well, one of Peters new two slotters.
and i would bet if you gave Peter a call he would see to it you had what you wanted when you needed it.

[Gregg Sartiano]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Seems like most high-end audio retailers would be willing/able to ship a piece by "overnight" delivery. Don't worry about the expense of the shipping, because if you bought locally in San Diego you'd have to pay around 8% sales tax anyway.

*** This is a great point.

[Anarchihuahua]

Originally Posted by pan60

not sure why Nathan would not be able to hook you up.
but, if you can not get the elixirs and the box you need then i would look at the A-Designs EM-Blue.
as well, one of Peters new two slotters.
and i would bet if you gave Peter a call he would see to it you had what you wanted when you needed it.

I'm sure Nathan would be able to, but the thing is that he doesn't retail API lunchboxes. Only the OSA ones, but apparently they're built on order and take longer for delivery, + they're just a bit too expensive (unless there's some kind of "package bargain" which I'm not aware of. Maybe Nathan can chime in on that, and the rest as well). Ideally I'd take a 6 spacer API (I'm aware of the not so great power supply, but the newer ones are better apparently) if I can find one before the first concerts. I'l check through the ordering policies of other internet retailers. If not, I'll just settle with the revolver.

I'm sure Peter Montessi is a nice guy but I'm set on the elixir, and I'm not great with the idea of carrying an entire rack (even if it's 1u) in my suitcase, thus the lunchbox or revolver option.

Thanks for your input guys!

[Anarchihuahua]

PS: any suggestions on internet retailers who do sell API lunchboxes and can deliver overnight? So far I havn't found any delivering info for High profile audio and soundpure (have to email Tony Belmont), I saw that Front end audio and sweetwater don't retail API, and Mercenary isn't possible because of the credit card billing address thingie.

[pan60]

well nothing wrong with the OSA stuff i have one of the racks and it's never been anything less then great.
i am surprised nathan would not have a track-pack on hand.
Tony would be a great guy to contact.
i mention the EM Blue as it would be closest i think to the elixir.
i recently reviewed the elixir and was very impress, just did not have the extra capital to get one at the time :( plus i am so hooked on the A-Designs P-1's i want to get a couple more of them first.
good luck

[Anarchihuahua]

Originally Posted by pan60

well nothing wrong with the OSA stuff i have one of the racks and it's never been anything less then great.
i am surprised nathan would not have a track-pack on hand.
Tony would be a great guy to contact.
i mention the EM Blue as it would be closest i think to the elixir.
i recently reviewed the elixir and was very impress, just did not have the extra capital to get one at the time :( plus i am so hooked on the A-Designs P-1's i want to get a couple more of them first.
good luck

Well actually I didn't ask Nathan about the track pack but it said so on the website. I'll mail him to check.

But I think my problem is soon to be resolved anyway, just waiting for an answer.

And for your addiction to the P1s, yeah I had sort of figured that out from your numerous posts 'round here

[pan60]

the 500 form is just so addicting , once you get in the addiction grows
if had the money i would have a t least a pair of everything.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Anarchihuahua

I'm sure Nathan would be able to, but the thing is that he doesn't retail API lunchboxes. Only the OSA ones, but apparently they're built on order and take longer for delivery, + they're just a bit too expensive (unless there's some kind of "package bargain" which I'm not aware of. Maybe Nathan can chime in on that, and the rest as well). Ideally I'd take a 6 spacer API (I'm aware of the not so great power supply, but the newer ones are better apparently) if I can find one before the first concerts. I'l check through the ordering policies of other internet retailers. If not, I'll just settle with the revolver.

I'm sure Peter Montessi is a nice guy but I'm set on the elixir, and I'm not great with the idea of carrying an entire rack (even if it's 1u) in my suitcase, thus the lunchbox or revolver option.

Thanks for your input guys!

The OSA Track Pack is larger than the API Lunchbox and also would have an external supply. The OSA Track Pack may be impractical to carry in a suitcase as well, considering the weight and size, irregardless of the current wait/build time.

Powerwise, the API Lunchbox will only power 2 elixirs properly (150mA each per elixir, totals 300mA out of a 360mA supply for the APIlunchbox), subsequently adding more modules will likely surpass the power provided. The Atlas Revolver will provide 400mA for it's 2 slots, it's smaller too and weighs less than the others.

There are things you will need to know in order to get this accomplished in the time allotted, and I think you are incorrect on a few points in your statement above. It doesn't matter to me personally which way you decide, each option has pros and cons, and it's a decision that only you can make. If you want to know what discounts are available you can find information on our website. International orders are more complicated of course, if you need any information from us, please contact us directly in lieu of posting on the forum for specific details.

[Anarchihuahua]

Issue solved, by the way!
Many thanks to Brijitte and Nathan at Atlas Pro Audio.
I finally went for the revolver + 2 elixirs (first european owner of the revolver, yeeehaw! )
Thanks also to Warren (Front End Audio), Paul (Oddissey Pro Sound) and Mike (Vintageking) for their time and advice.

I've only used them tonite on a dress rehearsal for the first time though (some of the recordings before have been cancelled). Several choirs, in a pretty nice sounding hall (Neuroscience Institute Auditorium, or something like that, in San Diego, for those of you who might know it). So far sounds great. The concert's friday night, so the Elixirs will get more use by then.

Loved the portability, by the way: my whole setup was in my laptop case + the revolver + a small mic case (ok I cheated: I borrowed mic stands from the hall...)