Happy New Year From Hilton Audio Products! – January Newsletter
Mary Ellen and I hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday season, and that 2015 is a great year for us all. Here is a quick update with what is going on at Hilton Audio Products of Texas.
First Run Of MA-220’s Has Shipped – Positive Feedback All Around
The first run of 50 MA-220’s shipped in December as promised. Callers, cuers, and dance leaders from around the world received their new MA-220 and we’ve had a lot of great feedback. My lead technician, Steve Chauvin copied the Hilton specs exactly. We used all of the same vendors. The MA-220 you bought from Texas is exactly the same as it was from California.
While feedback was, overall fantastic, we had one unit come back that lost all of its microphone channels. Fortunately, that ended up being a single loose screw. We also had a couple questions about speakers and Ohms. (The MA-220 requires a minimum of 4 Ohms to operate correctly…see details on the www.hiltonaudio.com website.)
ONE LAST CHANCE FOR YOUR MA-220 AT 2014 PRICE –
FINAL DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2015
I had planned one last notice at the end of December to give “fair warning” of the impending price increase for the MA-220 in 2015. I didn’t get that final notice out, and since the first of the year, I have had a couple requests for me to honor the 2014 price. In the interest of fairness to all, I am extending the 2014 price of $1420.00 for a MA-220 until January 15, 2015. This is the absolute final extension. On January 16, 2014, the price will be $1495.00. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is your LAST chance.
Here’s the direct link:
http://www.hiltonaudio.com/store/p47/LAST_CHANCE%21_Hilton_MA-220_-_Mixer%2FAmplifier_at_2014_PRICE%21_%28Thru_January_15%2C_2015_only%21%29.html
Next Run Of MA-220’s Is In Production – January 31, 2015 Delivery
The next run of MA-220’s is underway, and we expect to be able to start delivering by the end of the month. As we complete this run, it is our plan to be able to start building an inventory of amplifiers so that waiting an extended period of time for your amp will be a thing of the past. It is my goal to always have several amplifiers “on the shelf” for same day, or next day shipping.
New Microphone Cables? Not Exactly…
Many of you may have noticed some travelling callers come through your area with a “new” microphone cable from Hilton. The actual cable itself isn’t new, but we are making several new colors available by using a special flex-coating around the cable. I’m naming these new coatings after some friends and calling heroes of mine.
Keep an eye on the website for a dozen new colors that I hope to have available this month. The coating has to be added manually, so it’ll take a couple days. The cost will be $30.00 more than whichever black cable you choose.
All Hilton European Sales On Hold – Indefinitely
Unfortunately, due to my inexperience in international sales, particularly in Europe, we have run in to an issue that will prevent Hilton from shipping to Europe indefinitely. The certification for MA-220’s is several years old, and there are new certifications, costing thousands of dollars, now necessary to do business in Europe. The costs appear prohibitive, but we are investigating our options. As of this moment, Hilton will not ship any product to Europe.
I’ve already heard several options for “getting around” the rules, and I’m not interested in that. If we can’t ship legally, we won’t ship. I am not prepared to risk long term ramifications to make a few short term sales.
In the meantime, if you want a Hilton product in Europe, and have a means of getting it there, please understand the following: Your Hilton warranty ends in the United States. If you have a problem, it will be your responsibility to get the product to and from the states.
Hilton Service
Please remember, if you need service on a MA-220, especially under warranty, that will be handled here in Texas. Any other MA product can be serviced here as well.
If you are looking for service for any TURN-TABLE, contact one of the authorized repair people you’ll find on the “Service/Repair” tab on the www.hiltonaudio.com website.
Hilton Parts
I’m continuing to struggle with inventory for old Hilton parts. There simply have not been enough hours in the day. I have agreed to complete one final project with my “day job” and that has really slowed me down. That project ends the first week of March, and I’ll be able to focus solely on Hilton.
In the meantime, Mary Ellen and I have set aside the next several Sundays as “Hilton Inventory Sundays”. We’re going to dedicate several hours each Sunday afternoon to digging through this inventory and making it available online. I know it hasn’t been easy on those who are waiting. Please keep an eye on the site for new items as they become available.
CALLERLAB – Springfield, Missouri – March 2015 – Please Visit The Hilton Booth
We’re planning our trip to Springfield, Missouri for the CALLERLAB convention this March. We’ll have a booth and equipment available for sale. Please make it a point to stop by and visit.
Hilton Audio Products of Texas – We’re A Work In Progress
Folks, I want to thank you for your patience as we grow in to this business and try to live up to the Hilton name. Those of you who know me personally know that I’m slightly “off-center” and perhaps “an acquired taste”. This is a new venture for me and my wife. This is NOT my background, but with the right people in place to handle the technical aspect of the business, we’ll get things together very soon.
I’m going to make some mistakes along the way. There are going to be issues I’m sure. That said, we’ll do everything we can to make things right, and take care of our customers and friends as best as possible. Thank you for helping us keep this fantastic name and product alive for the next generation.
Thank You,
Paul and Mary Ellen Cote
Mary Ellen and I hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday season, and that 2015 is a great year for us all. Here is a quick update with what is going on at Hilton Audio Products of Texas.
First Run Of MA-220’s Has Shipped – Positive Feedback All Around
The first run of 50 MA-220’s shipped in December as promised. Callers, cuers, and dance leaders from around the world received their new MA-220 and we’ve had a lot of great feedback. My lead technician, Steve Chauvin copied the Hilton specs exactly. We used all of the same vendors. The MA-220 you bought from Texas is exactly the same as it was from California.
While feedback was, overall fantastic, we had one unit come back that lost all of its microphone channels. Fortunately, that ended up being a single loose screw. We also had a couple questions about speakers and Ohms. (The MA-220 requires a minimum of 4 Ohms to operate correctly…see details on the www.hiltonaudio.com website.)
ONE LAST CHANCE FOR YOUR MA-220 AT 2014 PRICE –
FINAL DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2015
I had planned one last notice at the end of December to give “fair warning” of the impending price increase for the MA-220 in 2015. I didn’t get that final notice out, and since the first of the year, I have had a couple requests for me to honor the 2014 price. In the interest of fairness to all, I am extending the 2014 price of $1420.00 for a MA-220 until January 15, 2015. This is the absolute final extension. On January 16, 2014, the price will be $1495.00. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is your LAST chance.
Here’s the direct link:
http://www.hiltonaudio.com/store/p47/LAST_CHANCE%21_Hilton_MA-220_-_Mixer%2FAmplifier_at_2014_PRICE%21_%28Thru_January_15%2C_2015_only%21%29.html
Next Run Of MA-220’s Is In Production – January 31, 2015 Delivery
The next run of MA-220’s is underway, and we expect to be able to start delivering by the end of the month. As we complete this run, it is our plan to be able to start building an inventory of amplifiers so that waiting an extended period of time for your amp will be a thing of the past. It is my goal to always have several amplifiers “on the shelf” for same day, or next day shipping.
New Microphone Cables? Not Exactly…
Many of you may have noticed some travelling callers come through your area with a “new” microphone cable from Hilton. The actual cable itself isn’t new, but we are making several new colors available by using a special flex-coating around the cable. I’m naming these new coatings after some friends and calling heroes of mine.
Keep an eye on the website for a dozen new colors that I hope to have available this month. The coating has to be added manually, so it’ll take a couple days. The cost will be $30.00 more than whichever black cable you choose.
All Hilton European Sales On Hold – Indefinitely
Unfortunately, due to my inexperience in international sales, particularly in Europe, we have run in to an issue that will prevent Hilton from shipping to Europe indefinitely. The certification for MA-220’s is several years old, and there are new certifications, costing thousands of dollars, now necessary to do business in Europe. The costs appear prohibitive, but we are investigating our options. As of this moment, Hilton will not ship any product to Europe.
I’ve already heard several options for “getting around” the rules, and I’m not interested in that. If we can’t ship legally, we won’t ship. I am not prepared to risk long term ramifications to make a few short term sales.
In the meantime, if you want a Hilton product in Europe, and have a means of getting it there, please understand the following: Your Hilton warranty ends in the United States. If you have a problem, it will be your responsibility to get the product to and from the states.
Hilton Service
Please remember, if you need service on a MA-220, especially under warranty, that will be handled here in Texas. Any other MA product can be serviced here as well.
If you are looking for service for any TURN-TABLE, contact one of the authorized repair people you’ll find on the “Service/Repair” tab on the www.hiltonaudio.com website.
Hilton Parts
I’m continuing to struggle with inventory for old Hilton parts. There simply have not been enough hours in the day. I have agreed to complete one final project with my “day job” and that has really slowed me down. That project ends the first week of March, and I’ll be able to focus solely on Hilton.
In the meantime, Mary Ellen and I have set aside the next several Sundays as “Hilton Inventory Sundays”. We’re going to dedicate several hours each Sunday afternoon to digging through this inventory and making it available online. I know it hasn’t been easy on those who are waiting. Please keep an eye on the site for new items as they become available.
CALLERLAB – Springfield, Missouri – March 2015 – Please Visit The Hilton Booth
We’re planning our trip to Springfield, Missouri for the CALLERLAB convention this March. We’ll have a booth and equipment available for sale. Please make it a point to stop by and visit.
Hilton Audio Products of Texas – We’re A Work In Progress
Folks, I want to thank you for your patience as we grow in to this business and try to live up to the Hilton name. Those of you who know me personally know that I’m slightly “off-center” and perhaps “an acquired taste”. This is a new venture for me and my wife. This is NOT my background, but with the right people in place to handle the technical aspect of the business, we’ll get things together very soon.
I’m going to make some mistakes along the way. There are going to be issues I’m sure. That said, we’ll do everything we can to make things right, and take care of our customers and friends as best as possible. Thank you for helping us keep this fantastic name and product alive for the next generation.
Thank You,
Paul and Mary Ellen Cote
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