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Topic:
Ordered Take Control from shop4.com
This thread has 29 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Tuesday November 17, 1998 at 12:27
George Mills
Historic Forum Post
www.shop4.com *SAYS* they have them in stock.
For some strange reason they said you had to
call them to place an order. I did not pay
the club fee and paid the higher price.

I asked if I could pay extra for faster shipping.
They said no, not on this product. I asked them 3 times if they had it in stock and they said yes. They also said 2 weeks before I'd see it (UPS ground).

I think they are bluffing but what do I have to
loose. They also said 30day no questions ask return policy.

I'm not knocking the Pronto but my hunch is that Microsoft will do a better job in allowing to operate as a user really uses a system rather than how the system is actually organized.

That is, by activity rather than by device.
Also, I believe these units are Windows CE based and who better to write windows CE applications.

It will be driving a Meridian 561, Pioneer DVL-700, Sony TV, Rotel Tuner, Yamaha VCR. I sold my RC2K MK-I eons ago and the person I sold it to also sold it and the person he sold it to now has 2 MK-I's and a MK-II.

OP | Post 2 made on Tuesday November 17, 1998 at 19:09
Jim Cain
Historic Forum Post
Hmm.

Most interesting. I placed my order (online)with shop4.com about 2 weeks ago, and I haven't seen mine yet.. Perhaps a call is in order!!

Will report status.


OP | Post 3 made on Tuesday November 17, 1998 at 19:15
Jim Cain
Historic Forum Post
Ever more intersting.

Just called shop4.com for status on my order. "I'm sorry, we show that item on backorder until November 30th."

Very interesting. I guess I wait. (Unless there is a secret source!?)
OP | Post 4 made on Tuesday November 17, 1998 at 20:45
Timothy Morris
Historic Forum Post
Off topic, but how do you rate the 561 as a pre-amp George. I like the idea of using it as a processor, but have an Audiolab 8000Q pre-amp which works very well with my amplification particularly on CDs. What is it like compared with a standalone DAC.

Email your reply if you like to timmorris at globalnet dot co dot uk
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday November 17, 1998 at 22:45
George Mills
Historic Forum Post
See [Link: softronix.com] for my views on the Meridian 561.

Interesting about the different reports from shop4.com.

I don't mind waiting but I hate being lied too.

OP | Post 6 made on Wednesday November 18, 1998 at 12:48
Bob M
Historic Forum Post
I spoke with shop4.com about the Take Control. In regards to the return policy: (Since Take Control comes with a Cd to install software on your pc to program the remote) if the seal on the cd package is broken their policy is it can not be returned.

So I decided not to purchase at this time. Maybe I had a misinformed operator.
OP | Post 7 made on Wednesday November 18, 1998 at 13:42
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Just a cut-and-paste from my IRIQ page:

New information on both the Madrigal IRIQ and Harman Kardon Take Control.

The IRIQ will only be available through specialist Madrigal dealers and will feature an 18 month warranty. It will have a retail price of $399, which may include basic programming by the dealer via additional software only available to them. Additional programming would be billed on how long it takes to complete.

The Harman Kardon Take Control (and possibly a model by JBL) will be made available over-the-counter at most places and will include a 12 month warranty. The main differences between it and the Madrigal model will be color and a list price that's $50 less at $349. All programming will be done by the customer.

As an interesting side note, it appears the first shipment of 252 IRIQ units was sent to a promotional event with microsoft at one of Madrigal's top dealers. They expected to sell between 100 and 150 of them, however Microsoft employees mobbed the store and bought them all up! In fact, the dealer ended up taking 350 orders in two days! Madrigal is expecting another shipment in a week, and hopefully I'll be able to receive one for review.
OP | Post 8 made on Thursday November 19, 1998 at 13:27
Joe Banks
Historic Forum Post
In my opinion, the Take Control unit would be the one to review. Most people, I suspect, will not want to rely on their dealer for custom programing for which they will have to pay extra. Most people, I suspect, would like to know about the programability ot the Take Control. I see this as an advantage over the Madrigal unit.

Ps: I have no affiliation with Harmon Kordon.
OP | Post 9 made on Friday November 20, 1998 at 09:47
Tom Pate
Historic Forum Post
I agree with Joe Banks... I would definately NOT buy the Madrigal because of the restricted programming required by the dealer at a cost $$$.
Can't see anyone buying into that scenario except people who have their whole HT set up by a dealer and do no DYI... I think the DYI is half the fun!
Still, with the IRIQ available first (?), a review of that unit would be welcome.

From what I read, think I'd like the HK over the Pronto because of the more flexible PC programming... downside is the need to keep a pile of batteries around (no recharger/docking station).

Anyone know where best to get in line for the HK unit?

OP | Post 10 made on Friday November 20, 1998 at 13:33
bill rubin
Historic Forum Post
harman kardon said they're shipping next week. I have a pronto coming today from Q Audio. I have a front projector setup so its always dark, and you can leave the pronto on backlite low and recharge batteries. hk just has on off backlite switch.
OP | Post 11 made on Friday November 20, 1998 at 15:51
George Mills
Historic Forum Post
I don't think anyone can make conclusions of which is better for the home tweaker based on what Daniel Posted. Lets wait and see what the exact details are. 252 Microsoft employees didn't seem to have a problem with it.
OP | Post 12 made on Friday November 20, 1998 at 16:59
Joe Banks
Historic Forum Post
I'll stand by my conclusions based on what Daniel posted. You can bet 252 Microsoft employees are not going to rely on a retail dealer for programming.
OP | Post 13 made on Friday November 20, 1998 at 17:02
Clay W.
Historic Forum Post
It is interesting that so many Microsoft employees bought the HK. However, in this case, Philips is a Microsoft competitor. I don't know how others would choose, but given a choice, I would choose products made by my employer first. Also, there is no indication of the price paid by the MS employees. My expectation would be that they received a generous discount.

This is not to say the HK may not be the best choice, only that no difinitive information can be obtained from the unit sales numbers only.

Clay W.
OP | Post 14 made on Friday November 20, 1998 at 21:14
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Until I see one I can't say what it will or will not include. I'm just relaying what was given to me by someone at Madrigal, who by the way is owned by Harman Inc., who of course owns Harman Kardon.

He states that Madrigal dealers "will have access to additional software tools", which implies that some software is included. I doubt the Harman Kardon unit will include super-duper deluxe software, since the only folks who would have a need for that are dealers.

The Madrigal would appeal to high-end users, and surely these are the folks that would want to twiddle and tweak their remote all the time. I know I just finished modifying the DVD layout on my Pronto, a month and a half later.
OP | Post 15 made on Tuesday November 24, 1998 at 16:18
Michael
Historic Forum Post
I just ordered one myself. Operator said they do not have ANY products in stock, but shipping is from manufacturer. Hmmm... also was suspicious that no additional shipping charge above the $297 price.

Anyone actually received a unit yet? Any experience with this company? I feel uneasy about it.
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