SUPPORT

FAQs

What’s the big deal with tube amps vs solid state amps?

The non-technical answer is tube amps just sound better and they’ve been heard on a lot of your favorite recordings. So the sound of a guitar running through a cranked tube amp is part of the signature sound of rock and metal.

The technical answer is that due to the nonlinear gain characteristics of vacuum tubes, Tube Amps are often described as having a "warm," "rich," and "organic" sound. They tend to produce even-order harmonic distortion, which is generally perceived as musically pleasing. Solid-State Amps on the other hand, generally have a "cleaner" and more "accurate" sound. They produce odd-order harmonic distortion, which can be perceived as harsher but also more precise.

Do tubes have to be replaced regularly?

No, but tubes can go bad from time to time. Mechanical shock is probably the most common cause of tube failure. A tube would need to be replaced in those cases. Some folks replace their tubes even if they have not failed. Some folks try to keep their amp’s original tubes forever because of their unique sound.

Do tubes get hot?

Yes. Don’t touch them when they are hot and keep plenty of ventilation around a running amp.

What is the difference between a pre-amp and a power-amp?

A pre-amp takes a low-voltage signal from a guitar and increases the voltage while adding tone, overdrive, distortion, etc. A power-amp takes the signal from the pre-amp and substantially increases the voltage and/or current in order to amplify the signal and make it louder.

Why are tube amps so heavy?

The transformers needed to increase the voltage required to operate the tubes are heavy. The weight of the headcase can be significant, too.

Where are tre_audio amplifiers built?

The major components of the amps are made in the USA. Some of the components come from overseas; the most notable of which are the vacuum tubes which are made in the Slovak Republic. All of the components get received and tested at our shop in Virginia. We do some additional component fabrication work at our shop, then assemble and test the amplifiers.

Testing? What kind of testing?

Well, we test the amplifiers at various times during fabrication and assembly. It’s more efficient to test along the way than to wait until the end to test. But once the amplifiers (or other gear) are built, we test them in our shop. We do several safety tests to make sure things are grounded correctly and meet safely requirements. We then play each amp to make sure it sounds perfect. Then we burn it in for a day while hooked up to attenuators and other equipment. Then we play through it again. It has to sound perfect to get boxed up and shipped. We also take a few fully-built amplifiers and run them continuously. All day. All night. All the time. Just because. We also do beta-testing of products on stages across the country. If you are in a performing band and have an interest in beta-testing tre_audio products, please email tre@treaudio.com.

Payment Methods

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay

REFUND / RETURNS

We offer refund and/or exchange within the first 30 days of your purchase, if 30 days have passed since your purchase, you will not be offered a refund and/or exchange of any kind.

Your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. The item must be in the original packaging. To complete your return, we will require a receipt or proof of purchase.

Only regular priced items may be refunded, sale items cannot be refunded. If the item in question was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you will receive a gift credit for the value of your return.

Exchanges

We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at tre@treaudio.com to receive additional information on exchanging the item.

Gift cards, T-Shirts and apparel are not exchangeable.

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.

If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.

Late or missing refunds

If you have not received a refund yet, first check your bank or PayPal account again. Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.

If you have done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at tre@treaudio.com

Shipping your return

Please send your returns back to : tre_audio, 2022 Craigs Store Rd, Afton, VA 22920, USA

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable! If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary. Please see, we cannot guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

Privacy Policy

tre_audio LLC (“tre_audio,” “us,” “we,” or “Company”) and all its affiliates and subsidiaries appreciate your use of and contributions to our websites, our mobile and desktop applications, our other properties, or our related services (collectively known as the “tre_audio Properties” or, each individually, a “tre_audio Property”).

We understand your concerns about privacy. So, we want you to understand what types of information we collect on our sites and apps and what may happen to that information.

This is our Privacy Policy and we will comply with it, as well as applicable privacy laws, when we gather and use information from users of the tre_audio Properties. We encourage you to read this Privacy Policy to understand how we collect information and what we do with the information we collect from you.

1. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date of the current Privacy Policy is noted at the top and bottom of this page.

If we make material changes to the way we collect, use, share, or process the personal information that you have provided that adversely impacts you, we will notify you by posting a notice of the changes in a clear and conspicuous manner on all tre_audio Property websites or via the most recent email address we have on file for you.

2. WHAT INFORMATION DOES tre_audio COLLECT?

Information You Provide to Us:

You are not required to provide Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”), defined as information relating to an identifiable natural person, in order to visit tre_audio Properties. You must, however, register and provide PII in order to access certain portions or use some or all of the features of certain tre_audio Properties, receive tre_audio communications, and to enter contests and other promotions.

When using the tre_audio Properties, tre_audio may collect information you voluntarily share with us, including any content, record, or electronic communication of any kind, including without limitation your:

Contact information, including name, address, phone number, and email address;

Financial information related to payment, including name, email address, billing address, credit card information, phone number, and other information necessary to open your account and complete a transaction or purchase, record of products or services purchased, and the date the transaction(s) occurred;

Demographic information, including gender, age, birthdate, number of children, interests, and household income to better design and manufacture products and services to meet your needs;

Product and service preferences; and

Online user account information, including username, password, profile picture, instrument skill level, and left or right hand preference.

Information We Automatically Collect:

When you use tre_audio Properties, we collect Internet or other electronic network activity information, such as your device’s IP address, referring website, what pages your device visited, and the time that your device visited the tre_audio Properties. This may also include which browser and operating system you use, command link information, diagnostic information related to the tre_audio Properties, your mobile carrier, the device you use, and search terms. We do not currently recognize automated browser signals regarding tracking mechanisms, which may include “Do Not Track” instructions. We may also rely on analytics, as further specified in our “Cookie Preference Center.”

3. HOW AND ON WHAT GROUNDS DO WE USE THE INFORMATION?

tre_audio uses PII you share with us either:

Based on your consent; or

Insofar as such processing is necessary for the performance of a contract between you and tre_audio.

Sale and Customer Service: tre_audio uses your information to fulfill your order and provide you with customer service.

Direct Marketing: tre_audio uses your contact information for its own marketing purposes, e.g. to update you on our latest products, promotional offers, and events.

If you are an existing customer and have provided your email to tre_audio in the course of a commercial transaction; when you register for an account or interact with our website and services; when you communicate with us or sign up for promotional materials; when you participate in special activities, offers, or programs; when you engage with our online communities or advertising; or when you connect with us through social media with tre_audio, we may use your email or social media contact information to contact you about tre_audio Properties, promotional offers, and events.

Mobile Messaging: our website uses cookies to keep track of your shopping cart and order history including when you have abandoned your cart, in order to send you cart reminder text messages.

If you do not wish to be contacted for such marketing purposes and wish to opt out, please click the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.

Website/App Administration: tre_audio will use your information to administer its site and maintain your account (including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, site/app improvement, website/app security).

Other: tre_audio will use your PII only for the purpose of communicating to and with you as requested or any other purpose for which you disclose it specifically to us. If you wish for us to cease use of your PII in any way, you may use the Privacy Center to submit your request.

Without your consent tre_audio will use any PII you provide only insofar as such processing is permitted by applicable law, e.g. for the performance of a sales contract with you or where such processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which tre_audio is subject.

In addition, tre_audio may use and share aggregated anonymous information that does not uniquely identify you when it enables tre_audio to improve and enrich our services and website/app content.

tre_audio reserves the right to use and share your information where such disclosure may be required by law.

4. HOW DO WE SHARE AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES?

tre_audio does not sell, rent, or loan any of your PII to any third party.

tre_audio may, however, use and share information with third-party data processors specifically engaged by tre_audio in the processing of your information received via the tre_audio Properties. tre_audio may also share your information with our foreign and domestic affiliates and subsidiaries and third-party suppliers, which may require sending your PII to another country outside of the one you reside in, where federal or state laws may provide for a data protection level that is not equivalent to the standards in your country.

We will only transfer your PII to:

Countries deemed to have “adequate protection” according to your jurisdiction’s privacy laws;

Entities that have instituted appropriate safeguards to protect your PII; or

Where you have provided your consent.

tre_audio will regularly perform data protection impact assessments to ensure that your PII is protected when it is sent to another jurisdiction.

5. WHO ARE THE THIRD-PARTY RECIPIENTS OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

tre_audio may share information with third parties in the following situations:

Service Providers: tre_audio may share your PII with suppliers and service providers specifically involved in the processing of your information to provide, improve, and personalize services provided by tre_audio Properties.

Affiliates: tre_audio may share your PII with our foreign and domestic affiliates and subsidiaries to provide, improve, and personalize services provided by tre_audio Properties for marketing purposes or advertising.

Advertising and Marketing: With advertising and marketing partners for advertising and marketing purposes on tre_audio’s behalf and on behalf of third parties; and with companies involved in interest-based advertising, including web, mobile app, and other advertising for ads that are personalized and displayed on tre_audio Properties and through other channels, collectively to provide you with relevant promotional information.

Legal Process: tre_audio may share your PII with third parties in response to subpoenas, warrants, or court orders, or in connection with any legal process, or to comply with relevant laws.

Legal Claims: tre_audio may share your PII with third parties in order to establish or exercise our rights, to defend against a legal claim, to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding possible illegal activities, suspected fraud, safety of person or property, or a violation of our policies, or to comply with your request for the shipment of products to or the provision of services by a third-party intermediary.

Mergers and Acquisitions: In the event of a change in control of tre_audio or sale by tre_audio of substantially all of its assets, any information owned by or in the control of tre_audio may be transferred to such tre_audio successor, who will comply with the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Other Situations: We may ask if you would like us to share your information with other unaffiliated third parties who are not described elsewhere in this policy.

All above exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties

6. FOR HOW LONG DO WE STORE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We will retain your PII for only as long as you maintain an account or as otherwise necessary to provide you the applicable services through tre_audio Properties. We will also retain your PII as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Where we no longer need to process your PII for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy, we will either delete or anonymize your PII in our systems so that it can no longer be attributed to a particular individual. In the event that any residual information, that we are not able to anonymize, remains within our system, we will isolate such information from further processing until deletion or anonymization is possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at the contact information in Section 14.

7. SECURITY

tre_audio limits third-party access to PII collected on this website. tre_audio Properties have security measures in place that we believe are reasonable to help protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under tre_audio’s control. While tre_audio cannot guarantee that loss, misuse, or alteration to data will not occur, tre_audio uses industry standards, such as Secure Socket Layers (“SSL”) technology, to help safeguard against such occurrences. In certain instances, the information passed between your device and the tre_audio system is encrypted with SSL technology to create a protected connection between you and tre_audio Properties to ensure confidentiality. In the event that we are required by law to inform you of a breach to your PII, we may notify you electronically, in writing, or by telephone, if permitted to do so by law.

8. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

What choices do you have?

You can always opt not to disclose information to tre_audio. However, some information may be needed to register with tre_audio, for purchases from tre_audio, or to take advantage of certain features of tre_audio Properties.

Cookies/Tracking

You can accept or reject cookies for websites associated with tre_audio Properties through our Cookie Preference Center. You can also do so by adjusting your web browser controls.

You can accept or reject tracking for apps associated with tre_audio Properties, whether prompted or by going to the appropriate section of your device’s settings.

To turn off tracking on iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking, then find the appropriate tre_audio Property and toggle tracking off.

To turn off tracking on Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking, then toggle tracking off.

Marketing Communications

You can opt-out of receiving certain promotional or marketing communications from tre_audio at any time, by either using the unsubscribe link in the email communications we send.

9. HOW CAN YOU EXERCISE YOUR DATA SUBJECT RIGHTS?

Accessing Your Data

We take reasonable steps to ensure that your PII is accurate, complete, and up to date. You may access your PII that we hold by contacting us directly using the Privacy Center. For your protection, we may need to verify your identity before implementing your request. We will try to implement your request as soon as reasonably practicable.

Rectifying Your Data

If you have a tre_audio Connect Account, we rely on you to update and correct your PII. Most tre_audio Properties allow you to modify and/or delete your account profile. If a tre_audio Property does not allow you to update or correct certain information, please contact us using the Privacy Center. Please note that we may keep historical information in our backup files as permitted by law.

Restriction of Processing Your Data

At any point, you may request that we restrict processing of your PII where one of the following applies:

If you contest the accuracy of the PII, for a period enabling tre_audio to verify the accuracy of the PII; If the processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the PII and request the restriction of their use instead; or If tre_audio no long needs the PII for the purposes of the processing, but they are required to by you for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

You may also request that your PII not be used for targeted advertising, the sale of PII, or profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning you. You may make this request using the Privacy Center.

Erasure of Your Data

You may request, without undue delay, the erasure of your PII from tre_audio’s systems. Please use the Privacy Center to make this request. For individuals located in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom during data collection, please see Section 12 below for more information about your rights.

For residents of California during data collection, please see Section 13 below for more information about your rights.

10. CHILDREN’S INFORMATION

tre_audio does not knowingly collect any PII from children under 16. If we become aware that an individual under the age of 16 is submitting information without consent from their parent or legal guardian or as permitted under applicable law, we will delete the information as soon as possible from our database. If you believe we are collecting information about an individual under 16, please notify us immediately using the contact information in Section 14 so that we can take appropriate action.

11. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

This section only applies to individuals who do not reside in the United States, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. As a global organization, we may store, process, and transmit PII in locations around the world, including locations outside of the country or jurisdiction where you are located. Such countries or jurisdictions may have data protection laws that are less protective than the laws of the jurisdiction in which you reside. When we transfer your data, we do so using appropriate security measures to protect your data. If you do not want your information transferred to or processed or maintained outside of the country or jurisdiction where you are located, you should not use tre_audio Properties.

12. NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, SWITZERLAND, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

This section only applies to individuals using or accessing the tre_audio Properties while located in the European Economic Area (“EEA”), Switzerland, and/or the United Kingdom (collectively, the “Designated Countries”) at the time of data collection.

For the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”), the data controlled for the PII you provide or that tre_audio collects in connection with tre_audio Properties, please see the contact information in Section 14.

When you visit, shop, register, or use any tre_audio Property, your PII is primarily used to provide you with the tre_audio Property products and services you request. It may also be used to comply with legal obligations tre_audio is subject to or to fulfill our legitimate interests, such as to personalize your experience, develop and improve our tre_audio Properties, or to detect illegal activities. With your prior consent, it may also be used to send you offers and promotions.

tre_audio takes reasonable steps to ensure that your PII is accurate, complete, and up to date. You have the right to access, correct, or delete the PII that we collect. You are also entitled to restrict or object, at any time, to the further processing of your PII. You have the right to receive your PII in a structured and standard format, and where technically and legally feasible, the right to have your PII transmitted directly to a third party. If you would like to exercise your rights under applicable law, or if you believe we have infringed or violated your privacy rights, please contact us using the Privacy Center so that we may resolve your dispute directly. You also have a right to lodge a compliant with a competent supervisory authority situated in a Member State of your habitual residence or place of alleged infringement.

If tre_audio shares your PII with entities located in the United States or other non-EEA jurisdictions which, according to the European Commission, do not offer an adequate level of protection to PII, we implement specific contracts, approved by the European Commission, which ensures the same protection to PII as granted in the EEA, or other appropriate solutions to address cross-border transfers as required or permitted by Articles 46 and 49 of the GDPR. Where required by such laws, you may request a copy of the suitable mechanisms we have in place by contacting us.

13. NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

This section applies only to California residents. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended (“CCPA”), and to the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), below is a summary for the “Personal Information” categories, as identified and defined by the CCPA (see California Civil Code section 1798.140(o)), that we collect, the reason we collect the PII, where we obtain the PII, and the other entities with whom we may share the PII. Under the CCPA, PII is defined as any information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household.

We generally collect the following categories of PII when you use the tre_audio Properties:

Identifiers such as a name, address, unique personal identifier, email, phone number, your device’s IP address, browser information, and identification numbers associated with your devices;

Characteristics of protected classifications under California and federal law, such as gender;

Commercial information such as records of products or services purchased, obtained, or considered by you;

Internet or other electronic information regarding your browsing history, search history, the webpage visited before you came to a tre_audio Property, length of visit and number of page views, click-stream data, locale preferences, your mobile carrier, date and time stamps associated with transactions, and system configuration information;

Professional or employment-related information;

Your geolocation, to the extent you have configured your device to permit us to collect such information; and

Inferences about your preferences, characteristics, behavior, and attitudes.

For more information about the PII we collect and how we collect it, please refer to Section 2 above, and our Cookie Preference Center.

tre_audio collects PII for the business purposes described in Section 3 above, and in our Cookie Preference Center. The CCPA defines a “business purpose” as the use of PII for the business’s operational purposes, or other notified purposes, provided the use of PII is reasonably necessary and proportionate to achieve the operational purpose for which the PII was collected or another operational purpose that is compatible with the context in which the PII was collected.

The way we share your PII is listed in Section 4 above. The categories of other individuals or entities with whom we may share your PII are listed in Section 5 above.

Privacy Rights Under CCPA and CPRA

To assert your right to know, to access, or to delete your PII, please use the Privacy Center. To confirm your identity, we may ask you to verify PII we already have on file for you. If we cannot verify your identity based on the information we have on file, we may request additional information from you, which we will only use to verify your identity, and for security or fraud-prevention purposes.

A California customer may use an authorized agent to make a CCPA/CPRA privacy request on behalf of the consumer. To make a request on behalf of the California consumer whose PII has been collected by tre_audio, the authorized agent must first provide a copy of either (i) a letter signed by the customer authorizing the agent to submit the CCPA/CPRA request, or (ii) a valid power of attorney issued pursuant to California Probate Code sections 4000 to 4465. An authorized agent must email one of these documents to the email shown in Section 14 below and include a phone number where the agent may be reached during regular business hours.

14. CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

tre_audio

Attn: Legal Department

2022 Craigs Store Rd.

Afton, VA 22920

USA

Email: tre@treaudio.com

AI Content Policy

Some content, particularly photo-realistic cats, has been “Imagined with AI”.