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Esoteric A100 Service Nightmare

My Esoteric A100 which has been stuck in a safety circuit mode after an electrical surge.  I have contacted the Esoteric Service department and the unit was shipped to TAP electronics in Buena Park CA.  I was contacted by the service department that the A100s cannot be serviced in the US and must be shipped to Japan due to a required tool that is only available in Japan.  What???  I was quoted a shipping charge in the thousands $ and that there is no guarantee that the unit is even salvageable.  The interaction with TAP electronics was a nightmare but its not relevant here.   A100 has essentially become an expensive paper weight.  I am disappointed and puzzled by the lack of adequate service support for a unit that sold for over $18,000.  Any thoughts or recommendation on addressing this unit?  I am ready to consider the unit dead and move on.  This is unfortunately a last resort plea before I drop this unit to recycling.


Regards

Frank

kimf70
Ag insider logo xs@2x
hk_fan
452 posts
 
"You could ask the guys on the Esoteric Forum @ AudioAficionado.com
One of the members may have already gone through this."

Actually it's .org, not .com.

I had to get a new drive put into my DV-50 and it was done in California. I've heard about the special "jig" that exists only in Japan.  Sorry to hear about your difficulties... good luck and let us know how it turns out!
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,363 posts
 
Thanks  hk_fan.  This would really suck if the guy can't get the amp fixed.  Why would they need a jig to take an amp apart?  I could see if it was for aligning a laser or something, but an amp?  IMO, any authorized Esoteric repair center should already have this special tool/jig to do repairs.  Back in the late70's, when I sold Accuphase electronics, we were forced to buy all their specialty tools in order to repair equipment that we sold in house.
inna
7,296 posts
 
" quoted shipping in the thousands " sounds very odd unless the story is not true or TAP Electronics want to get rid of this customer. Some special tools or particular know how might be guarded by a manufacturer.  
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I can ship myself from Chicago to Japan for less money...round trip.
kimf70 OP
6 posts
 

This has been an exceedingly frustrating process.  I have contacted Esoteric again today at 844-515-2065.  I am told that the unit not only needs a specific tool but a "right environment" to service.  The response from Esoteric and TAP electronics has been perfunctory at best.   I have lost any confidence I had with Esoteric and will not be returning to them.

 

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