2. misc-audio
  3. 1111712206

The black hole of component repair?

Is the repair time for components typically measured in months? I have been fortunate over the last ten years with this hobby but at the end of January I had to send an amplifier and a DVD player in for repairs. The DVD player was past warranty and had to be sent to an independent service facility. They have had the player for 6 weeks and informed me today that the manufacturer in the UK sent them the wrong part (or maybe they ordered the wrong part) and they are waiting for the correct part. Looks like another 3-4 weeks before I see the DVD player. The amplifier was under warranty so that went back to the manufacturer. The amp sat on the floor for 6 weeks. I was told today that they have looked at it and that they have located the board they need to fix it. They may be able to get it installed in a week but can not make any promises. I am guessing that it will be another 3-4 weeks before I see the amplifier. I know some of this repair time is unavoidable but weeks can quickly turn into months especially with shipping time and components sitting around for weeks before they are even looked at. I now know why there are frequently things for sale on Audiogon where the listing states something like "just back from the factory in perfect working order". I guess when you send something in for repair you might just as well go ahead and replace the item right away and then sell whatever you sent in for repair when you finally get it back.
mchd1
c123666
871 posts
 
I have owned some Audio Note pieces since 1995 and when they required service and I used Nick Gowan at Truesound (gowan@tsound.com) who sold me the stuff at retail originally. DAC required a chip; same day repair while I waited and he upgraded the tubes without asking and charged me a modest fee.

I blew up an Audio Note Conqueror (watch how you put those 300b tubes in....) and it required new caps and an power transformer (think....at least two transformers were required so maybe output). It was repaired in something like three days on demand; ie, did not wait for appointment and Nick expedited the process.

Never had a car audio unit fail.

I buy cheap DVD players so they are a disposable item. The Sony ns700 DVD player is now 5 years old with nary a hiccup.

JM Lab subwoofer solder connection failed and the sub required service. A friend who is an electrical engineer took it apart and fixed it in a matter of minutes. JM Lab would be well served to design their woofers with the amp in a vibration controlled compartment (not).
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Edisilva:--- Didn't notice it was missing till you got moved???? Reminds me of when I was a little tyke of about 3 or4. Our family moved; but I found them.--- Then there is the thread I never started about things on hand needing repair.---Because I will always buy another amp/or whatever--when the old one quits---Then never send the thing in for repair. Kinda like selling the car when the ashtray is full.
isellstuff
99 posts
 
That`s the way it goes.
Sony took 6 MONTHS to fix my JA3ES Minidisc recorder.
It was sent back 4 times because they did NOT fix it
properly to begin with. It was OUT of warranty,
AND it only cost me $50 for a look over and shipping
the FIRST time to sony. It`s NOW working PERFECTLY!
HOWEVER, I took my
Pioneer Elite PDR-W37 CD recorder in the shop
in January, because the triple tray is broken,
and 3 MONTHS later, STILL NOTHING has been done to
fix it!
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I think this is a really big problem with high end. It would be great if our "hobby" didn't include so many boutique manufacturers who guard their schematics in fort knox, and insist -if they still exist- that you can only use their facility. Most electronic engineers can isolate the problem and their are quite a few DIY people who can do it themselves but getting old boards and the like can be nearly impossible. They have to let you try to use the repair facility of your choice, in the first place though. Its a really shameful situation. I have a 1992 Coda preamp that is in pristine condition that suddenly dropped a channel, I wouldn't even bother to send it to them, knowing full well that it will cost me an arm and a leg if they even have the parts for that model laying around.
racarlson
68 posts
 
Bryston has been very fast (< 1 week) to fix stuff for me. Teac was about 5 days. Guess I've been lucky.
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