MORE Esoteric problems


Hi all, I posted an issue with Esoteric CD players a couple of years ago. I bought a UX-3SE from an eBay seller. It skipped all CD's. I called Esoteric. ALL SACD players with the "U" model numbers need to go to Japan because that's where the alignment jig is. $2500.00 at that time JUST for the shipping back and forth. I returned the player to the seller naturally. An Asian gentleman working at TAP electronics told me at that time that the models with the "X" can all be repaired in California. Great I said. I bought an Esoteric X-01. A great player! Now it doesn't read SACD's. I sent it to TAP last week. A follow up call from TAP gave me the dreaded news that NOW the X-01 needs to go to Japan for the jig alignment procedure. WHAT! They did reduce the transportation cost to $1600.00. And this is for shipping only. I think that the audio community needs to send Esoteric a message and boycott ALL Esoteric products. BTW, it's not just their CD players that are required to make the trip to Japan if repairs are needed. I understand that certain models of preamp and integrated amps fall under this requirement as well. How can a company such as Esoteric not do better for the consumer?
jnovak
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@tvad    Thanks for the update. That does indeed make one more comfortable with dealing with TAP. I think your experience with the price 'adjustment' is also interesting...unfortunately I suspect that a lot of times it is going to depend on the particular person that you converse with at the company...and while that is no excuse, it is seemingly more prevalent these days. Too bad that a bad apple at the company can sour the whole experience.
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tvad

Thank You for sharing your customer service experience. It is imperative to post positive and negative experience(s) when dealing with authorized repair centers.

Happy Listening!