Does the Audio Industry Have a Quality Problem?

Evaluating the audio equipment I’ve owned over the years there were issues (either technical or product quality) with virtually every piece. The issues affected both electronics and speakers; ranged from entry level kit to the expensive (for me) stuff I currently own; and was irrespective of country of manufacture. In most cases the retailer / manufacturer resolved the problems on the first attempt and thereafter I had no further issues. So a thumbs up for responsiveness and good customer service. Once working properly, all the products performed extremely well sound quality-wise as well as being user-friendly - another thumbs up for well thought out design. However, it would be better if the products were built to a higher standard and quality control was such that the need for after sales service was rare. My experience is that the problem has become worse over time. I was out of the hobby for the whole of the noughties. When I got back into it in 2012, the first product I purchased to bring my system up to date was a DAC - A new Rega DAC (the original not the DAC-R). It didn’t work - no analogue output signal. Replacement was despatched immediately. Three years later the internal power supply failed. Returned to Rega for FOC repair / shipping.

Here are some other examples

* Mission LX-5 floorstanding speakers (new - made in China): Horrible, unsightly 18 inch-long defect in the white Sandex finish of one speaker, Replaced.

* Naim Supernait 2 integrated amplifier (new - made in England): After approx 18 months, no output from one channel when AV bypass switched-in (activated). When unit came back from Naim service, the volume knob fell off! Amp has been incorrectly packed such that the not inconsiderable weight of the amp was forcing the knob inward which in turn compressed the split spindle on which it was mounted. The spindle no longer had sufficient springiness to grip the splines on the inside of the knob. Given the state of the packaging, the shipment appeared to have had quite a rough ride. I decided against returning it to Naim for a second time and modded it myself. A really great amp in so many ways. But disappointing that Naim used the universal type of knob you used to get on cheap electrical appliances and radios (the volume unit itself is a remote-controlled Blue Alps and is excellent). Also poorly designed packaging and staff that didn’t take the time to pack it correctly.

Linn Selekt DSM streaming DAC / pre-amp (new - made in Scotland): Unsightly clump of something in the black, silver flecked powder finish on the top of the unit. Returned. Replacement unit arrived with the same issue. Returned. Retailer got the production manager involved and the third unit was perfect. Disappointing in a product of this price.

Focal Kanta No. 2 floor standing speakers (ex-display - made in France): On one speaker the glass top is not flush with the outsize front baffle. There is a gap of 2mm-3mm. It’s the equivalent of the getting the ’shutlines’ wrong on a car - a casualty of mass production that’s not uncommon. As it’s only noticeable on close inspection and not visible from the front I’ve taken no action. Big, heavy speakers are a hassle moving and I’m not confident replacements wouldn’t have a different - maybe worse - defect.

Technics SL-1210GAE 55th Anniversary Limited Edition turntable (new - made in Japan): Really great sounding table! But there is a colour mismatch/blemish in the matte black finish of the plinth which is a composite of die-cast aluminium, bulk moulding compound, and heavyweight rubber. However, as it’s on the side and not visible from the front I’ve again taken no action. Also, upon on unpacking, I found that one of the aluminium isolation feet that were lightly screwed into the bottom of the plinth was loose in the box and as a result had become scratched. So much for the Japanese’s obsessive attention to detail.

Thoughts / experiences?