Uber expensive repair at United Radio

@dasign I get you.

However, knowing/diagnosing what area in an amp is the problem is not the same as knowing what circuit(s) is the culprit.

I can determine that the protection board is the problem, but, unless (like most repair shops), I replace the entire circuit board with a new one, I decide to take the time (and yes this really does take time) to find out which components are the culprit (in this case, two chips), then, this will take substantial time.

14 hours is not unreasonable.  People are commenting as if it is obvious that the two chips were the problem on that circuit.  It could just as well have been capacitors, transistors, or worse diodes.  you (as a technician) have to take the time and use standard testing techniques to find out.

Again, this is why many replace the entire circuit board instead of taking the time to find the actual component and remove and replace it.  In many cases, that circuit board (stuffed by-the-way) is unobtainable.  So, you are left with finding the actual failed circuit component and fixing it.

I have several units where I know which circuit board is at fault.  But, this circuit board has all kinds of components on it that could be the problem, including on-board mounted integrated circuits.  And very small ones at that.  Try, just try to un-solder those and put new ones on.  They are a bear.

Ever try to repair a Mark Levinson 23.5 amp?  Great amp even today, but that amp is a serious PITA to work on.

My point?  unless you actually worked on that particular unit yourself and had the same problem, you have no clue how difficult is would be to diagnose (not just the culprit circuit board, but the actual failed component on that particular circuit board), remove the failed items (on-board mounted circuits are a royal pain) and install the new ones, test it and make sure that it works.

enjoy

$2k is a lot of money. Hopefully the second monoblock stays problem free for a few years. Just like cars, some models are simpler to work on than others. I believe the old Pontiac Fiero had to have the engine lifted to just change the spark plugs. I’m not certain how one would shop for an amp and know how simple it is to repair one before purchasing. My FirstWatt j2 looks fairly simple inside compared to the innards of other amps I have seen

I saw this place in Brooklyn that repairs Classe. http://www.highendaudiorepair.com/cd-players-cd-transports.html It would be interesting to find out (I know its probably not possible) what they would charge for same repair. 

Ya probably could have hired the engineers who designed it to fix it for 1/2 that rate. Hourly rate to me was quite high. Low overhead business. Biggest variable on cost is pricing in risk of destroying your stuff.

I've dealt with United for several years,  mainly with Consumer level receivers, amplifiers, etc.  I've also been in the AV business most of my life and have owned all kinds of the good stuff as well.  Being in the business and having to deal with Customer Support all these years, CS has really gone down the tubes with a lot of the Vendors, esp. this past year. You can't blame Covid for poor CS, in most cases, I believe.  Business that care about there Customers will find a way to make things work, or at least give it there best shot.  So where am I going w/ all of this?  I've had 3 high end receivers that were sent into United this past year on separate occasions.  I have not experienced the level of quality that they provided by any service center that I can ever remember.  I filled out their forms, sent the pieces in, got an email response when they were received at United, plus received a status call on when it was shipped, and a follow up after I received it. The repairs took less time than they had estimated as well.  Needless to say, I'm impressed with there service, esp. with all that is going on. It made me want to do better at what I do, too.   I can also tell you that a lot of the manufactures aren't taking in equipment for repair because of the parts shortage that's out there.  A friend of mine works in a very High-End audio store, and when you walk into one of the rooms there are stacks of products sitting there waiting to get an RMA so they can get it fixed or replaced.  There are some products out there that have been at the Manufacture for over a year, waiting for parts.  The largest DAC chip manufacturer burned down in Japan last year and it's affected AV, Automobiles, etc.   Anyway, it's ugly out there in the electronics world.   That's my soapbox!

The OP may or may not have a point about his experience with United, BUT I do believe that there are now numerous examples of the ’repair’ shop trying to gouge the customer. Just yesterday I called up my car dealer for a simple oil and filter change. Since I have a newer vehicle, I prefer to go to the authorized dealer for service. The dealer tells me that they won’t just do an oil and filter change, they have to check that the headlights work, the windshield wipers work, the turn signals work and the tires have the proper tread life remaining. Therefore, the cost of the ’service’ is about $650-, of which the oil change portion is about one quarter. ( which is still pricey). So, what happens when i ask how much are they charging for checking that the headlights work, I get a laugh as a response ( I kid you not!). DO you guys think this kind of attitude/business plan and CS is acceptable, after all I knew the estimate up front?