Service question: Who can service an Esoteric UX-1 CD/SACD player modified by APL NWO 3.0?

Several people have suggested reaching out to APL. We have done that and APL has offered to assist if possible. APL’s main office is based in Bulgaria which likely requires expensive shipping costs. Also APL may or may not have the laser pickup in stock.

I did hear back from Keith at Esoteric and I understand that one solution proposed by TAP to the buyer is shipping the unit to APL, asking APL to remove the transport and ship the transport to Esoteric in Japan where Esoteric can replace the laser pickup, and then Esoteric could ship the transport back to APL, who could reinstall it into the unit and return the repaired unit to the buyer. While this may work it is a complex process requiring several legs of shipping across the globe.

This is a complex situation given that TAP has apparently decided they will not remove the transport and ship it to Esoteric in Japan for repair due to their concerns about doing damage to the unit in the process. According to fatdaddy2’s post most OEM service centers won’t work on modified units. I don’t know if that is the case, but as a consumer who spent a lot of money on this unit, it is certainly disappointing. 
I intend to resolve this with the buyer, likely by refunding him a portion of the sale price, and move on. I appreciate the input posted here. 
 

I wonder how much all that shipping may run.

If I was the seller/OP, I would take the Unit back, maybe offering to refund 90% of the price, keeping the rest to cover shipping costs and your time.  I would do this just to maintain a good rating on the listing service through which he made the sale (if not Agon).  Then perhaps do all that shipping rigamarole if you wish or else cannibalize the unit for spare parts, or sell it to a repair place that will do the same. 

So here's another twist on the question.  Will TAP repair a unit that was not bought in the U.S. and not the original purchaser?  I know it's out of any warranty but will they do repairs?

I know that this is a reply to an old thread but as the owner of two Esoteric units, one of which was repaired by TAP, as long the unit is all original and they have the parts, they will repair anything Esoteric, even if you are not the original owner, plus if the unit is out of warranty.  The bottom line is that the total cost of the repair is on you. Shipping is rather nightmarish, at least for me as TAP wants the item in question shipped via freight to them plus the return. Be sure to contact TAP before deciding to ship anything to them so you can discuss with them possible repairs, repair time, costs etc. That seems to be a "no-brainer" but TAP has told me that items just happen to show up at their doorstep with notes packed along with the item needing to be fixed as to what needs to be repaired.