Modification Nightmares

it is with a valid fully authorized warranty repair shop,and the parts needed are a bugger to get,not sure what caused the problem yet

Try Dan Wright at Modwright.
He is not only a modder but a builder and knows what makes a component sound better. He isn't just a tech replacing parts to replace parts.

Mclsound, It is with a Marantz warranty service center and they are having a hard time getting parts? Boy, if you paid with a credit card or through pay pal I think I would have sent the player back to the company who did the mods and sent in for a dispute until resolved. If you had a guarantee or warranty then they are required by law to take care of you unless there is shipping damage and that is very hard to prove. Money back guarantees and warrantees should be considered next time. Now you will have to pay someone else to get it fixed. Maybe everything will work out and you find to have an excellent sounding player one day.

There may be another side to this story regarding possible "hot" goods. Will be interesting to see how this one turns out. I was informed today that this is not the only forum site where this has been talked about. I am just glad it's not me. I can see why a lot of questions are not answered or answered very vaguely.

I have had several pieces modded / upgraded / and custom built. In all cases, there were definite improvements and I have been very satisfied.

Except, for one issue -- it has been my experience that several modders / custom builders have frustratingly long, long, long turnover times. I've waited 6 months one time for a CD player clock to be swapped with a new one and I'm currently looking well into the 7th month of waiting for a custom build.

I know, there is a multitude of factors (one man shop, supplier issues, etc) but dog-on, the state just finished a bridge rebuild were I live in 4 months (with the lowest bidder)...