Ticking noise in Audio Research Reference CD7

bifwynne, thanks for your feedback...

I don't think that taking off the cover screws with a Philips screwdriver then doing the same with 4 screws of the plate and then to the 4 Torx screws of the transport plastic cover is calling for substantial engineering background. I have not fiddled with anything further nor I had in mind to do so.

And yes, I'm disappointed that such a unit after a few thousands of hours falls apart.

And yes, I'm also disappointed that I have to pay for the power supply upgrade which is a design failure of ARC, as explained to me personally by Calvin.

And yest, the costs of repair out of warranty in France, where I live, are outrageous and I think this is another failure of ARC to not be able to control the behavior of the people who represent them over seas. This isn't what I'd expect from a market leader towards its customers.

And the worst part of the failure, more even than the cost, is having to send the unit somewhere for repair which takes a long turn around time and in the meantime I just can't listen to music.

Bottom line, I love how the CD7 sounds but I think some aspects here, both commercial and technical, cold have been handled in a more customer friendly manner.

Sorry for being grumpy at your beloved manufacturer but this is what I'm feeling.

Enjoy the music.

Sorry, forgot the 6550 matter...

This idea came to me from people who have actually done it. I'm by no means an expert who would have come with such a thought from scratch.
Your posts on my other thread indeed put the doubt in my mind and I'm verifying if indeed this is possible to do.

Again, I had no intention of bypassing the instructions coming from the big leader.

Cheers.

PS
I'm married to an American lady hence know and respect all that is American workmanship, culture, etc (maybe excluding the food...).

Amuseb, sorry if I came off as the "Ugly American." Sorry also about your trouble.

My experience in the States is that the ARC organization has bent over backwards to provide excellent service and support. Check my thread where I passed along a situation where my amp, still under warranty, had a blown bias resister. ARC sent the local authorized service rep to my home that night and fixed the amp in 45 minutes. My cost -- zero! I tipped the tech for his coutersy. Some service, huh??

I suggest that you call Cal back and tell him what's going on. I know he'll do what he can to help out. Unfortunately, your problem is that you live across the pond so to speak and that complcates everything and makes even the ordinary cost $$$$.

Please report back how you make out. Tell Cal that Bruce sends his regards and ask if the timing has changed regarding when ARC will start doing the Ref 5 SE upgrade. LOL

Cheers and good luck.

No worries Bruce, I probably am also a bit tense as in-laws are vising here from Allentown, PA...

From what I know of the local ARC rep, the chances of him coming to fix my CD7 in the middle of the night or even in broad day light are smaller than the chances the supreme court will reverse its call on the Obamacare

I'll surely give Cal a call on Monday, as soon as the time difference between Paris and Plymouth permits; will make sure to pop your name in the conversation.

Regards.

Amuseb,

You should have mentioned that your wife's family hails from Allentown. That's practcially in my backyard. I live in the Philly burbs. Don't know how feasible this idea is but here goes.

The ARC service rep I'm thinking about lives in Elkins Park, PA. Cal can give you his contact information. The tech's first name is Dan and he works with Cal and Chris all the time.

So here's the idea. I bet Dan can fix the unit and do the upgrade too. He is very accomodating. Anyway, check with Cal and talk to Dan. If your in-laws can bring the CD-7 back to the US with them, it's about a 45 minute drive from Allentown to Elkins Park. Heck, Dan might even drive up to Allentown if you pay for his time and miles.

After the unit is fixed, your in-laws can either ship it back or bring it back on their next visit. Hopefully, replacing or fixing the affected parts in the transport may not be too big a deal. This may hurt a bit, but it might just be easier to buy a new replacement from ARC and have them send it to Dan. He can bring the new transport with him to Allentown and one, two six, he's done. I gather the PS upgrade is a snap and the drop in of the transport a 30 minute or less job. I bet Dan would spend more time in the car then with the CD-7.

If this doesn't work, maybe something in the middle, like Dan fixing just the transport and have the PS upgrade done where you live. Anyway, talk to Cal and Dan and see what you can arrange.

Let me know how this works out for you. As you see, the ARC community is a like family.

Good luck.