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?




tandh12
Very few problems over the years. Some turntables and tonearms did not work well but they were not defective. I have had units go south after decades of service but I think that is expected.
Still got an aiwa ad f770 cassette deck made in 1983, and its little brother, the f660. They are both going strong, no issues. Just played some Frank Sinatra and Patsy Cline cassettes through the 770, amazing! I got Tannoy eatons, Sugden A21se, Marantz pm14s1, Marantz sa 8005 sacd, Marantz hd cd-1, Marantz st6000, Music Hall mmf-7.3, Project the classic sb, Hana el, ortofon 2m bronze, border patrol dac, musical fidelity v90 dac, Tavish Design the classic phono preamp, Akg k550's, Graham slee novo headphone amp, Jensen and Rothwell SUT's....etc etc....all have zero issues!
Maybe I'm just unlucky!

However, with the near 100% free-from-defects and reliability levels being reported here surely the audio repair shops would be out of business. What about warranties? If products are as bullet proof as forum members report, why are warranties usu only 1-3 years (Bryston / PMC / Rega excepted)? Maybe one or two repair shops could weigh in here and give us their perspective?
No problems here with Pass, Magnepan, Ayre, VPI or Parasound. Also have a much older Kenwood tuner and Pioneer tape deck still working fine.
My bad past experience was with an SAE amp in the 90’s. First unit i received the balance and volume switches were reversed. Sent back on my dime for replacement. Then two tears out of warranty right channel out. Had local guy look at and fix. He had to re solder the entire unit. He said the used a cold solder process that is junk. He fixed and said he would never do it again. Still works great in my garage. All my new equipment no issues st all. Schiit, IfI, Vandersteen, Denfrspes all no issues. Also have a Sansui 7070 running in my wife's salon other than power outages it has not been turned off for 25 years. Still tock solid.