The cost of shipping and customs alone from the US to Canada and back cost more than the actual work I had done on my Blue Circle amp. If you feel the Lavardin is worth it you'll have to bite the bullet and pay the shipping plus the work. If the Lavardin is not worth it to you then you won't. You're right about Lavardin though, it's very bad service they're providing. Sorry about your troubles. I have no alternative advice to give. Based on your story, I'd never consider them now. In fact, I will try to buy strictly stateside gear from now on after my own experience.
Lavardin Amplifier Repair
I am a Canadian expat working in Saudi Arabia. I recently bought a used Lavardin IS amplifier from U.K. When the amp arrived and I plugged it in there was no sound from one of the channels. I sent an email to Lavardin in France asking my best course of action. They were prompt in replying and mentioned that if I ship the amp to France (and arrange to get it shipped back from France) they could upgrade the amp to IS Reference for Euro 1,000. Since I did not want to spend this much money (+ 2 way shipping) I decided to take the amp to Montreal during my home leave. I took the amp to the North American Distributor of Lavardin (Codell Audio, who are located in Montreal) who kept the amp for 2 weeks and then informed me they would ask for schematics or circuit board from Lavardin. Later they informed me that the only way to get the amp fixed was to ship to France. I then gave the amp to a high end audio store in Montreal who also do repairs. They told me that they had found the problem transistor but since the part number had been scratched off by the manufacturer they would need to get the exact replacement from Lavardin. Now they are getting in touch with Lavardin to see if they can get the replacement transistor. I am afraid the answer would still be the same i.e., ship the amp to France.
I am very disappointed that a reputable company would not trust and enable it's own distributor with making repairs to an amp. This situation raises serious questions about the wisdom of buying a Lavardin. Also, I think it is unfair that a manufacturer should not provide a replacement part (I have no problem if the part has o number on it) to fix a problem and insist on a expensive (I was quoted C$ 163 one way by the Lavardin North American Distributor)process of shipping (2 ways) to France.
I was wondering if any forum memeber is able to help me here in anyway to repair the amp without spending a fortune.
I am very disappointed that a reputable company would not trust and enable it's own distributor with making repairs to an amp. This situation raises serious questions about the wisdom of buying a Lavardin. Also, I think it is unfair that a manufacturer should not provide a replacement part (I have no problem if the part has o number on it) to fix a problem and insist on a expensive (I was quoted C$ 163 one way by the Lavardin North American Distributor)process of shipping (2 ways) to France.
I was wondering if any forum memeber is able to help me here in anyway to repair the amp without spending a fortune.
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