Levinson 3XX Amplifier Repairs


Thought i would post this as it is hard to find any solid information online about the Mark Levinson 33x capacitor repair problem.

I purchased a 332 here on audiogon about 6 months ago. A few weeks ago it developed a loud hum in the right channel. i contacted Levinson (or what is left of them) and was informed that there are only 2 authorized repair shops in the US. Pyramid Audio in Texas and The Service Bench in Mass.

I called the service bench first and was informed that they charged a FLAT LABOR RATE OF $900 + parts! This was a crazy number so i called Pyramid Audio. They said it was a $100 diagonstic fee that would be applied to parts and labor. this seemed reasonable so i shipped the amp to them ($150 shipping).

About 1 week later i received a call from Pyramid Audio stating that my reapir was going to be $1600!!! They also gave me the option of abandoning the amp or having it shipped back!

I feel that i am getting gouged here but really have no choice so i went ahead and got the amp repaired. i'll keep everyone posted on how the repairs ended up.
gmoneyreece

Showing 1 response by jeffb28451

My disgust with Levinson attitudes under both Madrigal and HK has already been expressed. Yes, you're getting gouged for what you're getting. The repair parts and labor are nothing special, except for their pricing, where they become truly "exceptional".

$8000 DAC's orphaned, repairs refused, promised upgrades never delivered, etc. etc. After my first deal with them on a 35 DAC and then a 332 amp, I got rid of all 3 pieces of Levinson then in my system because of the hatred I have for them.

Even when they ran through Madrigal, their own service tech agreed with me that, next time I had some fun money, I should just buy a nice new shotgun instead of spending money on more Levinson (maybe he knew what was coming)

I have to say this to JMC, above: he's right in some ways, but you'd never catch Nelson Pass or Gordon Rankin pulling stunts like this.