Mark Levinson Repairs


I own a Mark Levinson # 331 Power amp and recently the right output channel failed. I called ML service dept to get a quote for repairs and and was shocked when i was told they don't do repairs on this amp anymore and even if they did there are no parts available. They also told me that a 3rd party service center would not be able to help either because they will not have the schematics and they will not give it out to anyone. this was more shocking as based on this information the amp will never be fixed, i do blame myself for not doing research on this company policies prior to buying the amp if i did i would not be in this situation. I own several Mcintosh equi[tment that cost the same or less and older than the ML 331 and i have had them repaired at Mcintosh or my local tech shop i even bought the service manual for one of the amps. 

Does anyone here has the same issue and if so how did you get your amp repaired, any suggestions will be appreciated FYI when the amp was working it was excellent quality sound so the equipment is good just the service sucks !

Thanks for reading.   

raggah

Mark Levinson is owned by Harmon Kardon which is owned by Samsung. Harmon Kardon is a respected name in consumer and professional audio. Levinson has certainly had issues with customer service in the past but to compare them and Harmon Kardon to washing machines and cell phones is not exactly fair.

 

PS Audio is a separate, privately owned company founded by Paul McGown. McGowen left the company for a while  in the '90s but went back and, as far as I know, is still there.  I have no idea what your service problem was, but they are a respected audio company.

Every company provides different levels of customer service. My 16+ year old Ayre Acoustics AX-7e integrated amp stopped working (no sound). I returned the amp to my retailer. He confirmed it was not working (checked the fuses, etc.) and shipped it back to Ayre for repairs.

My repaired amp was returned about a month later. My repair cost was zero (they paid shipping both ways). Ayre repaired the amp, never told us what was wrong and restored it to factory specs. I thanked both my retailer and Ayre.

This is an example of excellent customer service. I was very impressed. 

Thanks

Thanks to all in this forum who took the time to read and respond to my issue. I did call all the authorized repair agents given to me by ML and they all said the same thing, they don't have the parts to do any repairs on this amp. they also said under no circumstances will they provide the schematics even if the unit is discontinued. I think i will sell the unit as is for parts as its not worth the headache. I own several Mcintosh amps which are just as old or older than the ML and can have them repaired just about anywhere where i live with no problem Mcintosh gave us the all the schematics for the amps in question, I think i will continue to buy their equipment. MC2300 X2 MC2205 X1 MC 275 X1 and a MA230 all working. 

The company is very different than when those amps were build. And pretty much all of them need the caps replaced and quality parts have been hard to find.  It is frustrating but not too surprising that they will not fix the amp.

 

I have 20 year old Thermador double wall ovens and the lower one does not work. The control board is not available, so I am out of luck using the bottom oven.  And that company is still very much in business.  It happens, unfortunately.

@raggah. I don't believe that you contacted George Meyer AV repair facility in Los Angeles, CA.

 

They are an authorized Mark Levinson repair facility and a simple call would confirm this.

I have had two Mark Levinson 23.5 amps repaired and one ML3.  Also many Audio Research pieces.

Also, just for your information regardless of whether a technician is authorized or not, a good technician can diagnose and repair.  Unless the parts are simply not available.

I know for certain they repair 331 amps.

Their website list the following.

Authorized Audio Research Service and repair

Authorized Levinson Service and Repair

Authorized McIntosh Service and Repair

Authorized Krell Service and Repair

Authorized Wadia Service and Repair

Authorized Hegel Service and Repair

Authorized Jadis Service and Repair

and if you click on their link, they list about eighty brands they repair.

Also, speaking to their technicians, they stock hard to find parts.

Anyway, I'm not affiliated with them other than being a many times customer, but it is good to know of a repair facility that I can trust.

enjoy