MORE Esoteric problems


Hi all, I posted an issue with Esoteric CD players a couple of years ago. I bought a UX-3SE from an eBay seller. It skipped all CD's. I called Esoteric. ALL SACD players with the "U" model numbers need to go to Japan because that's where the alignment jig is. $2500.00 at that time JUST for the shipping back and forth. I returned the player to the seller naturally. An Asian gentleman working at TAP electronics told me at that time that the models with the "X" can all be repaired in California. Great I said. I bought an Esoteric X-01. A great player! Now it doesn't read SACD's. I sent it to TAP last week. A follow up call from TAP gave me the dreaded news that NOW the X-01 needs to go to Japan for the jig alignment procedure. WHAT! They did reduce the transportation cost to $1600.00. And this is for shipping only. I think that the audio community needs to send Esoteric a message and boycott ALL Esoteric products. BTW, it's not just their CD players that are required to make the trip to Japan if repairs are needed. I understand that certain models of preamp and integrated amps fall under this requirement as well. How can a company such as Esoteric not do better for the consumer?
128x128jnovak

Showing 15 responses by jafant

tvad

Thank You for sharing your customer service experience. It is imperative to post positive and negative experience(s) when dealing with authorized repair centers.

Happy Listening!
1stump

Keep us posted on your repair/service experience via Esoteric.

Happy Listening!

thaluza


Much Thanks! for the update. It would be really impressive if TAP electronics offered repair/service for the DV-50/50S/60 series of players.

Those models are over 10 years old now.


Happy Listening!

jnovak
Much Thanks! for the follow -up. On one hand, it sounds (no pun) pretty cool to have the drive/transport assembly go back to Japan for special treatment. On the other hand, no reason why Esoteric could not incorporate said Lab somewhere in California? There are plenty of lab(s) and electronic-based personnel already in place.
Happy Listening!
arch2
Thank You for taking the time to engage those Esoteric reps and posting said information here. Very helpful to the rest of Esoteric owners here on Audiogon.
Happy Listening!
jnovak

did TAP expound any details about the ins-outs of sending these Esoteric spinners back to Japan?  Happy Listening!

jnovak

Thank You for the update. Do you have a repair/service invoice from TAP?  Keep us posted on the whole CD/SACD playback capability.


Happy Listening!

arch2

After your Axpona visit next month post an update should you engage the representatives from Esoteric. Specifically, inquire about the special circumstances surrounding the jig alignment process. Happy Listening!
jnovak
Thank You for sharing this important information for Esoteric owners.I knew that I had read about these infractions previously. I did not know which series of players affected? It seems to me that TAP could have an Esoteric rep fly to California once every month to provide Customer Service. Additionally, TAP should have a jig arranger on-site. There are many of you guys that support this brand. Sad.