Service question: Who can service an Esoteric UX-1 CD/SACD player modified by APL NWO 3.0?


I recently sold my Esoteric UX-1 CD/SACD player with the DAC section modified by APL to the NWO 3.0 DAC. Unfortunately soon after the buyer purchased the unit the SACD laser pickup in the transport mechanism failed, although it had been working when I shipped the unit (CDs can still be played, just not SACDs). The buyer inquired with TAP Electronics, Esoteric’s national service center in the US, and they asked him to ship the unit to them, knowing it had been modified by APL, but then they refused to repair the unit because it was modified by APL. TAP Electronics inquired with Esoteric in Japan who also refused to repair the unit for the same reason. This is frustrating because even though the DAC section has been modified, it is the laser pickup in Esoteric’s transport mechanism that has failed, and yet Esoteric appears unwilling to support its customers by providing a path to service and repair the transport in this very high end (read expensive) piece of audio equipment. I have inquired with Keith Haas, the national sales manager for Esoteric, and after initially sending me an email saying he would “dig into this” and get back to me, he has gone silent and isn’t returning my emails now.

So my question is, does anyone know who else in the US can service the unit, meaning replace the SACD laser pickup?  I like for buyers of my pre owned audio equipment to be fully satisfied with their purchase. Obviously the buyer of my APL modified Esoteric unit is not satisfied as he thought the unit would play both CDs and SACDs. I am trying to assist him in finding a way to get it fixed. In any case I will work with him to find a mutually satisfactory resolution.

johnax

I believe it is quite doubtful the OP will be able to resolve a repair with Esoteric for this unit.   The deep discount available for preowned gear can be very attractive, and I have previously purchased preowned, but not modified outside of the manufacturer and not preowned with CD or SACD drives.   I was not familiar with specs of this unit, but in a quick web search, it appears this unit also has DVD Audio and Video capabilities with no digital in even S-Video outputs.   I am guessing the original manufacturer date is 20+ years ago.   Even Esoteric may no longer bench stock repair parts for this unit.  

You could invest a good deal of time and additional monies without the resolution you wish, and other repairs could come up.  If you can live with just CD playback and happy with sound, you could just stay where you are.  If you have a significant SACD library, then you could look new.   I'm sorry for your situation, but you could continue to chase good monies into a very dated unit that most probably will not meet your expectations.