I think this is a really big problem with high end. It would be great if our "hobby" didn't include so many boutique manufacturers who guard their schematics in fort knox, and insist -if they still exist- that you can only use their facility. Most electronic engineers can isolate the problem and their are quite a few DIY people who can do it themselves but getting old boards and the like can be nearly impossible. They have to let you try to use the repair facility of your choice, in the first place though. Its a really shameful situation. I have a 1992 Coda preamp that is in pristine condition that suddenly dropped a channel, I wouldn't even bother to send it to them, knowing full well that it will cost me an arm and a leg if they even have the parts for that model laying around.
The black hole of component repair?
Is the repair time for components typically measured in months? I have been fortunate over the last ten years with this hobby but at the end of January I had to send an amplifier and a DVD player in for repairs. The DVD player was past warranty and had to be sent to an independent service facility. They have had the player for 6 weeks and informed me today that the manufacturer in the UK sent them the wrong part (or maybe they ordered the wrong part) and they are waiting for the correct part. Looks like another 3-4 weeks before I see the DVD player. The amplifier was under warranty so that went back to the manufacturer. The amp sat on the floor for 6 weeks. I was told today that they have looked at it and that they have located the board they need to fix it. They may be able to get it installed in a week but can not make any promises. I am guessing that it will be another 3-4 weeks before I see the amplifier. I know some of this repair time is unavoidable but weeks can quickly turn into months especially with shipping time and components sitting around for weeks before they are even looked at. I now know why there are frequently things for sale on Audiogon where the listing states something like "just back from the factory in perfect working order". I guess when you send something in for repair you might just as well go ahead and replace the item right away and then sell whatever you sent in for repair when you finally get it back.