2. digital
  3. 189023-125670

Company headquarters and warranty repairs

I'm contemplating between three DACs: Ayre QX5 Twenty, Chord Dave, and Mola Mola Tambaqui.  I've not yet auditioned them but will do so in the next few weeks.

These companies are in the US, UK, and Netherlands respectively.  If I buy a DAC and I need to send it in for a repair/upgrade, being able to send it to a center in the same country as I live in (US) would be cheaper and faster.  If I was considering cheaper DACs (e.g., < $1000) I may not care but with a $10+K DAC, if it breaks down even in a few years, I *will* want to get it repaired.

 

Any thoughts on the reliability of these DACs (and thus the likelihood that I'd need to send them in).  Is this something you consider or should I just worry about sound quality since it is unlikely that an electronic component with no moving parts will need a repair?

deone
ellajeanelle's avatar
ellajeanelle
386 posts
 

I'd buy US made unless they offer repairs and replacements in the US, and I would make some calls to verify in advance.  Just my opinion...

It has been my past experience with electronics that don't have moving parts that if there's something wrong the problem will surface immediately and if it doesn't it should last for many years to come.

Disclaimer:  I have absolutely nothing against foreign made goods as they are often better than US made, and I own many, including all my cars, but I also do my homework in advance, just in case something goes wrong!

jond's avatar
jond
5,669 posts
 

I'd buy the Dac that sounded best and those are all 3 pretty prominent brands I'm sure all 3 have some sort of US service arrangement. You can find this out pretty easily if you search.

soix
8,714 posts
 

I agree that at those prices I’d ensure each has some US-based repair facility.  If they don’t I’d cross it off the list immediately because overseas shipping is very expensive these days, and who needs that when there are plenty of excellent DACs that can be serviced here?

More to discover