There would be a good chance that Bill O'Connell of Morninstar Audio, the Distributor of EE products, would have a competent repair facility close by if you sent the unit back. My guess is that the diagnostics would be much less time consuming, and the parts perhaps immediately available if the repair facility is tied in with Morningstar, i.e. working with them on regular basis.
If you get the unit repaired and switch to the discrete Opamps I think it will win you over despite the repair.
If you get the unit repaired and switch to the discrete Opamps I think it will win you over despite the repair.