McIntosh Repair Recommendations - Los Angeles

[ColonelKurtz]

I got my McIntosh receiver back today, after being at a "certified" McIntosh repair place here in Los Angeles, and not only did they not fix the problem, now there's a 2nd problem: the right Power Guard light is stuck on (see photo below), even when nothing is connected to the receiver, or when everything is hooked up to the receiver. They charged me $500 to not only NOT repair my receiver, but to add another problem as well. To add insult to injury, they told me it was bench tested for 24 hours before I picked it up. I'd like anyone to tell me how someone could bench test a receiver for 24 hrs. without noticing that a Power Guard light is stuck on the whole time, and never was before, but also from the moment I plugged it in at home, the initial problem was in full effect. What this says to me is carelessness, and dishonesty. It's disgusting. If there is anyone here on this forum in Los Angeles that can do repair, please let me know. Thanks

 

[c_dk]

If I remember correctly you were having problems with a relay.......an improper relay or a solder bridge between signal paths could lock up the PG.

Last I read you were delving in yourself.

Boards soldered on both sides can be a PITA. Lifting traces under the relay can be a real issue.

As to releasing it to you still broken, no answer but carelessness

I know of know service certification beyond a credit check and a certain level of test gear.

 

[captouch]

The place you took it to doesn't have some kind of warranty for their work?

I've read positive things about
http://northridgeelectronics.com/

But never used them myself. Search here on AK for Tom Ishimoto and you can see feedback for all the members that have used him/Northridge.

 

[ColonelKurtz]

If I remember correctly you were having problems with a relay.......an improper relay or a solder bridge between signal paths could lock up the PG.

Last I read you were delving in yourself.

Boards soldered on both sides can be a PITA. Lifting traces under the relay can be a real issue.

As to releasing it to you still broken, no answer but carelessness

I know of know service certification beyond a credit check and a certain level of test gear.

Thanks. My time got short, so, as per suggestions from folks, rather than plug in my own solder iron, I took it to supposedly the best authorized McIntosh repair shop in town. From what I can see, all they did was a recap on a board. Certainly not $500 worth of work, as well as they somehow caused the right channel to get stuck in power guard. I brought it back to them today and they're gonna handle it (famous last words). Truth is, all of the supposedly great repair guys out here have mixed reviews. I'd rather take it to people who don't seem burnt out on what is a "job" for them, sort of half listening / talking over you while they're imagining how much money they might be able to take you for. Guys like Echowars (sadly, he's not around), or whoever could recommend a forum member here, that lives in Los Angeles. Maybe there aren't any, at this point in time.

 

[ColonelKurtz]

The place you took it to doesn't have some kind of warranty for their work?

I've read positive things about
http://northridgeelectronics.com/

But never used them myself. Search here on AK for Tom Ishimoto and you can see feedback for all the members that have used him/Northridge.

He charged me a non refundable $150 deposit fee (to go towards repair, if there was one needed) to change a fuse in my KEF 105.1. I don't care what the fine print says on his receipt contract, that's just not cool. I'm learning the hard way, but quickly.

 

[captouch]

Thanks. My time got short, so, as per suggestions from folks, rather than plug in my own solder iron, I took it to supposedly the best authorized McIntosh repair shop in town. From what I can see, all they did was a recap on a board. Certainly not $500 worth of work, as well as they somehow caused the right channel to get stuck in power guard. I brought it back to them today and they're gonna handle it (famous last words). Truth is, all of the supposedly great repair guys out here have mixed reviews. I'd rather take it to people who don't seem burnt out on what is a "job" for them, sort of half listening / talking over you while they're imagining how much money they might be able to take you for. Guys like Echowars (sadly, he's not around), or whoever could recommend a forum member here, that lives in Los Angeles. Maybe there aren't any, at this point in time.

Well, I'm glad they're at least going to try to fix it. For $500, they should stand behind their work. Hope they fix it right this time.

He charged me a non refundable $150 deposit fee (to go towards repair, if there was one needed) to change a fuse in my KEF 105.1. I don't care what the fine print says on his receipt contract, that's just not cool. I'm learning the hard way, but quickly.

That's unfortunate. Addressing that for a nominal charge could have built goodwill with you for the next repair or as a positive referral.

I've struggled with the dilemma of when to bring something in vs when/how to attempt to handle on my own. The only local Mac repair center near me charges $175 for initial diagnosis which also gets applied to the repair if approved and I think their hourly fee is about the same $175 or thereabouts. So it can add up very very fast to a very expensive repair bill for something, that will some knowledge and patience, can often be resolved on your own.

As a result, I've never taken something in as of yet and always managed (through the help of people here at AK as well as diyaudio) to muddle my way through to get things done. Ultimately, you're paying for knowledge and experience and that apparently doesn't come cheap. Same for doctors and lawyers. . .

 

[ColonelKurtz]

Well, I'm glad they're at least going to try to fix it. For $500, they should stand behind their work. Hope they fix it right this time.



That's unfortunate. Addressing that for a nominal charge could have built goodwill with you for the next repair or as a positive referral.

I've struggled with the dilemma of when to bring something in vs when/how to attempt to handle on my own. The only local Mac repair center near me charges $175 for initial diagnosis which also gets applied to the repair if approved and I think their hourly fee is about the same $175 or thereabouts. So it can add up very very fast to a very expensive repair bill for something, that will some knowledge and patience, can often be resolved on your own.

As a result, I've never taken something in as of yet and always managed (through the help of people here at AK as well as diyaudio) to muddle my way through to get things done. Ultimately, you're paying for knowledge and experience and that apparently doesn't come cheap. Same for doctors and lawyers. . .

Wish I had the time to work on 'em myself, because I'd enjoy replacing caps, relays, etc... Not that this would fix the problem. I get it.. its equipment that's more than 40 years old, in a lot of cases, and even the most experienced diagnostic technician misses their mark, from time to time... This is not that. This is extravagant repair charges, for the simple work (recapping a board) that was done, and not only not fixing the actual problem, but adding another problem, as well. I'm dumbfounded about their claim to have bench tested it "all day", after they fixed it - because THEE moment I plugged it in after taking it home, the right channel was not playing until I cranked the volume, and that's when I noticed.... the. power. guard. light. now. stuck. on.