What to do when your hi-fi needs repairing
It’s fair to say that most regular readers like the idea of buying new hi-fi. But what happens when things go wrong? Can you get today’s audio equipment repaired, or is it all destined for landfill?
One of the inherent benefits of high-end audio is that much of it is hand built and engineered to last for decades. Not only do quality components sound incredible, but most reputable companies accommodate servicing, repairs and even upgrades.
Naim Audio, for instance, has a service centre in Salisbury – I’ve heard tales of one discontinued 30-yearold amplifier having replacement volume controls 3D printed there. Similarly, NAD has the philosophy that if
80 per cent of a product is still relevant and operating, then it makes perfect sense to replace only the 20 per cent that has become obsolete.
Owners of Mcintosh audio components can get parts for equipment dating back to the 1960s, and repairs for even older designs are possible in their New York centre. In the UK, Chord Electronics have designed all their products to be serviceable. ‘Even though our components rarely go wrong, they’re largely available and not too complicated to replace,’ says production technician Tom Vaughan.
Most reputable companies provide servicing, repairs and even upgrades
But it’s not just high-end brands that are repairable. Most audio gear has a one- or twoyear warranty, and even outside this period it’s worth asking about repairs. Sennheiser, Audio Technica and Bose all have service centres, for example, and are happy to quote for repairs, even on their cheapest products.
A quick Yell.com search will bring up independent hi-fi repair centres in your area. My local repair centre, Armstrong
Audio in Walthamstow, East London, has been repairing all manner of audio equipment for 40 years. And if it’s a turntable in need of TLC, you’ll not find better than Doug Brady Hifi, who have been restoring record players since 1960. Nationwide retailer Richer Sounds also has a team of engineers, and will assess, repair or service any product purchased from them, with prices starting from just £20 for speaker diagnosis.
And if it simply can’t be saved, there may still be consolation. Under the terms of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive (WEEE), all retailers must provide a disposal service for their old electronics. Check with your retailer for details – Sonos, for instance, offers a 30 per cent discount on new products when you send them back your old speakers.