Astell & Kern - Zero Customer service. Beware

[sperandeo]

If anyone else is interested in pursuing this Astell & Kern “no longer supported” issue further by looking at what can be done legally, please post something and if there is enough interest I may start a separate thread on this discussion.

 

[Anthny]

..."By the way, do you know how one would demo these types of DAPs? I'm in driving range to L.A. and I seem to have located an authorized dealer who stays up to date on A&K's line-up, but be it that other companies are even harder to find in-store, is there some online demoing loophole I am unaware of?"

You could start here: https://canjamglobal.com/shows/socal2021/

 

[Nace]

You could start here: https://canjamglobal.com/shows/socal2021/

Holy crap, thanks man! Line-up looks amazing, too bad it's so far away!

Update: Just got the ticket, best opportunity to demo everything

 

[Anthny]

@Nace

The only other 2021* options are Shanghai, NYC, London, and Singapore. L.A. is your best bet for this show.

 

[Anthny]

After a bit of research, I believe Tidal 2.31 is the last version to support Android 5. All later versions require Android 6 or higher.

I now understand the the issue more clearly. Thanks for posting this.

 

[onraid]

The A&K just died R.I.P.

 

[Sajid Amit]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to chat with AK users to understand sonic differences between the SP2K and the SP2KT…

What’s the right thread for this?

 

[BlueSkyHi]

Hello. I need hardware support for SP2000. The Bluetooth module is very sketchy. Rarely stays connected and if I touch the wheel or get my hand near it, the connection stutters or drops and it happens with multiple BT devices all of which work flawlessly with my iPhone, etc.

Any recommendations on where to look for repair services?

Thanks much!

 

[Rozeqloud]

Just joined this thread because i am in between the Cayin N8 MK ii and the A&K SP3000T

The N8 MK ii being discontinued has me leaning to the SP3000T,as it also has a hybrid SS/tube system that I am addicted to

But this customer service issue(3 years old now) has me concerned

Has anything improved? Or gotten worse?

How is their customer service going at the moment?

Cheers

 

[BlueSkyHi]

I had my SP2000 repaired by Astell & Kern without a problem and with very reasonable costs. As there is no repair station here in the US, I had to send it overseas, but it was pretty painless and fast once I got it in the hands of FedEX.

 

[Rozeqloud]

WOW

So they repaired it out of warranty at a reasonable cost?

Sorry, that seems obvious, but I thought you may have meant FedEx.I am thick lol


How did you insure it with FedEx?

I am a sucker for insurance. The DAPs are 4k or so and man that's a ton to insure, but if lost ya got nowt, especially over seas. How did you deal with that? Not insured I would be sitting here sleepless lol

A Google search says repairs are done in Germany. Was that true for you mate?

Cheers

 

[BlueSkyHi]

They sent me FedEX label, requested I only insure it for $50 ostensibly to keep the customs people at bay, they replaced the internal WIFI/Bluetooth antenna because I was having connectivity issues, and shipped it back via FedEX for about $200 total. Sure, I cringed and was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs until it was confirmed delivered in their hands because of the low-ball value, but it all came out okay. They didn’t take credit cards so I had to wire the money to their bank as well. That was an extra $30 for the wire transfer.

I sent mine to Taiwan where their manufacturing facility is located.

 

[Rozeqloud]

"a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"

That was my great grammar and grampas saying lol

Gramps also said "That guy is tighter than a bulls a** in fly season" lol

Ya, I don't think I could comply with that 50.00 request.I would be that cat you described

It was a repair, not a sale, that is why companies asking that confuse me. Most companies do this request

Who is responsible if it is lost? If the company would replace it I would value it at whatever they wish

But again,if you know how it works, why would I be charged customs/tax? fees on an item I already bought months/years ago

I understand the fees for a repair and they want their share at the border, but how can they justify charging me on a declared value on something I have already paid import fees and taxes on?



Again thanks for the cat analogy.i am larfing here remembering my gramps

 

[BlueSkyHi]

Glad to be of service in the laugh department and, truth be told, I probably won't be sending it back undersinsured in the future either.