Audio-gd's products in general: Quality Issue

[WXY]

Audio-GD is generally a great company and makes incredible products at better prices than anything equivalent almost anywhere.

 

And that was why I ordered the DI unheard and unseen, at least that's what I thought.

 

Be careful when you make statement like this. Have you heard and compared most of their products? With most other products? What about Schiit's Yggy that Jimmypower mentioned, which is priced similar as Audio-gd's best DAC Master 7. Schiit have a direct sale model just like Audio-gd. Their prices seem very reasonable to me, considering they are made in the USA. I haven't tried any of their stuff so I can't comment on their SQ, but I am pretty sure they have a much better built quality. I wish they make an USB converter but I doubt that since all their DACs have USB.

 

Voicing your great experience in contrary to mine is one thing, calling them 'better' than 'almost anywhere' is very biased.

[Luckbad]

And that was why I ordered the DI unheard and unseen, at least that's what I thought.

 

Be careful when you make statement like this. Have you heard and compared most of their products? With most other products? What about Schiit's Yggy that Jimmypower mentioned, which is priced similar as Audio-gd's best DAC Master 7. Schiit have a direct sale model just like Audio-gd. Their prices seem very reasonable to me, considering they are made in the USA. I haven't tried any of their stuff so I can't comment on their SQ, but I am pretty sure they have a much better built quality. I wish they make an USB converter but I doubt that since all their DACs have USB.

 

Voicing your great experience in contrary to mine is one thing, calling them 'better' than 'almost anywhere' is very biased.

 

I did specify almost. Schiit actually makes great stuff at very good prices as well. They're pretty equivalent in performance/price depending on what sonic signature you're looking for, and somehow they're pretty equivalent in price.

 

Schiit is the best value in high end headphone audio. Audio-GD is not quite as valuable because their best DACs use rare/expensive DAC chips, it sucks to ship anything back to them (price), and communicating with them can be frustrating.

 

I ultimately got a Master-11 in my recent 9 month journey to find the amp/dac I wanted over the Schiit Gungnir Multibit + Mjolnir. For most people, the Schiit sound is probably what they're after, but I wanted the Audio-GD sound more enough to spend the money on it.

 

I have not owned the Master-7 or Yggdrasil. I've heard them both at this point, but never for long periods of time in a quiet environment. The Yggy might be better for most people, and is probably the better value because of the ease of support and communication regardless.

 

P.S. If you can't tell, I'm a total fanboy of Audio-GD. I like Schiit too, but most of their stuff that I've heard is more fatiguing to me than I prefer. Still haven't heard a Gumby.

[WXY]

Looking at the pictures I would not keep this dac. I have never seen anything from Schiit Audio that looked like this. Or from Auralic ,another Chinese company.

I would be concerned about performance down the road.

 

Exactly, like I said, not even most basic consumer electronics or accessories would look like that. I would fire the QC manager (if there is one) at the spot if they allow this kind of standard to go out the factory door. Why would the blemished part (the rear face plate) even be used? Oh yes, those blemishes were there before the assembly. And the misalignment on the inputs, that's just pure poor craftsmanship, or I should say, a real craftsman will never allow this to happen.

 

If I do end up keeping it, it is only for the sake of my mind.

[WXY]

I did specify almost. Schiit actually makes great stuff at very good prices as well. They're pretty equivalent in performance/price depending on what sonic signature you're looking for, and somehow they're pretty equivalent in price.

 

Schiit is the best value in high end headphone audio. Audio-GD is not quite as valuable because their best DACs use rare/expensive DAC chips, it sucks to ship anything back to them (price), and communicating with them can be frustrating.

 

I ultimately got a Master-11 in my recent 9 month journey to find the amp/dac I wanted over the Schiit Gungnir Multibit + Mjolnir. For most people, the Schiit sound is probably what they're after, but I wanted the Audio-GD sound more enough to spend the money on it.

 

I have not owned the Master-7 or Yggdrasil. I've heard them both at this point, but never for long periods of time in a quiet environment. The Yggy might be better for most people, and is probably the better value because of the ease of support and communication regardless.

 

P.S. If you can't tell, I'm a total fanboy of Audio-GD. I like Schiit too, but most of their stuff that I've heard is more fatiguing to me than I prefer. Still haven't heard a Gumby.

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I am sure everyone knows you are a fan of Audio-gd since your first post. I respect that and I wish I could be in the same boat as yours. Again, this is not about their SQ. I really want to try their Master 7 because of its usage of 8 TI PCM1704UK chips, and I was intrigued by the fact that all their DACs have i2S I/O, including the DI-2014. The DI-2014 now has both HDMI and RJ45 i2S output standard. But what would you do given the situation? Without any prior exp with the company? I am sure if you were to buy a DI-2014 now and it came the way as mine, you will be treated differently since you've already established a contact with them. Which again, is why this is so much more frustrating. Do I have the same last name as his ancestor's archenemy or something?

 

Like your handle, I guess I will have to call it bad luck and move on. It appears I am the only one, other than that guy who got his Theta blown up, which I didn't verify btw. Anyway, this was a bad idea to begin with and I should have known better. I just thought $368.43 was worth a try, and try I did.

[Luckbad]

Thanks for clearing that up. I am sure everyone knows you are a fan of Audio-gd since your first post. I respect that and I wish I could be in the same boat as yours. Again, this is not about their SQ. I really want to try their Master 7 because of its usage of 8 TI PCM1704UK chips, and I was intrigued by the fact that all their DACs have i2S I/O, including the DI-2014. The DI-2014 now has both HDMI and RJ45 i2S output standard. But what would you do given the situation? Without any prior exp with the company? I am sure if you were to buy a DI-2014 now and it came the way as mine, you will be treated differently since you've already established a contact with them. Which again, is why this is so much more frustrating. Do I have the same last name as his ancestor's archenemy or something?

 

Like your handle, I guess I will have to call it bad luck and move on. It appears I am the only one, other than that guy who got his Theta blown up, which I didn't verify btw. Anyway, this was a bad idea to begin with and I should have known better. I just thought $368.43 was worth a try, and try I did.

 

In your situation, I'd be pretty livid. Your frustration is absolutely justified. That the machine shop cleared that part was absurd. That the assembler that it was okay was ridiculous. That the quality control specialist approved it was idiotic. I don't know how many people it went through, but my guess is more than zero people saw it and decided it was totally fine to be sold as a new part.

 

I had a DI-2014 when I had the NOS-1704 and it was a really good unit (better than the cheap stuff, cheaper than the crazy expensive stuff). But it had nothing wrong with it.

 

I actually returned it to them and claimed the lower price for insurance for them because I bought a DAC that didn't need it. They have you leave their company name off and lower the claimed price so it doesn't get held up in customs forever. Mine happened to get there during a holiday AND got held up in customs for like 3 weeks basically on their doorstep, so I'm not sure how valid the approach is.

 

They refunded my money after testing it and did not refund shipping because it was not defective.

[WXY]

In your situation, I'd be pretty livid. Your frustration is absolutely justified. That the machine shop cleared that part was absurd. That the assembler that it was okay was ridiculous. That the quality control specialist approved it was idiotic. I don't know how many people it went through, but my guess is more than zero people saw it and decided it was totally fine to be sold as a new part.

 

I had a DI-2014 when I had the NOS-1704 and it was a really good unit (better than the cheap stuff, cheaper than the crazy expensive stuff). But it had nothing wrong with it.

 

I actually returned it to them and claimed the lower price for insurance for them because I bought a DAC that didn't need it. They have you leave their company name off and lower the claimed price so it doesn't get held up in customs forever. Mine happened to get there during a holiday AND got held up in customs for like 3 weeks basically on their doorstep, so I'm not sure how valid the approach is.

 

They refunded my money after testing it and did not refund shipping because it was not defective.

 

Thanks for the info. I would have no problem following their shipping instruction, but not when they ignored my emails and told me to 'ask the Paypal return the money'. They told me nothing else after that. If they told me they would do what you described, and told me they would honor their promise in their warranty regarding the return shipping, I would just go ahead send it back and be done with this non-sense. All they had to do was to respond, tell me what they would do, and I would have followed the instruction, and why wouldn't I?

[mrvco]

It amazes me that a company like Audio-GD with their product line-up doesn't have a NA distributor / reseller.

[Luckbad]

Did you get this sorted out? I know for sure that they take pictures of all of the items they ship before shipping in case it's damaged during shipping. If you ask them for the photos, they'll send them to you.

 

I talked to Kingwa and it seems like this is a shipping damage issue since they'll have pictures before it was shipped to confirm that it was not damaged prior to shipment.

 

In that case, it's the shipping company (presumably DHL) who needs to pay for the damages, and they need to pay for the original shipping and return shipping.

[audio.bill]

Good luck convincing the shipping company that they're responsible for the poor quality finishing that the OP showed in the first photo. Further if the dented faceplate edge and misaligned jacks shown are claimed to be the result of damage in shipping, then DHL will likely state that the item was shipped with inadequate packing material needed to ensure safe transit. I think that they would be justified in this case.

[Luckbad]

Good luck convincing the shipping company that they're responsible for the poor quality finishing that the OP showed in the first photo. Further if the dented faceplate edge and misaligned jacks shown are claimed to be the result of damage in shipping, then DHL will likely state that the item was shipped with inadequate packing material needed to ensure safe transit. I think that they would be justified in this case.

 

Unlikely. They take lots of detailed photos just in case, and they're shipped with form-fitted materials for maximum protection. I had a DI-2014 and it came with very good packing materials.

[WXY]

Did you get this sorted out? I know for sure that they take pictures of all of the items they ship before shipping in case it's damaged during shipping. If you ask them for the photos, they'll send them to you.

 

I talked to Kingwa and it seems like this is a shipping damage issue since they'll have pictures before it was shipped to confirm that it was not damaged prior to shipment.

 

In that case, it's the shipping company (presumably DHL) who needs to pay for the damages, and they need to pay for the original shipping and return shipping.

 

So now this is DHL's fault? You agreed yourself those blemishes were there before they assembled the darn thing. How do you dent the inner corner of the plate? You can't even do it purposely without damaging the main chassis next to it! And the shipping caused those bad paint/metal job? So what's next? I put those there myself so that I can frame Audio-gd?

 

Seriously, if you are in touch with Kingwa, please ask him why he is not responding to any of my emails. If they don't think they were at fault, wouldn't they respond and try to clarify the matter? The blemishes were NOT a huge deal, the unit is functional as I reported to them at the very beginning. I just need a response and a solution. All they had to do was to respond and offer solution. But they chose to ignore me until I sought advice here. Then, the only email I got was that ridiculous "just ask the Paypal refund the money", and they continue to ignore me regarding the declared value for return shipping.

 

So please, if you want to help Kingwa, tell him to do the right thing and resolve the problem openly. It's obvious that they are aware of this post. It's beyond comprehension why any company would behave like this. Just imagine, if you bought an expensive DAC or components from them, then something really happened during shipping (damaged or stolen), you will be totally screwed! They shipped uninsured and good luck trying to get help from them, they can just show you the perfect 'pictures' they took and blame it on DHL.

 

It's obvious that you are not trying to help me, but you are really making the matter worse for Kingwa.

[WXY]

Unlikely. They take lots of detailed photos just in case, and they're shipped with form-fitted materials for maximum protection. I had a DI-2014 and it came with very good packing materials.

 

Exactly! The unit was wrapped in PE foams and it was not damaged during shipping, if you know this, why did you suggest it was caused by DHL? And how are you so sure about what they do or don't? Here you are, making another statement for Audio-gd. How do you know they take lots of detail pictures? Have you been there on the factory floor? Do you work there?

 

There is no excuse of what they did shipping out such poor QC product, and the subsequent poor/no customer service afterwards. You can defend them all you want, and it's only looking bad for you and Audio-gd. People on this forum are not stupid you know.

[Luckbad]

I'm just operating based on what I hear from either side.

 

I wonder if one of the Audio-GD distributors would be able to help? Unlikely, but surely one of them can communicate with Audio-GD effectively.

 

I agree that the corrosion damage doesn't look like it could be done in shipping unless the packaging you received was basically melted with battery acid.

 

Have you reached out to get the photos and contacted DHL? It seems like you're pissed and hoping someone here can solve your problem, but none of us can.

 

All I can do is talk about my previous experiences and forward the link to Kingwa.

[WXY]

I'm just operating based on what I hear from either side.

 

I wonder if one of the Audio-GD distributors would be able to help? Unlikely, but surely one of them can communicate with Audio-GD effectively.

 

I agree that the corrosion damage doesn't look like it could be done in shipping unless the packaging you received was basically melted with battery acid.

 

Have you reached out to get the photos and contacted DHL? It seems like you're pissed and hoping someone here can solve your problem, but none of us can.

 

All I can do is talk about my previous experiences and forward the link to Kingwa.

 

No, I am looking for someone here to resolve my issue. I posted here to see if anyone here had experience like mine before. Instead, I got you relentless trying to help Audio-gd. I am pissed because I couldn't believe the kind of bull you are suggesting. And you are, still suggesting I should contact DHL to file a claim.

 

Hearing from both sides? So he is replying to you with regards to my problem instead of replying to me directly? I am glad you replied, at least you proved that Kingwa is ignoring all my emails on purpose.

 

Please just ask your friend Mr. Kingwa what he wants to do with the unit, ask him to reply here that he will take responsibility with the return shipping and refund, and I will take his words for it and ship the unit back exactly the way he asked, as simple as that and we are DONE!

[Luckbad]

My apologies for making this even more frustrating for you. I was trying to be helpful, but I just made it even more annoying for you. I wish I had an inside track to Audio-GD and that I could provide legitimate help to you. I'll leave the thread now and won't cause you any additional bother.

[WXY]

Just to make a final update of the situation thus close the thread:

 

I shipped the unit back and declared only $50 per Audio-gd's request. Not a wise move but I didn't want to give Audio-gd any excuse to mess with me further. It costed me $55 to ship it back via Postal Priority. The item was delivered to China for more than 2 weeks and Audio-gd never acknowledged and refunded my Paypal account. I had to send another email, both apologizing for comparing the item to a '$10 CE device' and threatening to file complaint with their local custom and law enforcement. And immediately got a reply and the refund on the same day.

 

But when asked for reimbursement for the return shipping fee, which is stated in their warranty statement, Kingwa replied, 'We can't find any issue of the unit, so the shipping cost can't return.' I asked again about the external blemishes and was ignored once again.

 

To summarize, Audio-gd probably felt insulted when I first contacted them about the blemishes, and ignored me until I posted here on CA to ask for opinion. Instead of corresponding with me directly, another member was kinda mediating on their behalf to come up with some lame excuses. It has been more than a month and NOT once have they addressed the main issue here. Instead, they made me file Paypal's dispute just to get my money back, and dragged the refund process as long as they could. This is such ridiculously childish behavior. I don't understand why any normal person would do such a thing to ruin the company's reputation. And they obviously don't seem to have a problem with the quality issue at all.

 

On the bright side, I only lost $55 on return shipping, at least it wasn't a scam. Caveat Emptor my friends.