I’m interested in a DN available locally. It was bought in Feb '18, serial no: *****5E807-54. I read about some issues with early units. I haven’t viewed it yet, but how are the older units holding up? Any potential issues or build faults to look out for? Please advise.
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I don’t know if there are Digitone problems necessarily, some Digitone Keys had some flaky soldering that required replacement boards to be installed.
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Purchased my DN in 2018 second hand and have yet to have a problem with it. Use it all the time and I’m not super careful with it either. Grab it and enjoy!
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2018 Digitakt no issues, a lot of shared components. My Digitone is from 2020 so probably no help there.
Some early digi of both varieties (from what I’ve seen) have been known to experience things like encoder lag which you hear about less these days, and crackle in one or both audio channels when using the master volume due to the analog volume pot so might be good to listen in headphones twisting fully through the full range of the volume pot up and down. If it’s not local, at least ask about it so you’re covered if there’s an undisclosed issue.
You don’t hear the crackle until turning the volume knob, it’s not an issue in fixed positions.
Oh and also, some batches of face panel screws prior to some point in 2020 when they changed suppliers? are prone to rusting. That happened to my digitone, I’ve read it’s more common than you’d think. Screws replaced under warranty.
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I’m tightening my belt and picking up a new Digitone tomorrow. Kytary.cz have their price pinned to Thomann, but there’s a couple of Polish vendors selling at about 70 euros cheaper, and Kytary didn’t hesitate to go down to their price. Will be my second Elektron box, the 1st being my 7 y.o. OT, which has only left the house for gigs. I’m excited! Thanks for the replies.
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Mine is from 2019 with no issues at all, probably not the first manufacturing revision though.
Can’t go wrong with new, so congratulations, enjoy!
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Paying an extra 200 odd for peace of mind. The initial saving with SH from 2018 could disappear within a couple of years with a need to dispatch to the maker for refurbishment. A big part of getting the DN is because I don’t want to take my G2 engine out of the house again + the fact that G2 engine for live duties involves a lot of memory / controller mapping. Would love G2 keys, but even if I could afford it, I’d be nervous taking it out of the house. Maybe I’m too cautious.
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3 years warranty is the perfect amount, only if it all belongs to you! paying for something with no warranty is ok if you’re very sure about it, I don’t regret my used digitone purchase however if it had not been in warranty I’m not sure if they would have taken care of my rust issue. I think I believe in elektron as a good company, something simple like that they would probably do anyways. Full unit replacement out of warranty? probably not.
I just had them mail me the parts, my faceplate had some rust also as a result. I installed myself because 3-6 months gone off to the shop to have someone else replace your screws is the kind of joke you tell a child to get them to smile for a picture.
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I don’t usually divulge my serial numbers on the Internet. Is it a good idea to have that number specifically on the thread? I don’t think it helps answer the question, unless you’re talking to the manufacturer
I thought someone could shed some light on the batch, whether the 54 at the end indicated no. 54 possibly of the 1st batch? I wouldn’t think divulging serial numbers is anyway a breach of privacy or whatnot, then again maybe I’m missing something ?
Ah yes, this also got replaced in my Keys though I didn’t send it in, just had them ship a replacement potentiometer.
¯\(ツ)/¯
My Keys ended in -53
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$3 part, they made out like bandits 
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I mean, it just opens up warranty fraud opportunities, but do whatever you think is right. I’m not telling/asking to take it down. I was just questioning whether it’s generally a good idea.
The unit in question is well out of warranty, so I don’t see there’s a fraud opportunity in this case. But more generally, you have a point.