I have an Analog RYTM MK1, whose main output and headphone output has ceased working, rendering the unit in operable. I contacted support and after some trouble shooting it was determined that the unit is in need for repair.
I was given an RMA number with clear instructions for shipping to the repair center located in California, USA. The unit was shipped with tracking and insurance. I received a confirmation that the unit was delivered. I was told that support would be in touch with an estimate for the repair.
Six weeks later, the Analog RYTM was delivered to me “Returned to Sender”. Not sure how a package can be “delivered”, but also returned to sender.
Has anyone had any luck dealing with the Elektron US support? I’ve left voice mails and emails with no response. This is incredibly frustrating.
If anyone has any ideas on how to get my unit repaired, I would be grateful.
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This sounds like a very frustrating situation. How long has it been since you received the “return to sender” and where is the location which you are shipping from? I’m wondering if they returned the package with knowledge that your area is one that they cannot ship to directly or are unable to bill to.
How long ago was it when you sent the first message after receiving the package back to you as returned to sender? I’m not making any excuses for them but if it was only a day or 2 I would still give it some time.
For local repair, I think if they (elektron) are able to sell you the entire PCB responsible for the audio output problem and ship it to you, that you can replace it yourself or have someone do it for you. Any replacement of individual components will require a competent technician, diagnosis and soldering, therefore the cost of replacing the entire board inside may be less expensive than the cost of repair if too much diagnostic work is necessary on top of the service cost. That will really depend on the actual problem and the individual technician
Does this unit still send audio from the individual outputs and via overbridge? If so, then perhaps your problem is related to the main volume pot in which case for a reasonable tech at an electronics or computer repair store, the repair itself would be quite simple and with a low parts cost (as long as they don’t have to do too much diagnostic) so if individual outputs work and you can still send audio via USB then I would consider having the machine locally diagnosed to see if it’s only the analog volume potentiometer which requires replacement.
If the repair requires further diagnostic and replacement of surface mounted components I might pursue the option to purchase and replace the entire PCB myself, depending on the hourly rate of the technician you work with.
Hopefully they will reply soon, but I don’t know the circumstances at their office or how long it’s been. I hope you can get this resolved quickly though,
Good luck.
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Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The unit returned to me a week ago. I sent an email and left a voice mail at the CA number. I waited a week and just did another round of communications including contacting Elktron through their website. Will have to see if/when someone responds…
I did some testing and the individual outputs work and I can use the main outputs via Overbridge. So, perhaps it is the volume pot.
I’m pretty handy with a soldering iron, perhaps they could send me the parts. I also have a solid local repair shop that’s done some great work for me in the past and could probably sort this as well.
I give it another week.
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Ok, sorry I don’t have more good advice but if you can do the diagnosis yourself or locally, focusing first on checking the analog volume pot, you should be able to determine quickly if that is the root cause. Symptomatically it sounds to me like this may be the case, but don’t replace anything without explicit confirmation.
If you can buy a potentiometer from elektron it’s about $5 USD plus some expensive shipping.
I think it’s good to give them a little time, but I feel like given the amount of time it’s been since the initial issue and then a week since contact it feels like they could have said something by now. From what I heard, their California offices are very understaffed, and most members seem to work remotely which may impact the response time but still I don’t think it excuses the situation.
Hope you can get your RYTM working again soon, if you have some other questions I might be able to help with let me know but unfortunately I’m just a forum user, so I don’t have inside information about elektron other than reading a lot of other users problems (your issue’s symptoms are similar to dead volume pot on the machinedrum which is why I made that suggestion and asked about individual outputs).
Best wishes.