SuperUnity display fading away

JedT posted:

I have a fairly early UQ which I upgraded to the 192 boards not so long ago. Now the display is failing. I have always had the display set to auto off after 10 seconds.

As others have said, there is no way that £350 is a reasonable price for an unavoidable replacement of an excessively short lived component. 

 

If these are genuinely expected to fail within a few years (unless there's a design fault) you have to hope Naim have stockpiled a good number as I suspect they won't be available to source new unless a functional replacement can be designed.

I've been unfortunate enough to require two other "premium products" repaired this week, (my Uniti is still in Salisbury).

Apple MacBook Pro 15" Retina, cost new, £2,500 requiring a battery replacement after 5 years solid use - (Apple make it clear that batteries will inevitably require replacement after many charge cycles). In replacing the battery they will also replace the entire "C deck" - the CNCd aluminium body that holds the keyboard, so that, plus a new battery and labour to fit, total cost £199.

The second, an English product, not quite in the same cost bracket, but premium for a bike light, an Exposure Diablo Mk5, still working after 5 years, but not holding charge well, inevitable / predictable battery failure again, cost new £220, the cost to repair quoted to me today, including diagnosis, replacement of Li-ion cell and motherboard, labour and return postage, total cost £20.

Just the cost of communicating with me three times on the bike light must be £20 - the rest is good will I suppose.

The Apple cost seems very fair, the Exposure bike light cost makes me want to buy another of their lights just to say thank you for being so reasonable.

Bad comparisons? Discuss.

sdesaulles posted:

I've been unfortunate enough to require two other "premium products" repaired this week, (my Uniti is still in Salisbury).

Apple MacBook Pro 15" Retina, cost new, £2,500 requiring a battery replacement after 5 years solid use - (Apple make it clear that batteries will inevitably require replacement after many charge cycles). In replacing the battery they will also replace the entire "C deck" - the CNCd aluminium body that holds the keyboard, so that, plus a new battery and labour to fit, total cost £199.

Well, it is common knowledge that rechargeable batteries weaken over time. That is just the technology. Changing MacBook battery is extremely easy. Go to www.ifixit.com and order your battery. MacBook Pro 15" Retina (Late 2013/Mid 2014) Battery kit, €79,95. But I agree Apple's seem fair.

However, displays like the ones being discussed in this thread should not weaken (that fast). I have old Samsung and Siemens devices with displays being on 24/7 without weakening. So, you can/should expect Naim displays to be at least the same quality. 

The second, an English product, not quite in the same cost bracket, but premium for a bike light, an Exposure Diablo Mk5, still working after 5 years, but not holding charge well, inevitable / predictable battery failure again, cost new £220, the cost to repair quoted to me today, including diagnosis, replacement of Li-ion cell and motherboard, labour and return postage, total cost £20.

Just the cost of communicating with me three times on the bike light must be £20 - the rest is good will I suppose.

They have staff already paid to serve customers via salary. They don't need to get money out of their pockets to communicate with you. 

The Apple cost seems very fair, the Exposure bike light cost makes me want to buy another of their lights just to say thank you for being so reasonable.

Bad comparisons? Discuss.

 Yes, I think it is a bad comparison due to different technologies and what you can expect of that technology. Even a Mercedes or Bentley need oil changes and new filters. Batteries are known to weaken over time and you expect it. That is just the state of the technology. 

But again, you don't expect to change your display in your iPhone, Samsung, LG and similar devices after 3-4 years due to faded intensity - many manufactures are able to install displays that last much longer than the Naim displays being discussed in this thread.  You would not expect to have to change your Mercedes or Bentley displays after 3-4 years! (but maybe the battery).