schiit-europe.com AKA Sonority Audio Feedback

Since a few members wrote to me a PM asking about my return experience with schiit-europe.com I thought I'd write something public as a feedback for those who, like me, will have their doubts before an important purchase.

First of all, I read a lot about the schiit multibit dacs and being in search of a dac of about that price I chose the Gungnir Multibit. I had never heard a schiit product so I had my doubts. I contacted my national distributor and he was, so to speak, a little reticent about return policy despite my precise questions, he kept on saying over and over that I would have not returned the dac once I had listened to it since it was very good. Well... since it was not clear about his return policy I gave up. I know what law prescribes and guarantees, but trust me, take nothing for granted, I've my fair share of bad experiences. A fellow sbaf member suggested I tried schiit europe. So I contacted them.

They have been nothing but kind and available before my purchase and answered all my questions. So I ordered a schiit Gungnir Multibit, a vali2 and a pysst usb cable. I've written about my experience with the Gungnir Multibit. Long story short it was not the sound I was looking for. (More info here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...ngnir Multibit-so-far-not-impressed-why.1495/)

As for the vali2 I thought it could improve my modest headphone desktop setup but in the end I found it no better than the old audio GD I have. Not a bad amp at all but only a sidegrade for my taste.

So after a few days of tests I wrote them that I wanted to return the Gungnir Multibit and the vali2, holding only the usb cable which I thought it was ridiculously good for the price asked.
I shut down the vali2 and as it cooled down I heard some cracking noise. I thought it was just the metal of the case that was readjusting with temperature dropping. Then after a while I noticed that the top of the tube had become opaque. A Further inspection revealed that the tube had cracked at the base and was very likely to break apart if I pulled it for extraction in order to repack the amp. I contacted shiit europe and asked for instruction. They told to extract the tube if possible with no harm and so I did but the tube went in pieces as I pulled. I was stupid enough to throw in the trash can what remained of the tube, preventing them to inspect the tube. After a few mails with Melinda (she handled my order from the beginning to the end), though I was convinced that it was a factory defect of the tube, I was willing to pay for the damage if only for the fact that I didn't include the tube in shipping back the amp. I only sent some pictures via mail.

I was warned before buying that the refund process could take up to 14 days. Well, in the end in less than 10 days my refund arrived and no money has been held apart from the 20 euros for the cable. The shipping cost was refunded too!
In the end I paid only for what I decided to retain and for the return shipping (I was asked to ship with insurance and in a double box to preserve the original package).

All I can say is that despite the fact that schiit sound is not my cup of tea, schiit-europe.com (sonority audio) service has been top-notch from top to bottom. Maybe you'll say it is normal... well I've dealt with a few audio distributors and online shops every now and then in the last years because of this hobby and others. I've always hoped for the best and prepared to the worst, I'm not used to transaction to go so smoothly

Highly recommended shop for european fellow members. Many thanks to Melinda for the helpful and kind support.

 

I rarely reach out like this but Dennis, owner of Sonority audio and Schiit-Europe takes my full praise. He even brought my Bifrost Multibit personally to an audio shop nearby so I could pick it up and have it before the weekend. He really deserves the Schiit label in that regard.

 

Very nice to hear sellers feedback either good or bad. Thanks m8

 

I had a different experience, paid via bank transfer, never received any confirmation email about the money being received on their end either. Then they told me I would get an email when the product was shipped, I didn't, I just got a notification in my mailbox a few days/weeks (I don't remember) later. The product was also lightly damaged (the volume knob was scratched up) but I didn't bother dealing with any of it again.

 

@KurtSvensson
Looks like you had a not so pleasing experience. In my case I didn't write above that I've been notified of every status change of my order: money reception, order completion, product shipping, product returned in house and refund emission.

 

I dont like the fact they have this on their website " Shipping above 250 euro is mostly send free...Shippingcost are calculated automatically in checkout..." but they still charge you for shipment even on 700 euro orders. Otherwise communication with them was completely fine my from experience.

 

I've bought some things from them. They were a little slow to communicate about the status of the shipment after I had payed them but then I got in contact with them and they were very friendly and service minded, no probems after that. I think it's a very small company with just a few employees.

 

Ordered Val2 on Thursday, shipped Friday, arrived Tuesday. No issues at all.

 

I have only had a mail conversation with Melinda from sonority-audio so far.

I asked if the 15 day return policy also extended to Germany, because 14 days are standard in Germany. Her answer was strangely reproachful.

Now I am having second thoughts on buying something from them. When push comes to shove I'd rather spend more for a trustworthy business relationship.

 

Me and you both then, my next (assuming there is a next) schiit order would be from their UK dealer.

 

I live in the UK and bought my Yggdrasil, Rag and Wyrd from Schiit-Europe aka Sonority Audio last year during a period when Schiit had long production delays for both Yggdrasil and Rag.

I chose to order from Sonority Audio as they offered a better price plus a 5 year warranty rather than the 3 year one offered by Electromod in the UK.

I paid the full price from the start even though Yggdrasil and Rag were not available to ship for months. This contrasts to Schiit USA that only take funds when the order is fulfilled and ready for shipment. Funds had to be reimbursed due to Paypal's inability to keep the order open as the delays were longer than expected. As a result I repaid for the items only when the Rag and Yggdrasil were available to ship 3 and 5 months after the original order. I was promptly notified about changes in status of my order.

My suggestion for prospective buyers from Schiit Europe is to contact them directly if buying items that are on back order. This will probably not be an issue now as Schiit USA appear to have resolved their production timings of high-end products this year.

I had prompt and friendly conversations with Dennis, Ralph and Melinda during this period and would not hesitate to choose them again for my Schiity needs!

 

What does "reproachful" mean and what did Melinda exactly say?

If all the complaints here are some missing email updates or "reproachful" emails to a kinda silly question, I'm baffled. How about all the positive reports (mine was in another thread)? But of course it's your right as a customer to buy whereever you like, perhaps from the UK dealer that has steeper prices (and if you are €uro user, add some 2%+ for currency fees).

 

Had no problems buying an Yggdrasil from them. Though it was in stock so i didn't have to go through the backorder process. But in any case Melinda was very friendly and helpful, no complaints here.

 

Hi guys,

Do they give any discount codes or did all of you just buy at list price?

Their pricing is significantly better than the UK dealer's!