The Schiit Warranty Debate

Not to dash the potential hopes of folks on this thread, but you know that opening your DAC will void your warranty right?

 

That is not true...even if Schiit says it is. Schiit would have to show that your opening the DAC caused the damage for which they are refusing warranty service.

 

It has no void sticker on it and if it did those are now illegal, aren't they? I'm a trained technician. I've opened up other Gungnirs with no ill effects. It's not being modified. I'm sure they won't care unless I drop it in a river. It's for science! Also, I'm legitimately considering keeping this piece of equipment if it pleases my ears and I'd like to see if there are other changes.

https://imgur.com/a/7LqzpAA

 

Don't disagree with that, I just wanted to make sure you had fair warning based on what Schiit has included at the bottom of their Warranty FAQs page (in case you weren't already aware): http://www.schiit.com/about/faq/warranty

That statement could very well be not valid (I personally don't think it should be).

 

Oh joy, guess it might stay shut until I decide I'm keeping it since I'm under trial period. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...turns-out-feds-say-those-warnings-are-illegal

Not only can Schiit not void your warranty for simply opening one of their products, it is actually illegal for them to state that in their warranty.

 

You may just no longer be the worst poster on SBAF.

 

Don't speak too soon; it's still possible for someone to see @winders' post, report Schiit to the FTC, resulting in Schiit going under, thus voiding your warranty

 

Well, I just read through the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act as well as several FTC releases, and nowhere did I see where a warranty cannot be voided on a product that was tampered with, specifically where the product cannot be serviced by the owner. I'm not saying it doesn't exist somewhere, I just don't see it.

What it does say is that manufacturers (let's use Chrysler as an example) cannot void your warranty because you failed to use Mopar branded air filters, sparkplugs, or wiper blades on your Jeep. As there is no user upkeep or maintenance that can be performed inside a Gungnir Multibit, and no aftermarket parts available either (as in - a Sony made analog board which is an exact and direct replacement for Schiit's analog board)... AND seeing as manufacturers have the right to declare what people (or class of people) are authorized to perform any repairs under warranty... It actually seems plausible that Schiit may legally void the warranty if the owner tampers with and/or harms the product.

I'd err on the side of caution before opening the DAC -vs- explicitly trusting a single, somewhat vague, news article.

 

You have to be able to open products to service them and that includes things like checking revision. Schiit isn't responsible for any damage you do, but they cannot void the warranty just because it's been opened.

Also, because of CA SB-633 and the way courts are currently interpreting it, Schiit probably can't claim Made in the USA on their products sold in California.

 

I disagree. Considering that there are no user serviceable parts, and the delicate nature of the internals in regards to things like ESD, just opening the DAC might be grounds to void warranty. Checking revision is not a user required maintenance task for upkeep of the device.

 

We're not talking about user serviceable here, we're talking about technician serviceable.

 

And who are the only authorized service technicians for Schiit products?

Schiit service techs / employees.

Of course they can open and service it without voiding warranty.

See what I mean?

 

I do. My friend has a newer Schiit Gungnir Multibit. I'll ask him to take a picture of the internals. I definitely won't be opening mine within the warranty period.

 

The whole point of the FTC decision is you can choose any technician you want to perform service (including yourself if you're qualified), not just Schiit employees.

 

The decision was mainly centered around the automobile industry. In that instance it is unreasonable for Chrysler to void your auto warranty when a Firestone auto tech fixes your faulty break lines using aftermarket parts.

Even if you are a qualified electrical technician, you don't have the product specific knowledge or available parts to effect a warranty repair. I don't think the FTC decision is as wide ranging as you interpret it to be.

 

They've warned phone makers like Apple that decision effects them too.

 

Because aftermarket parts are available, such as display panels, batteries, etc... and there are technicians qualified to replace them. Not so in the case of Schiit.

There are no ASE certified auto technicians for Schiit products. Replacement parts are not distributed to the public. Even resellers cannot obtain parts - Euro folk have to have their resellers ship defective products back to Schiit for service.

 

It's fun debating with you, but I have to get back to work. I suggest everyone go do more homework on topics like these instead of taking the word of a few well intentioned folk and a news article as all-encompassing fact regarding every product ever made.

I don't mean to be a dick when I say that. I'm just saying there is very little fact in most opinions nowadays, so it's always best to educate yourself at all times from reputable sources.