Btw,Norton(or anyone else interested),though I can definitely sympathize with anyone going through equipment failure problems,we ALL go through this.We simply have to get used to the fact some stuff can have problems,at times.
I've had my share,and currently one of my dear audio pals had his mega expensive tube phonostage go Crakatoa!!He was NOT happy!
As to the REL issue...before Sumiko(always a seemingly fine outfit to do business with,from my perspective)acquired REL,these were made in England,I believe.I thoroughly researched my Stentor before purchase,and looked at many contenders.My desire was to have a superb unit to "perfectly" blend with my irreplacable,(and God I love these speakers) Avalon Ascent MK II's!!These speakers have amazing (lower mid bass on up) detail and natural timbres.They are amazingly coherent,and embarrass the vast majority of the "super imagers",in that area.Easily comparative to today's absolute best,regardless of price( as long as the room is not too big).They are a sealed box design,and are bullet fast( as in accurate).One hundred and ten pounds of external crossover.So a really good blend of "very low" frequencies HAD to be a "perfect" match for my main speaker.
This is about the REL,and not an ego piece,so I appologize if it seems otherwise!
My audio friends were adamantly against me getting any subwoofer(btw,EBM,who made a negative comment on this thread is one of them,and he NEVER owned a sub,and admits to commenting just to be a contrarian,but he's a very nice guy in general)!!
I had previously owned three different BIG Infinity speaker systems,of which two of them were four tower affairs,with HUGE bass output.I was NOT looking for this,but only wanted to underpin my main lower midbass,which currently blew away my Infinity,in detail.
I even looked at the HUGE Wilson subs,but the price was prohibitive,though not out of the question.
So the Stentor II was offered by my dealer,at a money back guarantee.I got a fair price of 3200 dollars.I NEVER asked for my money back,obviously,and although it took me an eon to get right,the blend is seamless.I only use a tiny amount of gain,and come in at 24hz,with a position two feet from back wall,and side wall,in my 22x 13 ft room.
My REL manual states..."This product will probably outlast the original owner"!I believe it!!....unless you like to blow the wall down,I guess.
As to the Sumiko asking price for repair(only an opinion,obviously)..I would assume the board in question is fairly complex(crossover/amp circuitry)and maybe hard to match with the "original" REL of England type.They may be forced to give you a new board,which at the 1,000 dollar asking price,may not be out of the norm.It's a judgement call,for you,I guess.
Best of luck
