Manufacturer Repairs? What is a reasonable time?

I feel this person at least owes a quick look to get an idea of the problem and in turn give you a time frame.

I've learned to take this whole hobby with a grain of salt. Many years ago I even pre-paid a small boutique manufacturer for repairs which he could not fix and never refunded my money. This person was very well respected , so I was pretty shocked when I sent him $500 and he never fixed the unit. It took prodding to get him to even send the still non working unit back to me. I learned that at the time a lot of these designers are smart odd balls, who aren't the best on the phone or at customer service.

I later sold the unit here, as-is at a further loss.

Hang in there, hopefully if the repairs don't pan out, you are able to move on financially to another brand.

3 months is unacceptable. In recent years my service experiences have all been good. Bryston was unreal. I shipped an amp Monday and I had it back on Thursday. Rogue did a repair in a week including shipping. Magnum Dynalab was also very quick. I've had quick repairs from Pass also

Over 5 months for a popular tube preamplifier. The scope of work was agreed to and the parts needed were confirmed in stock and available for the work. I was quoted a two week turnaround. Even though I brought up their notorious reputation for long service times I was assured they had those problems but in this case the parts needed were in stock. I shipped the unit with a minimal down payment.

After the third week I was told a part vendor went out of business, and on and on. After that third week conversation I purchased a new preamplifier. After the fifth month I contacted the manufacture by mail to canceled the work and asked them to return the unit. I received the unit with the work completed a little over a week later and sold it unopened within a few days later.

Vicdamone reads like the preamp I bought here! The person bought it used and it arrived damaged. The buyer shipped it to the manufacturere VAC Valve Amplification Co. and then waited.. and waited. In the meantime the owner bought another preamp he liked a lot. So as soon as the VAc Standard came back he sold it (to ME! for a great price) and I have loved it ever since.

I would say a small manufacturer just has trouble. They have orders for new stuff and have to build it, and may have repair stuff too. Then life gets in the way.. Sleep, weddings, school for kids, etc. health too.
So I usually do not buy small boutique makers stuff. But the VAC has been great for years now. So i at least can say, even though a repiar may take five six months.. it is worht it if you can handlee it.
If not. Then do not buy from tiny companies.
(And even big companies may take just as long.)

Elizabeth is right, but if that small manufacturer has visions of growing, they had best get their customer service in order and not make it a second or low priorrity IMHO.