I’m extremely annoyed.
M-Audio Microtrack II – Faulty . . . and unrepairable!
We have an M-Audio Microtrack II audio recorder we bought from Maplin here in the UK about two and a half years ago. It has been a delightful little unit to use and we’ve used it regularly.
Recently, it has has developed a great deal of hiss (white noise) and recording sensitivity has diminished. We have tried two microphones (both known good and working) with no improvement. Even winding the level controls right up results in lower than usual level recordings and unacceptable white noise.
So, I emailed the UK agent, InMusicBrands asking them to advise us where we should return this unit to for service.
The reply was less than useful! I quote:
“The Microtrack is a product that was unfortunately discontinued before we took over the M-Audio brand and the only spare parts that we have for this product are the battery, battery cover and USB cable.” Whilst you could certainly send it in to us for a repair estimate, it’s quite likely that we wouldn’t have the parts to repair this and even if we did it may be uneconomical to repair the unit.”
They then went on to say even an estimate would be charged at £15 for 30mins work plus £10 shipping back cost – Plus VAT.
I repeat, this device is less than 3 years old and, to all intents and purposes is now rubbish to be thrown away. If this is planned obsolescence, it’s taking things to extremes. Fancy taking over a brand and only being given spare batteries and battery covers!
I am NOT impressed M-Audio and I will not be buying your products again – unless you have any suggestions?
Steve Bell's Blog 
I empathise with you Steve. My Sony Playstation 3 has decided it can’t read discs after 2 years and 2 months of occasional use and might as well be added to the WEEE list!
Thank you Neil. My sympathies are returned. OK, so a warranty has to have an end date, but being told, “it’s quite likely that we wouldn’t have the parts to repair this” after 2.5 years is absolutely not good enough!
Similar problem with my 2-yr old Samsung Omnia II smartphone: would not charge, deduced that it was not the plug, but was the “goesinto.” after 1 hour online with robot troubleshooter that ended with “chg the phone battery and return… ” got a phone number for customer service and 20 minutes to learn: $80 by credit card up front to troubleshoot and charge is not refundable if they can’t fix. My solution: eBay had brand new “Verizon” (my cell service) Samsung Omnia II @ $100 including postage delivered in 48-hours.
Fortunately I had saved the system upgrade & directions as no longer online, of course. Whew!
So, from the above experience and others with electronics, I either buy a second when it is a cheap, but good product like my fm transmitter; or I figure I’m stuck and move on when the item dies like my beautiful 1996 Toshiba Portege that was ahead of its time.
Try eBay first.
Had the same problem with a profire 2626, two of the gain knobs are snapped, So i sent it back for repair only to be told they did not have the parts anymore, as avid did not give them to inmusic when the brand was bought. so I paid £60 in postage just to not have it fixed.
We gave up and bought a Tascam in the end :-)