Superb quality control from Rotel-please read

[Claude D D]

Here's an outtake from the latest Rotel dealer newsletter.
"Rotel has announced a 100% Quality Assurance program for all Home Theatre products. This program will involve opening every Home Theatre component, running it in for 72 hours and then putting each one through a full diagnostic test before putting it back in the carton and placing a Quality Control sticker on the box. This is a substantial investment we are making but we want you to have the greatest degree of confidence possible in presenting Rotel Home Theatre products to your customers and we feel it is well worth the effort. This program is in effect now and some of you will have already received products with the green QC sticker affixed to the box."
That sounds outstanding.I'm sure everyone can see the benefits of this.Good job Rotel. :T

[Kens1]

They saw a potential problem and they are fixing it. Awesome!
I wish more companies were like this instead of sweeping the problems under the rug.

[ds22030]

Kudos to Rotel...all the returns and warranty claims must hurt...and bad press can eat into the future sales....glad they are finally addressing QC issues.

....as to other companies sweeping probs under the rug...if they do that often enough in this information age, they will not be around...

[gd]

That really is impressive, especially if they employ good follow-through.

Hopefully this post-manufacture test will happen far away from the manufacturing facility to avoid local bias, and will include stringent testing for internally-generated noise or hum... those are the basic types of flaws that are intolerable at this level.

In any event, this extra effort is not going unnoticed by this potential customer... excellent.

[RebelMan]

I think they actually started this program a month or two ago, but weren't ready to make any announcements about it. While I don't see the QC sticker, I noticed both of my boxes were opened and resealed at the manufacturer. I later found out that they began this "stress test" because of some the issues that were plaguing them. I have the RSX-1056 and the RB-1080 and haven't had any problems. Maybe this is one good example of the new QA program in action.

Good to know Claude, thanks! :T

[DrJRapp]

This is a positive step in the right direction for the consumer, which I think Rotel should be applauded for. We, the consumer are no longer need to concern ourselves that we are the final QC testers for the product. It indicates that Rotel has finally come out of denial of the extent of their QC problem. This is always the first step towards recovery. Hopefully it should only be a temporary move while they fix the underlying problem(s).

Metaphorically, one cannot burn toast and scrape off the burned part forever. One must adjust the toaster.

[Lex]

Great news there. A little QC goes a long way toward satisfied customers.

Doug

[Andrew Pratt]

Yes its been running for a while now. I'd heard about it several weeks ago and agree its a great move on their part :T

[mikeyc]

When they say that they "open the box" do they mean the cardboard box or the metal component box?

Rebelman: you said that your boxes were re-sealed. This doesn't make sense to me as I would assume that Rotel checks the components at the factory BEFORE they are put in the cardboard box.

[Azeke]

Rotel, your efforts are to be applauded.

Regards,

Azeke

[Andrew M Ward]

When they say that they "open the box" do they mean the cardboard box or the metal component box?

Rebelman: you said that your boxes were re-sealed. This doesn't make sense to me as I would assume that Rotel checks the components at the factory BEFORE they are put in the cardboard box.

The Shipments are received in Buffalo NY sealed from the factory overseas, they are then re-opened and tested in the US - effectively "passed or failed" on the spot - then, re-sealed and either sent back to Asia as defective or sent off to the dealer.

not too complicated, but fairly time consuming and expensive...

[aud19]

Amazing! I know they've been getting ragged on, (and not entirely undeserved) but it's just this sort of commitment that I've consistently been impressed with from Rotel. You just don't see this type of behaviour very often in our modern world and it really is quite refresshing to be consistently and pleasantly surprised like this :T

[DrJRapp]

When they say that they "open the box" do they mean the cardboard box or the metal component box?

I have word from very high authority that here in the US they are opening the metal boxes to assure that nothing has shaken loose during shipping.

[RebelMan]

When they say that they "open the box" do they mean the cardboard box or the metal component box?

Rebelman: you said that your boxes were re-sealed. This doesn't make sense to me as I would assume that Rotel checks the components at the factory BEFORE they are put in the cardboard box.

I was primarily refering to the cardboard box. Though, as DrJRapp mentioned, they appear to be taking the QA process a step further.

[DOUGAL]

Here's an outtake from the latest Rotel dealer newsletter.
"Rotel has announced a 100% Quality Assurance program for all Home Theatre products. This program will involve opening every Home Theatre component, running it in for 72 hours and then putting each one through a full diagnostic test before putting it back in the carton and placing a Quality Control sticker on the box. This is a substantial investment we are making but we want you to have the greatest degree of confidence possible in presenting Rotel Home Theatre products to your customers and we feel it is well worth the effort. This program is in effect now and some of you will have already received products with the green QC sticker affixed to the box."
That sounds outstanding.I'm sure everyone can see the benefits of this.Good job Rotel. :T

Do you imagine that someone is going to listen to a unit for 72 hours :rofl:
Would this test show up the dreaded phantom "POP" in the speakers, that we so often hear about.
But, I geuss it's a step in the right direction.

cheers

[Madmoose]

Unfortunately, the static pops I hear from my 1098 purchased in April are real. Mostly when watching video. Is there a cure posted on this site, or should I return it for a new one that has officially passed this QC procedure? Not sure where to begin with trouble shooting this...

[DrJRapp]

Not sure where to begin with trouble shooting this...

I would begin by dropping Rotel service an email. They will talk you thru the troubleshooting.

[GregoriusM]

Well, here's hoping my 3rd 1056 scheduled to be here this week has a green sticker on it! :T

[gianni]

I am a big fan of Rotel but I don't think Rotel deserves praise containing descriptions such as "superb." This is a reaction to other problems in their production chain.

M&K for example, has always tested everyone of the speakers it ships out of it's So Cal facility. And, this critcal listening is done by only a few qualified people.
Furthermore, before assembly, all drivers are tested and then matched and paired according to the model they are used for. This final listening test is what often slows down the production process -- they deem it to be that important.

Rotel is just now figuring out what ohers have been doing for years. Too bad it took something like this for them to wake up. Though I do not think it is something they won't recover fron, it has at least somwhat negatively affected their excellent reputation.

[Claude D D]

I am a big fan of Rotel but I don't think Rotel deserves praise containing descriptions such as "superb." This is a reaction to other problems in their production chain.

M&K for example, has always tested everyone of the speakers it ships out of it's So Cal facility. And, this critcal listening is done by only a few qualified people.
Furthermore, before assembly, all drivers are tested and then matched and paired according to the model they are used for. This final listening test is what often slows down the production process -- they deem it to be that important.

Rotel is just now figuring out what ohers have been doing for years. Too bad it took something like this for them to wake up. Though I do not think it is something they won't recover fron, it has at least somwhat negatively affected their excellent reputation

Some people just don't get it. :roll:

[gianni]

Some people just don't get it. :roll:

Claue DD,

I would appreciate it if you could enlighten some of us and explain whatever it is that we don't "get". Obviously, you know something some of us don't. So please, do share with us.

[aud19]

I am a big fan of Rotel but I don't think Rotel deserves praise containing descriptions such as "superb." This is a reaction to other problems in their production chain.

M&K for example, has always tested everyone of the speakers it ships out of it's So Cal facility. And, this critcal listening is done by only a few qualified people.
Furthermore, before assembly, all drivers are tested and then matched and paired according to the model they are used for. This final listening test is what often slows down the production process -- they deem it to be that important.

Rotel is just now figuring out what ohers have been doing for years. Too bad it took something like this for them to wake up. Though I do not think it is something they won't recover fron, it has at least somwhat negatively affected their excellent reputation.

While I don't entirely disagree with your statements there... checking speakers and checking the thousands of parts plus software of a pre/pro or receiver are slightly different things

[Andrew M Ward]

M&K for example, has always tested everyone of the speakers it ships out of it's So Cal facility. And, this critcal listening is done by only a few qualified people.
Furthermore, before assembly, all drivers are tested and then matched and paired according to the model they are used for. This final listening test is what often slows down the production process -- they deem it to be that important.

I think you're not understanding the key point:

The products are tested at the manufacturing facility and then again when received in the USA

It would be the equivalent of M&K speakers being opened and tested again after they were shipped to Japan... Right?

[gianni]

Aud19, Andrew M,

I agree that comparing speaker assembly to complex electronics is not an apples to apples comparison. My point is that there are problems elsewhere in Rotel's process that need to be addressed. They do have QC problems. I think what is happening in New York is more like QA.

By screening the products in the US, they are just letting the good ones pass through. This does not fix the basic problem. Granted, this is a welcome move.
Without a doubt, there are QC issues at Rotel. While this final check is good, it in itself no way means they have "superb" contols in place up the line. If it were superb, this thread would not exist.

My point is similar to what DrJRapp wrote in post #6. He applaudes this move but stops well short of praising Rotel's current state of affairs.

[DrJRapp]

Gianni,

I think the problem you have with the title of this thread is that it should have read something like: "Rotel takes extraordinary measures to correct quality control issues." This is not to downplay the significance of what Rotel is doing, it certainly is monumental and extreme as far as manufacturers are concerned. At the same time it is not a laudable move because, unfortunatly, it is a measure that Rotel has had to impose on itself because the factory quality assurance process is a failure and is letting far to many defective units get to the consumer level. Calling the measure "superb" is sort of like saying your kid did real well in summer school. A noteworthy achievement, but never should have been necessary to start with.

Also, unfortunatly, the screening that is being done doesn't catch everything because it doesn't test everything, and it also doesn't address component failures that are showing up after the 10 hour burn in, which are still occurring. I myself can attest to having one of the "QC'd" 1098s still have a video failure about a week or so after I got it, or at roughly 100 hours of use. Fortunatly, replacement components were provided quickly by EI (Thanks AW) and I was able to install them myself due to the modular design of the 1098. So, finally after 2 1098s with the second receiving some replacement parts I have one that is, (and I should bite my toung), 100%. I can't really qualify that as "superb" QC, but it does qualify as an excellent recovery due to the persistance and professionalism of the techs at EI.

[gianni]

Gianni,

I think the problem you have with the title of this thread is that it should have read something like: "Rotel takes extraordinary measures to correct quality control issues." This is not to downplay the significance of what Rotel is doing, it certainly is monumental and extreme as far as manufacturers are concerned. At the same time it is not a laudable move because, unfortunatly, it is a measure that Rotel has had to impose on itself because the factory quality assurance process is a failure and is letting far to many defective units get to the consumer level. Calling the measure "superb" is sort of like saying your kid did real well in summer school. A noteworthy achievement, but never should have been necessary to start with.

Also, unfortunatly, the screening that is being done doesn't catch everything because it doesn't test everything, and it also doesn't address component failures that are showing up after the 10 hour burn in, which are still occurring. I myself can attest to having one of the "QC'd" 1098s still have a video failure about a week or so after I got it, or at roughly 100 hours of use. Fortunatly, replacement components were provided quickly by EA (Thanks AW) and I was able to install them myself due to the modular design of the 1098. So, finally after 2 1098s with the second receiving some replacement parts I have one that is, (and I should bite my toung), 100%. I can't really qualify that as "superb" QC, but it does qualify as an excellent recovery due to the persistance and professionalism of the techs at EA.

DrJRapp,

That is exactly the problem I have with the title of this thread.

As for the remainder of your reply: you hit the nail right on the head. That is how I see this situation. I don't have any issues with the original poster's brining this positive new step to everyone's attention. In fact, I welcome it. But as you point out, if you look at the big picture, "superb" is hardly appropriate. One thing I do know: DrJRapp "gets" it.

[Claude D D]

I was under the impression that Club Rotel was created to share usefull info and help trouble shoot problems or set-up issues.More recently it seems that some questionable people that may have limited or no actual use of Rotel products feel the need to trash Rotel gear and bag on those who provide help to people that are in need of assistance.I find this trend is getting worse and the moderators of the forum should step in a little more to get this situation under control. :M

[GregoriusM]

Any bettering of QC and/or QA when you are looking forward to buying a Rotel product is, in my mind, superb.

It is all semantics.

Your good may be my superb.

My superb may be someone else's "should have been doing it all along".

I laud Rotel for stepping up to the plate, even if they don't get a home run every time.

It's all for the better, especially for the Rotelians in the group, or even more importantly, the buyers of future Rotel products and for future Rotelians!


Superb, I say! ;x( :B

[RebelMan]

Claude, I believe the majority of the members here agree with your impressions. Unfortunately, some people have had less than satisfactory experiences with their Rotel equipment and I think these frustrations when aired can seem personally directed.

While in some cases feedback may "sound" personally abrasive I don't believe it was "meant" to be personally abrasive. However, I also believe that we should all exercise consideration of others when we state how we feel about the problems we went or are going through.

Hang tough man! :T

[NewBuyer]

Claude, you sound like a person who is feeling very delicate and offended. In reading this thread I didn't think that anybody was trying to hurt your feelings or sensibilities. But you never know - perhaps those who didn't echo your own individual opinion did somehow mean it personally against you, and will now step up and apologize, especially since you are obviously so upset.

[Elvis]

Man,what is it with this "fanboy"mentality?Can't a person have a complaint without some acting like they're being personally attacked?Rotels had some problems,there's NO disputing this,if they can do better great but for NOW they still do.Almost every time someone has a complaint they're attacked for saying so by a few zealots.You have to be pretty insecure to take what a company does and somehow feel you have to defend it.

I love the way my Rotels sound and operate!I'm not offended in the least if someone else don't or they have a complaint,its probably legit.

[Claude D D]

Elvis you totally miss the point.And yes sometimes people are personally attacked for statements they make in this forum and some people trash products that they don't actually own.As a dealer of Rotel products I have yet to have seen a Rotel amp come in with a blown fuse that wasn't related to a incorrect hook up problem or failure from improper ventilation(and only 2 at that).Out of many RSX-1056's sold we've had only one that had a problem(popping sound though speakers when changing inputs and volume-intermitent)And one RMB-1095 that had a hum(turned out to be a ground loop issuse a the customers home-the amp was silent upon hook up in our store)I could count on one hand the problems we've had with Rotel units.A very small amount considering the volume we sell.I'm not saying that Rotel products are perfect and I'm sure there are people that have had defective units.But for the volume of units that are sold the problems are relatively few.For every one person out there that speaks out about their "defective" Rotel there are hundreds if not thousands that have never had a problem with their Rotel gear.So forgive me if I get a little annoyed at times but I have to on occasion explain this to potential customers.To a person that may miss out on enjoying a fine piece of gear that could give them years of enjoyment because they read in a forum that some guy was having problems with a Rotel.But that's life in the forums.Hope I was able to shed some light on were I am coming from.By the way I was a Rotel owner before I was a Rotel sales guy(going on 3 1/2 yrs+since I got my first RB-1080)and have never had any problems related to my Rotel gear. :T

[Elvis]

Hey Claude,thats a pretty good explanation of your position.I'm not as confident as you as I've had a few minor problems but we can agree Rotel sounds great.

[NewBuyer]

Being that Claude is a Rotel dealer and has also been personally lucky to have no problems at all with his own gear so far - that kinda explains the tone of his opinion.

In quality control however you do learn that the correct picture is not always the positive-sounding one. It is also possible that the people who speak out about a defective unit are merely the tip of the iceberg regarding significant existing manufacturing problems and issues, especially those problems that still allow a unit to function with its defect (i.e. those defects that don't result in total failure of the unit but instead result in functional but sub-standard operation).

Hopefully the problems we read about here aren't just the tip of that particular iceberg though, especially for Rotel dealers.

[Elvis]

Newbuyer ain't no greenhorn.

[GregoriusM]

I got my 3rd Rotel 1056 in today AND the box has a green dot on the outside AND the receiver is PERFECT!

Kudos to Rotel in doing what they can now in Quality Assurace by checking the shipments when they hit the U.S. shores while they work on their Quality Control at the factory.

- A happy Rotelian

[aud19]

I got my 3rd Rotel 1056 in today AND the box has a green dot on the outside AND the receiver is PERFECT!

Kudos to Rotel in doing what they can now in Quality Assurace by checking the shipments when they hit the U.S. shores while they work on their Quality Control at the factory.

- A happy Rotelian

Yay Greg!!!! arty: Glad you got the one you deserved/expected :T

[RebelMan]

They say "third time's a charm." Hopefully, "first time's a charm" will become more common place around here for the rest of us Rotelians, eh!

Good to hear Greg! :T

[bleeding ears]

What about downunder?

Hi guys , thats great news about the Quality control measures Rotel are taking in the US.

Hopefully the same or similar type of checking of units will occurr downunder
because some of the stuff I was reading, about problems with Rotel gear was scaring me, and probably a lot of others away.

When it comes time for an upgrade, I will be asking lots of questions and looking for green dots before making my decision on which brand to buy, or parting with any hard earned dollars.

But to end on a positive note, I must say "good work" Rotel.

Pete