A little while back I posted about having problem with my New Soundfiled ST350. Bought it new in Dec '07 and also got a used 744T so I could run the unit B Format. I used the two in unison in B Format without any issues about a dozen times, no problems at all. About 3 months ago, I had an issue where the signal going into the 744 seemed to lock up somewhere between the 45 minute - 1:30 mark. All I saw on the 744T was constant metering locked in, and all I hear is a low level hum in the audio file. It does not happen every time, but I'd say 65% is a fair estimate. I have about 10 botched recordigns becasue of this.
I sent the 744 to SD thinking it was a problem with the deck, they tested it thoroughly and came back saying it was not a problem and sent the unit back to me. During that time I had a chance to run the SoundField stereo out into a borrowed 722. Same problem, about 45 minutes into a recording, the meters locked up and all I have is a low level hum. So now I'm convinced it's an issue with the ST350
I sent the ST350 back to Soundfield where the engineer told me because it was such a unique problem he wanted to look at it personally but he was going out of the country for 2 weeks and will make it a priority when he gets back. He got back last Tuesday and I sent a follow up email on Wed to check in and communicate my timeframe to have the unit back. Keep in mind they've had the unit for 3 weeks and it's finally getting looked at. I emailed again to follow up, no response. I email again last night to follow up and got this response (now 4 weeks in)
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you…
We have been checking over your ST350 thoroughly and have not managed to find anything wrong. We have also been testing it with our 744T (both on batteries and mains) and it keeps on running/recording perfectly.
The only difference in our setup I can think of are the battery system/batteries you use, maybe the power is somehow glitching which is freezing the recorder.
Apologies for not being more conclusive… I presume the best thing to do is for us to send the ST350 back to you.
Thanks,
xxxxxxx
For the record, I've been using the battery supply built by Soundfield (Sorry Nick's Picks, I ended up breaking down and buying their's because it was more compact). So it cannot be a powering issue. It's the power supply they make.
So now both SD and Soundfield are telling me it's not their unit and their testing worked fine, but I know from field use the 350 failed multiple times, at least 6-7 times, and on my deck and another deck. Meanwhile, I borrowed a friends AKG's to run with my 744 and everything worked fine so I can assume it's not my deck. So to sum up. The St350 failed with both a 744 and a 722. And The 744 worked perfectly outside of the ST350. So I'm 100% sure the ST350 is the issue. And they're saying it's not.
What would you recommend me doing? I'm feeling like I'm in a unique spot because neither side can replicate my issue, though I can provide samples to evidence it happening. Should I just request a new unit from Soundfield? What is the correct protocol. My gut feel from Soundfield tells me they aren't going to replace something they can't replicate, and I can't seem to replicate this issue anywhere but in the field. I feel I have a unrelaible product I paid $7k for. What is the best next move?