Restoration Warranty
Every recorder restored by The DAT Lab is carefully inspected, serviced, calibrated and thoroughly tested before leaving the workshop.
The warranty reflects confidence in the restoration work performed and the parts replaced during that process. At the same time, it is important to remember that these recorders are vintage electronic instruments, many of them over thirty years old. While worn or defective components are replaced where necessary, numerous original parts remain in service and naturally continue to age.
For this reason, the warranty applies specifically to the work carried out during the restoration rather than to every original component within the recorder.
Warranty Period
Restoration Work
Head Drum Warranty - Newly installed head drums are covered as follows:
Professional DAT Recorders
Restoration Principles
Every recorder is fully documented before dispatch. Serial numbers are recorded, security seals applied where appropriate, and photographs taken as part of the restoration record.
Warranty coverage begins on the day the recorder is delivered.
Where possible, warranty claims will be resolved through repair. If repair is not feasible, an identical replacement may be offered where available. Refunds will only be considered when neither repair nor replacement is possible.
Due to the rarity of many parts, warranty claims for DAT, DCC, MiniDisc and CD equipment may require up to 150 days to resolve. Certain professional, Japanese-market, imported, portable or particularly rare models may require up to 240 days, depending on parts availability.
During the warranty period, shipping costs remain the responsibility of the owner.
Extended warranty options may be available for selected units.
What Is Not Covered
The warranty does not cover normal ageing, cosmetic deterioration or faults unrelated to the restoration performed.
Examples include:
Circumstances That Void Warranty
The warranty becomes void if the recorder has been:
Vintage Equipment
Vintage DAT recorders require careful handling and appropriate media.
Tape contamination, deteriorated tapes, environmental conditions or long periods of storage may occasionally cause guide rollers to become restricted, affecting tape path alignment and playback performance. Such conditions develop through use and age rather than as a result of defective restoration, and therefore do not fall within the scope of the warranty.
Similarly, failures occurring in original electronic components that were functioning correctly at the time of restoration cannot reasonably be regarded as defects in the restoration itself.
Inspection of Non-Warranty Returns
If a recorder returned under warranty is found to have developed faults resulting from misuse, accidental damage, unsuitable media (DDS Tapes) or causes unrelated to the restoration performed, the repair will be treated as a non-warranty service.
Should the owner decide not to proceed with the recommended repair after inspection, a minimum inspection fee of €150 will apply.
The warranty reflects confidence in the restoration work performed and the parts replaced during that process. At the same time, it is important to remember that these recorders are vintage electronic instruments, many of them over thirty years old. While worn or defective components are replaced where necessary, numerous original parts remain in service and naturally continue to age.
For this reason, the warranty applies specifically to the work carried out during the restoration rather than to every original component within the recorder.
Warranty Period
Restoration Work
- 90-day warranty covering the labour performed and the parts replaced during the restoration.
- The warranty applies solely to the original reported fault.
- Professional and consumer recorders: 6–12 months (as specified for the individual recorder).
- Portable recorders: 3 months.
Head Drum Warranty - Newly installed head drums are covered as follows:
Professional DAT Recorders
- 250 operating hours (machines fitted with an hour meter)
- 150 operating hours (machines fitted with an hour meter)
- 30 days from the date of delivery.
Restoration Principles
Every recorder is fully documented before dispatch. Serial numbers are recorded, security seals applied where appropriate, and photographs taken as part of the restoration record.
Warranty coverage begins on the day the recorder is delivered.
Where possible, warranty claims will be resolved through repair. If repair is not feasible, an identical replacement may be offered where available. Refunds will only be considered when neither repair nor replacement is possible.
Due to the rarity of many parts, warranty claims for DAT, DCC, MiniDisc and CD equipment may require up to 150 days to resolve. Certain professional, Japanese-market, imported, portable or particularly rare models may require up to 240 days, depending on parts availability.
During the warranty period, shipping costs remain the responsibility of the owner.
Extended warranty options may be available for selected units.
What Is Not Covered
The warranty does not cover normal ageing, cosmetic deterioration or faults unrelated to the restoration performed.
Examples include:
- Original components that were not replaced during the restoration.
- Head drums, except those newly installed as part of the restoration or supplied in collection recorders.
- Cosmetic parts including cabinets, buttons, knobs, lettering and wooden side panels.
- LCD displays, illumination lamps and LEDs.
- Accessories such as remote controls, rechargeable batteries, power supplies, cables, carrying cases and step-down transformers.
- Shipping costs and damage sustained during transport.
Circumstances That Void Warranty
The warranty becomes void if the recorder has been:
- repaired or modified by a third party;
- opened after security seals have been broken or removed;
- subjected to misuse, neglect or accidental damage;
- exposed to liquid ingress, excessive humidity, heat or other unsuitable environmental conditions;
- damaged through improper operation or failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Vintage Equipment
Vintage DAT recorders require careful handling and appropriate media.
Tape contamination, deteriorated tapes, environmental conditions or long periods of storage may occasionally cause guide rollers to become restricted, affecting tape path alignment and playback performance. Such conditions develop through use and age rather than as a result of defective restoration, and therefore do not fall within the scope of the warranty.
Similarly, failures occurring in original electronic components that were functioning correctly at the time of restoration cannot reasonably be regarded as defects in the restoration itself.
Inspection of Non-Warranty Returns
If a recorder returned under warranty is found to have developed faults resulting from misuse, accidental damage, unsuitable media (DDS Tapes) or causes unrelated to the restoration performed, the repair will be treated as a non-warranty service.
Should the owner decide not to proceed with the recommended repair after inspection, a minimum inspection fee of €150 will apply.
Payment:
Payment method: Paypal + 6.5% (no exceptions).