I purchased an ADI-2 DAC FS in February 2022, and I’m now experiencing a channel imbalance issue when using the XLR output (this problem doesn’t occur with the headphone output).

I tested the unit by adjusting the balance to full left and full right, and the volume in the left channel is significantly lower than in the right channel.

After trying factory resets, firmware updates, and driver updates with online support from the official distributor, I sent the unit to their service center.

They’ve confirmed that the issue is due to a fault in the analog circuit on the mainboard and proposed the following repair options:

Since the warranty period (2 years) has expired, repairing the mainboard will cost nearly 200 euros.
If the repair fails, replacing the mainboard will cost 650 euros.
If I choose not to proceed with the repair, I’ll still need to pay a 40-euro inspection fee to get the unit returned.
These prices seem quite steep—almost as much as a new unit!

I’d really appreciate your advice and help. Thanks!