Audiophonics branded amps: Reliable?

[fatoldgit]

So I am looking to pull the trigger on this:

AUDIOPHONICS HPA-Q450ET Power Amplifier Four Channel

The Audiophonics HPA-Q450ET power amplifier is based on a Class D architecture, using four Purifi 1ET6525SA amplifier modules, two Hypex SMPS1200A400 power supplies and an Audiophonics custom buffer stage...

www.audiophonics.fr

Spec's look good (assuming Audiophonics can be trusted - no reason not to assume they can't be) BUT I Iive at the bottom of the world so a long way from France for support.

The amplifier is based on four Purifi 1ET6525SA amplifier modules, two Hypex SMPS1200A400 power supplies and an Audiophonics custom buffer stage so in theory (at least for the Purifi and Hypex) we have solid brands in play.

But before I hand over 4000 clams in my local currency (plus potentially another 15% in import tax) can anyone provide me with some comfort factor as to how reliable this will be.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[BeeKay]

Sounds like the country where almost every animal appears to be poisonous.
Why not go March Audio?

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Sounds like the country where almost every animal appears to be poisonous.
Why not go March Audio?

What? How? Why?
Such an odd answer requires an explanation..

 

[BeeKay]

Assuming it’s the kangaroo continent there is https://marchaudio.com/ who seem to do a good job and any warranty process should be way easier than shipping goods around the globe?

 

[fatoldgit]

Sounds like the country where almost every animal appears to be poisonous.
Why not go March Audio?

Close... a bit more south than OZ.

 

[fatoldgit]

Assuming it’s the kangaroo continent there is https://marchaudio.com/ who seem to do a good job and any warranty process should be way easier than shipping goods around the globe?

Yeah... when I did a search for Purifi 1ET6525SA AFTER I found the Audiphonics amp I did see March Audio.

Would need 2 x stereo and pricing is about the same so not an issue with 2 boxes.

This is more attractive and if the crap hits the fan and it becomes hard to get a resolution I can always get one of my Cuzzy Bro's living in OZ to do some door knocking.

Peter

 

[BeeKay]

TBH … I would love to try their Purifi speakers but hesitate for the distance reason

 

[amirm]

But before I hand over 4000 clams in my local currency (plus potentially another 15% in import tax) can anyone provide me with some comfort factor as to how reliable this will be.

Nobody can tell you anything specific regarding reliability of any product. We don't have such objective data. The product you are looking at though, uses very high quality components that are tested to much higher standard than the company selling them. Audiophonics has superb customer service and is a member here as well. I use one of their stereo amps to drive the rear channels in my theater and would not hesitate to buy any of their products.

 

[Holmz]

Assuming it’s the kangaroo continent there is https://marchaudio.com/ who seem to do a good job and any warranty process should be way easier than shipping goods around the globe?

Alan lives about 20km away.
While I do not have any of his amps or speakers, they are nice and well executed.
The amp cases are (or were) hogged out of a billet of alloy, and I am still thinking I might get one for the centre channel of a HT setup.

And there is something to said for putting the amps closer to the speakers.
I am assuming that 4 amp channels are needed for a HT setup?
You at least save on wiring with just running XLRs out closer to the speakers.

 

[BeeKay]

To be very clear here: nothing against Audiophonics. I would not hesitate to buy from them. A big advantage for me: both of us are in the EU (no import taxes, common legal regulations) and in the same time zone. Which is why I pointed towards 'OZ'

 

[pma]

Audiophonics is a re-seller and OEM assembler. The products they sell would be reliable depending mostly on quality of original products and modules they sell/use.

 

[RickS]

March Audio generally does a great job with design but seems to struggle with operational excellence to match. Audiophonics is a mixed bag but seems better on the support side of being a solid supplier. Acquisition cost is lower too, but if you need a repair, shipping may eat up that savings. May depend on other factors.

Since I have solid local support, would go with Audiophonics personally.

 

[Taiga]

I’m in the US. Audiophonics responded to a question I had within hours. I then ordered a Hypex NC502MP amp from them and received it in a few days. No issues with the amp in 2+ years.

 

[Snafu]

Long time EU Audiophonics customer here.

Haven't had any issues with customer service or products (dacs, d-class amp, inears, cabels etc, brands: Topping, Moondrop, Audiophonics).
Always good communication if there is something to ask. Shipping is quick and over all they have no hassle approach for taking care of their business.

5/5 from me.

 

[Holmz]

Close... a bit more south than OZ.

View attachment 416699

I’d suggest reaching out to <Alan> March Audio.
There are a few stereo businesses in the antipodes, and it is good to have some stuff happening relatively locally.

There is an LP cutting system in Perth (James Sillitoe, Sillitoe audio), <Mark> Dohmann has his TT in Victoria, the Kyron speakers in Adelaide.
The March gear is the not eye watering expensive, and the cases Alan does make them a solid step up from some of the other offerings.

 

[Eddy]

I had the AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC and AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S250NC. No Problems at all. I would buy there again.

 

[Sokel]

The classic Purifi-Sparkos Audiophonics has been taking rounds around friends for 2 years (or more?) now.Not enough to judge reliability,I know.
Built is decent,not on the heavy side,adequate I would say,

No pops at on and off,silent,it has driven various speakers staying just warm.The only time it got hot was driving ELS's at loud-ish levels (note that there was 5 of us there,and levels are always higher with more people) but that was expected.

Audiophonics is nice if you know exactly what you want.Returning stuff is easy too I guess,limited experience though,the only thing I have returned is a midsp flex and that when smooth.

 

[Fahzz]

Opinions / experience with Audiophonics.fr?

My Audiophonics S250NC stopped working properly, still under warranty. I contacted their customer service. At first they doubted that it was an amplifier problem, and asked me to ship it to them in France at my expense. Since I'm in the US, shipping cost would have been a couple of hundred...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[Oniiz86]

March Audio generally does a great job with design but seems to struggle with operational excellence to match. Audiophonics is a mixed bag but seems better on the support side of being a solid supplier. Acquisition cost is lower too, but if you need a repair, shipping may eat up that savings. May depend on other factors.

Since I have solid local support, would go with Audiophonics personally.

@Rick Sykora I was just curious what you meant regarding how March Audio struggles with operational excellence to match when it comes to his designs, are you simply referring to the Piezoelectric power switch or the choice of the OPA1612 op amp with a high input bias current?

 

[GXAlan]

Opinions / experience with Audiophonics.fr?

My Audiophonics S250NC stopped working properly, still under warranty. I contacted their customer service. At first they doubted that it was an amplifier problem, and asked me to ship it to them in France at my expense. Since I'm in the US, shipping cost would have been a couple of hundred...

audiosciencereview.com

Thanks for sharing.

Audiophonics is great for shipping things to the U.S., but it’s these kinds of stories that separate the wheat from the chaff.

There are two arguments that can be made.

You gamble by going with a lower cost product. Hopefully in the long run it works out, or it’s the “other guy” who loses and gets the defective unit.

You go with a premium product with premium service. You essentially are pre-paying for service that you may never need. You either break even with great service or the company wins. Accuphase is an example of world class customer service that you are essentially pre-paying.

For me, I go with the premium products with premium service. Time is money, and better stated, time can only be lost. Sometimes this means getting products with worse SINAD while also paying a lot of money. But from the enjoyment standpoint, a working piece of audio gear is sort of necessary.