Class D amp long term reliability

[JSmith]

I meant it affectionately, as I am a fan.

I understand, however it's not about how you may mean it, it's about how someone else might interpret the term usage.


JSmith

 

[goryu]

Why are we discussing turntables in a class d amp thread???

 

[Fahzz]

In @Fahzz case, still do not know what exactly is wrong with his amp. Am big proponent of understanding the target problem before suggesting a fix.

Per Audiophonics:
"We have found the fault on your amplifier,
A ceramic capacitor in the Power ON circuit have been remplaced." (sic)

A word of advice: when buying from overseas keep in mind the return shipping cost. I initially ran into a problem where it would've cost me more than $200 to return the unit to the manufacturer. I had someone look at it in the US, and forwarded their findings to Audiophonics. They sent me a mailing label, repaired it, and returned the unit.

Another word of advice: In my experience, it was very difficult to find someone who repairs class D amplifiers. I got lucky. If you can't find someone then you wind up at the mercy of a company thousands of miles away.

 

[Fahzz]

When I said I was lucky to find someone in the US to look at my amp, I meant that I was lucky that member Rick Sykora was reading the thread and offered to help. He graciously asked me to send the unit to him, and the shipping costs were much lower here in the States. He took a look at it for a reasonable fee, and sent me his impressions of what the problem was, which I forwarded to Audiophonics, and based on his findings they agreed to pay for a return and repair under the warranty. (I hesitated to mention his name here without his permission.)

Just one more reason that membership in ASR is so valuable. Thanks again Rick!

 

[RickS]

When I said I was lucky to find someone in the US to look at my amp, I meant that I was lucky that member Rick Sykora was reading the thread and offered to help. He graciously asked me to send the unit to him, and the shipping costs were much lower here in the States. He took a look at it for a reasonable fee, and sent me his impressions of what the problem was, which I forwarded to Audiophonics, and based on his findings they agreed to pay for a return and repair under the warranty. (I hesitated to mention his name here without his permission.)

Just one more reason that membership in ASR is so valuable. Thanks again Rick!

Happy to help out. For those who are interested, despite what appeared to be Audiophonics daughtercard issue, replaced it with the Hypex MP series eval board. At first it worked, but after some cycling, encountered the same issue as with the daughtercard. This could only mean that the amp module was at fault. Seems an oddball failure. Was good to see Audiophonics step up once the problem was isolated.

 

[PaulT]

I'm considering the purchase of a Class D amplifier to go between my RME DAC and a pair of Wharfedale Linton 85s.

I'm based in the UK. I've been looking at a few Purifi options and also considering the DIY Hypex Nilai.

My question is about reliability / longevity. My Class A/B can be repaired, assuming parts do not become obsolete. What is the situation with Class D, say if the module that my amp uses is no longer made. I saw a separate thread about NAD no longer offering repair for an M22, which is less than 10 years old. Beyond length of warranty, the manufacturers are quiet about this.

Can anyone shed any light?

Apologies if there is already a similar thread - I did a search and didn't come up with anything.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Hi @PaulT, welcome to ASR

The very short answer is that yes they are generally reliable and yes they can be repaired. But the implementation matters, so if you choose a very cheap option, there may be issues with improper handling of thermal issues etc.

Here's a similar thread with almost 1,000 replies, probably some useful advice there

Class D amp long term reliability

Hi, Looking for 2 channel amp to play a few hours 3-4 days a week. Would like to keep it for the next 10-15 years. Are class D amps today reliable enough to last that long without issues? Or should I go with AB amp? Don't really care one way or the other, but obviously my choice would be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[PaulT]

Hi @PaulT, welcome to ASR

The very short answer is that yes they are generally reliable and yes they can be repaired. But the implementation matters, so if you choose a very cheap option, there may be issues with improper handling of thermal issues etc.

Here's a similar thread with almost 1,000 replies, probably some useful advice there

Class D amp long term reliability

Hi, Looking for 2 channel amp to play a few hours 3-4 days a week. Would like to keep it for the next 10-15 years. Are class D amps today reliable enough to last that long without issues? Or should I go with AB amp? Don't really care one way or the other, but obviously my choice would be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Great, thanks. And, apologies for my failure to see beyond the end of my nose

 

[egellings]

With class D, you get more circuit complexity but less heat than you do with non-switch mode (class AB and similar) designs. So it's a toss up, since more circuit complexity decreases reliability but less heat increases reliability.

 

[Purité Audio]

Amir has measured quite a number including the NAD,

NAD C298 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of NAD C298 stereo class D power amplifier based on Purifi Eigentakt modules. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $2,399. The unit is quite heavy for a class D amplifier. The front is plain as most power amps are. I was not a fan of the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

and an earlier mono version of the Boxem Arthur,

boXem Arthur 4222/E1 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the boXem Audio Arthur 4222/E1 mono power amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs €1,490.00. The design is quintessential European with gray body and colorful front panel which I like. The only power button is on the back: Fortunately...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Keith

 

[Mikig]

I have had a Halcro MC30 class D with the circuit they called Lyrus for years now. It has never had a problem. Interestingly, two amps I have that need repair are one class A and one AB