SMSL GaN amp failures

[JimFarrell29]

Hi folks

I purchased a pair of SMSL PA200 GaN amps in May last year. They have been running quite happily since as monoblocks, fed by XLR from a modified Musical Paradise MP701mk3 preamp (new tubes, replacement caps). However just yesterday one failed. It has power and the screen responds to commands but no output on either channel. Same thing using xlr, rca inputs and in mono and stereo mode. I have tried multiple sources, preamps, cables and speakers.

I wouldnt post about that, except I was so pleased with these I bought a single PA400 amp to do front speaker duties in my AV system and it arrived faulty last week. Initially the sound cut out every few seconds and then no sound at all. Exactly the same as the PA200.

So I cant help but think there is a design issue here, and wonder if others have had similar experiences. I asked SMSL but they simply suggested sending the amp back (to Hifigo and Aoshida audio). They did not comment on any known faults and I wonder if anyone else has had similar issues.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jim

 

[ianjams21]

I’m having the same problem after about 3 weeks of use with LS50 Meta

 

[JimFarrell29]

I’m having the same problem after about 3 weeks of use with LS50 Meta

I sent my PA400 back for a refund from HifiGo, and my PA200 is currently.in Shanghai clearing customs. I want it back to pair with my other one, so it will be sent for repair (though Chinese New Year gets in the way). Hopefully they will tell me what went wrong so I can post about it.

Sorry to hear yours went the same way. I would imagine it powered the LS50 meta well.

Im also waiting (6 weeks and counting) for a dual mono Purifi 9040 from Apollon Audio. Be interesting to see how it compares to the GaN amps. It should, of course, be better. We will see. Hopefully it will be more reliable.