Chef, that's a shame. I was thinking "uh-oh" when I read you were getting a repaired one back. I'd have insisted for new.
KJung, you're normally a paragon of logic in threads about damaged gear, but I think you're off the mark on this one. Do you know that the B1500 uses cheap parts?
It uses *few* parts so that keeps the price down, especially compared to an amp like the DB750 for example which is almost twice the size and jam-packed with parts (while the inside of the Carvin is quite spartan), then factor that there's no big markup by retailers which saves ... what ... 50% at least?, and no exchange rate boosting the price on importing since it's made domestically, and I don't see anything cheap about it.
Certainly doesn't sound cheap - quietest fan by far of the amps I've tried (dual-speed, at that), and the least amount of any residual amp noise of all the ones I've had (including the TF), actual metal knobs/pots (unlike some much more expensive brands), etc., so that doesn't make me think of cheap either. And then we all know of much more expensive amps that, apparently at least, have far more problems that'll leave you amp-less on a gig yet no one suggests they use cheap parts (even though some of them clearly do - starting with plastic instead of metal, then knobs & jacks mounted to the boards directly, parts glued-on, etc.).
The Walkabout, which I mention 'cause Chef recently got one and I've got one too, has a lot of cheap in the build and has had some widespread problems because of it, yet costs a *lot* more. So, cost just doesn't equate quality.
Bright side, at least Chef's amp still actually works fine and the gig got done.
Carvin claims they use parts well above spec and from what I see inside mine I believe them but I am not an electronics expert though I have close friends who are (EE) so I have a vague idea what to look for.
Good luck Chef !
That sucks IMO. I wouldn't want a "fixed" amp when I ordered a brand new one.
