Should I be worried about buying a used Class D amp?

[GuelphBassie]

I bought a new but B stock TC Electronics RH450 about seven or eight years ago. Because I had an in with them I got it for less than half of retail. I loved it and used it a lot and it just died on me. They are telling me it will require replacing at least one of the two circuit boards and that will cost at least what I paid for it.

I'm disinclined to spend that much and searching around for what else is out there.

I'm curious if people are wary about buying class D amps, especially used ones, given that when they go they are often so difficult and expensive to fix?

I'm tempted to just get another RH450 used, or perhaps something from Mark Bass or Aguilar, but those tiny, lightweight boxes are no longer inspiring confidence!

Do solid state amps tend to be more durable?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Passinwind]

Do solid state amps tend to be more durable?

All current Class D bass amps on the commercial market are solid state.

 

[GuelphBassie]

Forgive me. What's the term I'm looking for? Analog solid state as opposed to the digital class D amps?

 

[portpc]

I'd be no more wary with a Class D then any other solid state amp, It all comes down to the Manufacturers' QC & choice of components..
I recently sold a Class D Traynor SB200 I bought lightly used 5 years ago, I played approx. 200 gigs with it & it went to its' new home for at least another 200.

Traynor (Yorkville) makes very solid gear, You often get what you pay for, That said I'd personally avoid anything used from the Behringer/Bugera/TC factory as the durability is questionable.

Also, Maybe it's fake news but as much as I like Mark Bass gear I've met several bassists who had failures with it & issues trying to get it repaired.

 

[Passinwind]

Forgive me. What's the term I'm looking for? Analog solid state as opposed to the digital class D amps?

Class D amps aren't really digital in the traditional sense either. I'd just suggest "Old School Solid State." Linear vs. non-linear solid state might satisfy the more pedantic among us though, I guess.

In any case, I'd like to suggest that you consider cost and especially warranty duration as potentially better indicators than amp topology. As fewer and fewer of us old repair techs are still working in the field, old school amps that may now be running into parts availability hassles are going to be experiencing repair cost viability issues too. If it seems disposable it may well be, IME. But as my buddy @agedhorse often says, a good tech in a good facility with good factory support can fix (some, not all) Class D amps pretty cost effectively, and the failure rates of some (not all) of them are very impressive.

 

[StyleOverShow]

BOught a Little Mark II a dozen years ago, used. Dropped it once, repaired. It gigs/rehearses 12 times a month.

Bought a Genz Benz Shuttle Max 12 last year, used. It gig/rehearses 4-6 times a month.

My other rig is a Ampeg fliptop PF 800, class D. It rarely sees the light of day except during festival season.

Point is very reliable, all solid state, class D and all purchased used.

 

[ddnidd1]

Check out the Mesa line. Solid, reliable with excellent customer service and 5 year warranty.

 

[hennessybass]

I would't worry about buying a used class D amp... except for some of them.

Some of them have really great reputations for being solid performers, with no known issues, with great customer support.
Some of them have not as great reputations for reliability, repariability, or customer support.

I'm tempted to just get another RH450 used, or perhaps something from Mark Bass or Aguilar, but those tiny, lightweight boxes are no longer inspiring confidence!

If I had a RH450, and it broke - like your's did - I wouldn't be inclined to buy another one.
My personal experience with MarkBass would lead me NOT to buy a MarkBass amp.
Considering my personal experience with Aguilar, I would have ZERO concerns about buying a used Aguilar amp - assuming the buyer seemed reputable and the amp was in good condition.

Six months ago I bought a used Genz-Benz Streamliner 900 amp. I paid less than $500 for it, it was in like new condition, and I have had zero issues with it, and if I ever do I have resources available right here on TB to help with those issues.

FWIW, I have had more "issues" and made more repairs to old school solid state amps than I have with either class D or tube amps. I've owned a bunch off all of them.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

It is more about the Manufacturer than the Class itself.

Case in point, if you have a Genz-Benz Class D product Mr. Agedhorse can and does repair all of them for under $100 and in just a few days turn around. Unless someone messes around in them and screws things up.

Mesa and Genzler Amplification also have a great track record of reliability and costumer service, if something is in need they will take care of you. This is why I only deal with them.

Some other Company's are great also, so look into who treats customers and their own products with respect and take great care in making something good in the first place and not just more landfill junk to make a buck.

 

[klokker]

I'm tempted to just get another RH450 used, or perhaps something from Mark Bass or Aguilar, but those tiny, lightweight boxes are no longer inspiring confidence!

I get the hesitation, but class D heads won't be any less reliable than any other amp, IMO. But I'm another Genz Benz guy whose had a couple of class D heads for a long time now and zero problems.

 

[bassinflorida]

Forgive me. What's the term I'm looking for? Analog solid state as opposed to the digital class D amps?

A point if note. Class D amps usually (always?) refer to the 'switching mode power supply' that is used in them. Some or all may have incorporated various integrated circuits that would be considered 'digital'. That technology has been proven reliable for years now. They are powerful and reliable. Definitely research brands though.
Pretty sure some 'experts' will jump in.

 

[Artman]

I purchased a used Fender Rumble 500 head. Aside from scratchy pots that cleaned up easily, no problems. Practicing with it daily, rehearsing weekly, gigging monthly. I'd buy another used class D if the fan is as quiet, the power is available, and it can bring the old-school voicing like this one does.

 

[Wicked G]

Class D is just a topology. I worry no more about buying a used Class D than I would another type of amp. Actually I worry a lot less. If my TC Electronic RH450/750, Genz Benz Streamliner or Orange Terror Bass died I would definitely get another one. No doubt about it at all.

 

[mmon77]

Class D amps are no different than any other amp.

Buy one from a reputable manufacturer known for quality and support, and that's what you can expect.

Buy one from a manufacturer known for cheap equipment, and no support, and that's what you can expect.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've been using my Walter Woods Electroacoustic Ultra since I bought it used/mint condition. It had to be repaired once, and that was due to water getting inside the top of the amplifier.

Class D amps are very reliable, but I would not expect my BAM 200 that I payed $150.0 for to be repairable. Many newer less expensive models aren't really designed that way. At this point

the only amplifier I own that's truly designed to be repaired is my Ampeg B-15N(C).

 

[mmbongo]

Just like with anything else....it depends.

There is no reason to avoid Class D just because it's class D. In fact, Class D amps usually are cheaper to repair because they are modular. Just replace a board. They are also not digital. Class D is just like any other amp, there are good designs and there are bad designs.

So, just get a good one. Mesa. GK. Genzler. Bergantino. Quilter. Any of these are top notch.

 

[cableguy]

I buy most if not all of my amps used off the TB classifieds. Never an issue. If you stick with the manufacturers that still service their amps, you should be good. Used GK, Mesa, etc. I've bought & used many Carvin amps over the years, but would not buy one used now unless it was cheap and I considered it disposable. Not because they're not good quality, but because Carvin no longer services them.

 

[micguy]

Any amplifier topology has to be well engineered to be robust. What you want is someone made by someone that understands how to compensate for the flaws in the technology. The first amplifier design from a company using a given technology is likely to be less robust (assuming the company learns from its mistakes) than subsequent efforts. Given that, the best values in class D amps might not be in the used market. Your amp was pretty much a pioneer in the Class D bass amp world- 8 years, while it'd be nice if it lasted longer, may be good for that era.

 

[ELG60]

I bought all 3 of these very gently used. No worries. Mesa has a 5 year warranty as well. Just make sure that you choose carefully.

 

[DeepFriedBass]

My little mark II died after about 7 years. No more class D for me, or should I say solid state. Kind of bored of the sound anyway

And since it's a circuit board, noone I bring it to knows what's wrong or has the patience fo find out, nor has suggested any possibility of a way to have it work again. I've inspected it very carefully and everything looks brand new

Mesa has a 5 year warranty, wonder why it stops at 5?