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

[mmon77]

That is funny, as every event you go to or play at will be powered by Class D for the show.
Better tell The Rolling Stones, The Who, Primus, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Carrie Underwood and many other major acts and Event Centers to have their PA changed out.

This is a fact that seems to go right over the heads of most people who have an issue with class D amps. They've been in widespread use outside our little cosmos as bass players for a very long time.

 

[agedhorse]

This is a fact that seems to go right over the heads of most people who have an issue with class D amps. They've been in widespread use outside our little cosmos as bass players for a very long time.

Coming from a pro audio career, it's not a surprise to me!

 

[jazzbass_5]

I a word, No.
Class D has been around for decades and has only improved in that time. I've been using class D to power my bass rigs since the 90s. (Peavey DPC 1400, 750 and DECA 528 amps).

 

[S-Bigbottom]

This is a fact that seems to go right over the heads of most people who have an issue with class D amps. They've been in widespread use outside our little cosmos as bass players for a very long time.

Not to mention that Class D is in ALL the portable music devices used by almost everyone these days.
All bluetooth speakers, computer speakers (internal as well as the external three to five piece sets you purchase separately) and tvs.
Pretty much anything that plays audio will be and has been for well over ten years, Class D.

The only ones fighting Class D is highend home stereo (hifi) snobs and some musicians.
The rest of the world runs on Class D.

 

[klejst]

Just be sure to check where you buy from regarding any warranty or exchange/return policies. Unless it's a complete pile of dookie obviously, however in general no you don't have to worry about Class-D amps in general compared to other amps.

 

[agedhorse]

Just be sure to check where you buy from regarding any warranty or exchange/return policies. Unless it's a complete pile of dookie obviously, however in general no you don't have to worry about Class-D amps in general compared to other amps.

Good point, yes be sure that whichever amp is chosen is still supported and/or repairable

 

[chris_b]

If your car broke down, would you refuse to buy another car?

OK, you've got a broken amp. Call the the manufacturer and see if there is an authorised repair guy near. If not, buy another amp. It's what we do these days when stuff stops working!

Don't worry what type of amp it is, just get one with a great sound from a reputable manufacturer.

 

[BogeyBass]

Very light and about 5 to 7 years with a switchmode

i know im just a horrible troll for saying so lol.
but understand with the cost approach and simplicity of getting
500 to 800 watt supplies, its very cheap and easy to do.
so 5 to 7 years pretty realistic.

kinda great time to be alive its pretty simple and cost effective to make high power supplies
back in the day even 400 watt supply was pretty expensive
now its dirt simple to get 500 to 800 watt supplies

of course a more costly and improved design pushes 10 to 15 years.
all subjective to many variables with the user , hours of operation and duty cycle.

but 3000 hrs parts are that and 12,000 hr parts, are just that

otherwise its more luck of the draw with any amp regardless of topology.
It either can break or last forever or something in between.

if your happy it really doesnt matter. i feel everything has Schrodinger's Cat in it.
Any amp in a travel case , at anytime, is either alive or dead lol.
Youll never know till it comes out of the case.
those are the real odds lol

 

[bass4u]

I've been using Class D amps for 11 years now without a single failure. I own a GK MB500, GK MB Fusion 500, Quilter BB800, TC Electronic BK500 and an Ampeg SVT (which stays in storage).
I"ve played over a thousand shows in the past 11 years and ALL the Class D amps worked how they are supposed too.
The one amp that gets the most use is the GK MB500. Using that amp I seem to never run out of headroom. I play in 4 bands and they are all not quiet rock bands. It has been subjected to direct sunlight in 98 degree weather and just kept pumping watts into two GK Neo 2x12 without breaking a sweat. It's seen a lot of road use, banging around, humidity, and hot and cold temperatures. It has been one of the most reliable amps I've ever owned.

 

[David Jayne]

I've been using Class D amps for 11 years now without a single failure. I own a GK MB500, GK MB Fusion 500, Quilter BB800, TC Electronic BK500 and an Ampeg SVT (which stays in storage).
I"ve played over a thousand shows in the past 11 years and ALL the Class D amps worked how they are supposed too.
The one amp that gets the most use is the GK MB500. Using that amp I seem to never run out of headroom. I play in 4 bands and they are all not quiet rock bands. It has been subjected to direct sunlight in 98 degree weather and just kept pumping watts into two GK Neo 2x12 without breaking a sweat. It's seen a lot of road use, banging around, humidity, and hot and cold temperatures. It has been one of the most reliable amps I've ever owned.

I've got a few years on one of those (MB500) as well. It's a solid piece and really does sound great. A friend of mine managed to break his but that's because it fell off his cab a few times.

 

[bucephylus]

So much misinformation in this thread, much of it with a nasty taking sides tilt to it. Just sad.

Thanks to @agedhorse and others for level headed responses. Great show of patience.

Look folks, the idea here is to exchange information and learn. This isn't the Monty Python argument department. It's Talk Bass.

My data are that I've been using Class D on gigs since, oh, 1994, and have yet to have a single unit out of probably ten or so fail on me. New or used. FWIW.

GK MB150E112 New
Walter Woods Green Light New
Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 Used
Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 New
Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 B stock
Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 Used
Demeter VTBP-201-800D Used/retrofit
Demeter Minnie 800D Used
Demeter Minnie 800D Used
GK MB150E112 Used

Before anyone tries to correct me about the GK, I just repurchased one of the older units, and while checking on an unrelated aspect, GK Customer Service informed me that the amp is Class D. I was surprised; but tend to believe the manufacturer. Nice little amps BTW.

That's my experience. Lots of gigs in the rear view mirror. Zero failures.

 

[Alex_H]

The 'advantage' of solid state AB amps: Still most Techs are used to them and can better repair them. Additional most are made with an idea about being serviceable in mind.

Lots of the smaller class D amps are so cheap, nearly nobody professional tries to repair them. Their boards are being made with fast and cheap production in mind. As a tech without SMD solder station, practice with it and maybe even a reflow oven you have a problem.

All that being said, I just would pick a good manufacturer with a good reputation and hope for the best. The preamp stage of my Warwick BC150 is pure class A, but the power amp is a class D and it's a very clear and HiFi-esque combo-amp. Nowadays you can build very good class D amps.

 

[crguti]

I would worry more to get a used tube amp

 

[dbase]

I traded in my first class D amp of 3 months at Sam Ash (won't mention the name) about a year ago... It's still in the used section for sale. Can't say that for my Mesa WD800. We are joined at the hip.

 

[jmarcus2]

Got a Mesa WD800 last year after my GKMB500 began misbehaving. VERY happy. However, I do keep an old school GK1001RB as a backup (cranking 15+ years and been to a tech only once).

 

[S-Bigbottom]

nearly nobody professional tries to repair them.
As a tech without SMD solder station, practice with it and maybe even a reflow oven you have a problem.

That is the "Tech's" problem they do not want to move forward with the times.

Saying this is the same as an Auto Mechanic that refuses to get an OBD II scanner or any other more advance diagnosing tools that are used to properly diagnose and repair cars since the late 90's because, "All I need to fix a 1967 Dodge is a socket set and some open box wrenches."
While every other Shop and Dealership in town are using the more advance tools and techniques with great success, repairing old and new cars the like.

Why do Amp Techs seem to think technology stopped in the 70's and for some the 90's?

 

[dbase]

Got a Mesa WD800 last year after my GKMB500 began misbehaving. VERY happy. However, I do keep an old school GK1001RB as a backup (cranking 15+ years and been to a tech only once).

My backup is a Hartke LH500 I bought new in 2008.

 

[agedhorse]

I repair all the class D amps I have ever designed, and have no trouble doing so. Same goes for the tech I have trained.

 

[Alex_H]

That is the "Tech's" problem they do not want to move forward with the times.

Saying this is the same as an Auto Mechanic that refuses to get an OBD II scanner or any other more advance diagnosing tools that are used to properly diagnose and repair cars since the late 90's because, "All I need to fix a 1967 Dodge is a socket set and some open box wrenches."[...]

That is true, but even now, there are Auto Mechanics specializing in oldtimers. There is old stuff around, nearly nobody can repair and those who do, can demand a fortune.

I repair all the class D amps I have ever designed, and have no trouble doing so. Same goes for the tech I have trained.

Well, I guess you have the advantage having the amps designed to be serviceable.

But just look at the PCB of this TC electronic BAM200

It cost around 130€ new! I don't say it can't be repaired, but finding a tech willing to repair such an amp for less then 130$ is not that easy. And it has to be less then 130€ as one would otherwise buy that thing new.

 

[agedhorse]

That is true, but even now, there are Auto Mechanics specializing in oldtimers. There is old stuff around, nearly nobody can repair and those who do, can demand a fortune.



Well, I guess you have the advantage having the amps designed to be serviceable.

But just look at the PCB of this TC electronic BAM200
View attachment 3653166
It cost around 130€ new! I don't say it can't be repaired, but finding a tech willing to repair such an amp for less then 130$ is not that easy. And it has to be less then 130€ as one would otherwise buy that thing new.

When you are talking about an inexpensive product, it often makes no economic sense to repair it when the cost of repair exceeds the value of the product when new. That's different than it "can't" be repaired.

I have always designed products for the higher end of the market, where it clearly makes economic sense to repair provided the skill set and education of the tech is high enough to do so. The products are also designed to be easily serviced by someone with appropriate skills. Unfortunately, this is becoming less and less common.