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

[S-Bigbottom]

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.

Yes, but...
Where I was going is that Class D is and will be around, it is the future as well as now and if Amp Repair Techs are not willing to get with it they are missing a market that is now and soon will be much more common.

Like a New Car Dealership, they fix and service a lot more cars from the 2000's with computers in them than a Classic Car shop. Yes, older stuff will still need servicing but the newer computerized cars there is a greater number of them in driveways than older models. If they decided not to do anything newer (like Class D) than the 90's they are missing a huge market.

What if all of the Auto Mechanics, those in the Communications Field, or Tax Accountants for the last 20 years have said, "The new stuff is too hard." and never advanced like (some) Amp Techs are?

They just need to take a Continuing Education Class like most that are in a specialized field do.
Medical Professionals, Aviation Repair, Electricians, Plumbers, Accountants, City Public Workers and many others do.
Everything and everyone must advance to stay relevant. It is easier than fighting it.

 

[Passinwind]

[QUOTE="S-Bigbottom, post: 23451277, member: 269793"
Everything and everyone must advance to stay relevant. It is easier than fighting it.[/QUOTE]

Yep. Learning new tricks is the ticket for sure. I used to cuss SMD work, but even with 66 year old eyes I can hack enough to do what I need to by now. And for me at least, the advantages outweigh the downsides by a wide margin when it comes to prototyping stuff.

 

[Ric Vice]

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!

That's the thing about some of the newer amplifiers. They are sold at such a low price point, that fixing one cost more than replacing it. You're also dealing with a company in Denmark for parts, so export duties for boards can rack up, unless
GC has them on hand, which I doubt they do. Sending it back to Denmark may be an option but by the time you pay the shipping both ways you're probably better off getting a new one. Truthfully, very few amplifiers that I know of are built
here, Aguillar, Mesa is and GK definitely are. After 7-8 years you may have reached the end of the components lifetime, but it's more likely that something just failed as things do from time to time, no need to bail on Class D amps I've had two
for nearly 30 years and their doin' just fine.

 

[agedhorse]

The alternative to the cheaper products is for them to charge more and then subsidize the cost of repair...