Just a comment on the topic rather than on any brand here...
Nothing is ever going to be 100% reliable, the cost of trying to achieve this would be prohibitive to all but the richest of players. Most quality manufacturers strive to get the highest reliability for a cost that is "reasonable" for their target player. Some have done a better job of this than others, but I'm sure the best of intentions was there with everybody.
Regarding the technology, SMPS and Class D are not very forgiving of poor engineering choices, implimentation that exposes it's soft white underbelly, applications that make assumptions that are not accurate, and design/fabrication choices that are not "real world" robust. It is critical that all of the "loose ends" be adequately addressed prior to the acceptance of a design into manufacturing. Again, some have done a better job of this than others, but I'm sure the best of intentions was there with everybody.
Regarding specifically Will's and Jimmy's comments, we didn't take the SMPS/class D transition lightly. I came from the pro audio world where I had been involved with the development of some touring speaker products that used the same technology that we adapted to the Shuttle & Streamliner products, technology with a 10 year track record in the touring industry where many of these specific issues and details had already been successfully worked out. Others have used the same technology but with varying degrees of success. Why? Because the devil's in the details, but again, I'm sure the best of intentions was there with everybody.
It's not the technology, it's the specific applications and implimentations of the technology that defines the performance and reliability.
Truss rod extremely tight will not loosen - ideas?
