Lifespan of digital amps

#8
The life span of an electrical product (that can be repaired in the event of a failed component) is limited by the availability of replacement parts.

In my over forty years in the electronics industry I have seen products become obsolete when solid state integrated circuit devices, (Referred to as "chips" or "ICs") and also devices such as FETs, and IGBTs are no longer available.
 
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#10
Funny you should ask his, as it's something that a couple of us engineering types were discussing over lunch.

I can give a few data points based on products I have intimate familiarity with...

Genz Benz: Though the company no longer sell amps of any kind, I am still contracted to handle service on all of the amps. This includes class D amps that go back 10 years, and are as repairable today as the day they were built. I don't expect this to change in the foreseeable future either.

Mesa Boogie: While all class D amps are current products and will continue to be, the company provides a 5 year transferable warranty and has a history of servicing every product they have built over their 40 year history. I do not expect any changes in this as well.

I think the real question to ask (regardless of amp class) is how committed the company is to supporting their product over the long haul? Yes, I know there are companies that simply won't support products over 5 (or so) years old, but with the better companies I think you will find approach rare.
 
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#13
Just my 2¢. If there is going to be more issues with the latest stuff compared to the classics, it will be due to the use of fragile mechanical components. Plastic shaft pots, plastic jacks, poorly mounted jacks and pots and ribbon cable connectors not designed for harsh environments. That being said, the electronics are probably just as reliable as ever.
 
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#17
Listen, old amps were super easy to repair but repairing could be very expensive.
Big transformers, tubes, big transistors and capacitors.

Now amps are following the high-tech way, not easy to repair but not so expensive to replace mains parts like boards.

Plus I have a Genz Benz shuttle 6.0 i bought used for 500€, i can't remember when i bought it but it's been years. Still using it on a daily basis.
Of course it's a matter of building quality and control.
On the other way, a GK RB1001 MKII burned 2 months after buying it new.
I had a Mesa Bass400+ that burned the main transformer and power tubes.... 400€ for repairing it.
 
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#20
spankdaplank said:
Just my 2¢. If there is going to be more issues with the latest stuff compared to the classics, it will be due to the use of fragile mechanical components. Plastic shaft pots, plastic jacks, poorly mounted jacks and pots and ribbon cable connectors not designed for harsh environments. That being said, the electronics are probably just as reliable as ever.
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^^^This I think, mechanical stuff is lighter, which the market demands. They might not need handled with kid gloves, but you just can't kick it down the stairs when you have too much to carry. As they can, will and are becoming available with more digital and programmable stuff, you'll see LCD/LED displays that are fragile and not a cheap fix when broken. Buy better brands for better mechanical design, then treat it nice and/or get a travel case. Light weight and strong takes money.

Besides the mechanical changes, RTFM! Things have changed inside.
 
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