TC Electronics’ Service

[Geri O]

I found a small TC combo for a very good price locally and I thought about getting it, but I’ve decided against it. First, I’ve already spent way more than I planned to this year on gear. Second, I’m suspect of TC Electronics’ ability to service their amplifiers in a timely manner.

My former and part-time job uses 26 Lab Gruppen amplifiers, which are awesome power amps. They are still in service after 19 years, with only 3 units needing service in all that time. But getting a service rep on the phone or email for a return authorization was a nightmare, usually a week-long exercise. For that reason, I never considered owning a TC bass amp. Well, until now, and for a few minutes, anyway.

Has anyone had a service experience with TC that they can share, good, bad, or otherwise?

Understand, I realize that all manufacturers
will have a bad unit here and there. It’s how that problem is handled that makes the difference.

Thanx.

 

[lug]

Why do you suspect that? Here's a map of authorized TC service centers in the US.
Service Center location

 

[bassdude51]

After a warranty expires, for many D amps, it's usually cheaper to just pitch it and buy another. Stuff is not made to be fixed.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Check out the TC RH450 thread for your answer....yah, it's a long one!
Fishheadjoe

 

[agedhorse]

After a warranty expires, for many D amps, it's usually cheaper to just pitch it and buy another. Stuff is not made to be fixed.

Respectfully, you are way off base here.

1. All Lab Gruppen amps that I am aware of are not class D, they are class "TD" which is their trademark for a PWM modulated power supply and a linear class AB power amp.

2. Lab Gruppen amps are absolutely repairable, and given their costs, it absolutely makes sense.

3. As far as class D bass amps, many are in fact repairable, even if it means replacing the class D output section or entire power module (if integrated).

 

[Geri O]

Respectfully, you are way off base here.

1. All Lab Gruppen amps that I am aware of are not class D, they are class "TD" which is their trademark for a PWM modulated power supply and a linear class AB power amp.

2. Lab Gruppen amps are absolutely repairable, and given their costs, it absolutely makes sense.

3. As far as class D bass amps, many are in fact repairable, even if it means replacing the class D output section or entire power module (if integrated).

Absolutely.

Our issues were with getting the proper RA and paperwork in place to ship the to the service center from TC (way before Music Group or Tribe, whatever it is). Once that was taken care of, getting the amp shipped out, repaired, and back into our hands was a breeze. And the two non-warranty repairs were done pretty reasonable.

 

[AudioTaper]

My 2 cents... talk to someone at one of their service centers and get information regarding how long it takes to get parts in from TC. Years ago I worked in a repair shop, one of warranty repair brands was Mackie. A customer had brought in a M1400 under warranty. Mackie had to ship out the module, but it took 17 months to arrive. Yes, 17 months! It was on backorder forever then they had every excuse in the book including that the truck carrying it was involved in a serious wreck and it was damaged. So it was on backorder again... the customer was mad but patient. He had backups to use. When it finally arrived he took it from our service counter straight to the sales counter and traded it in on a different brand.

 

[agedhorse]

Why not simply repair the Mackie 1400 at the component level under warranty? They were not difficult amps to repair. They were actually quite a good design for the era.

 

[AudioTaper]

That's the first thing I said. Mackie would not cover it, they insisted that the module would be replaced and they would only reimburse the labor for that. The customer was super awesome about the entire thing, and we (the store) would have helped him out if he was in a bind.

 

[drpepper]

Respectfully, you are way off base here.

1. All Lab Gruppen amps that I am aware of are not class D, they are class "TD" which is their trademark for a PWM modulated power supply and a linear class AB power amp.

2. Lab Gruppen amps are absolutely repairable, and given their costs, it absolutely makes sense.

3. As far as class D bass amps, many are in fact repairable, even if it means replacing the class D output section or entire power module (if integrated).

I didn’t take @bassdude51 ’s comments to be referring to Lab Gruppen amps (or truly referring specifically to any class D amp or all class D amps), rather making the point that in the context of (used) amps such as the TCE combos mentioned by the op, where the market value is often in the sub-$200 range, non-warranty repair in the case of a failure is not typically going to be a practical option. I agree with that.

Lab Gruppen was only raised by the op because he gave the “nightmare” experienced getting Lab Gruppen amps repaired as the basis for deciding against owning any TCE bass amp and a TCE combo he momentarily considered, despite finding it at a “very good price.” I took the reference to “class D” to be unfortunate but common shorthand for the group of amps (lower cost amps of recent years) that certainly does not include all class D amps but is generally or possibly completely made up of class D amps.

 

[agedhorse]

Many less expensive (but still quality) amps are still repairable. Of course "it depends" but most are no problem.

The low quality, inexpensive amp I will concede are probably more expensive to repair than just replace.

 

[AudioTaper]

Agreed, Agedhorse. It's one of the big reasons I don't miss consumer audio repair.