Break-in of a Class D amp?


I'll spare everyone the "brand tribe" debate, and keep my question/details generic.

I recently had to have my 2ch ClassD amp "serviced" by the manufacturer.  Yes, it's an ICEPower derived unit.  I'd been SUPER happy with it for well over 18 months, until one morning when I heard a buzzing coming from inside the amp itself.  I took a video, poked the manufacturer, and they voluntarily opted to fix it for me.

Fast forward a week, and the amp is back in my stack.  But something is amiss. 

I can tell they wholesale replaced the entire ICE module, as the "power up" delay from standby is "different" than before, and it seems to exhibit less overall "gain" than prior to repair.

But the most disturbing thing, and one that literally smacked me in the face... was the lack of high frequency authority.  While there is a soundstage, and lows are not an issue... it's missing all the "presence" and "life" in the top end.  I have tracks that I can play that elicit EMOTION when I queue them.  All the detail and fidelity is like, muted.

The previous board had hundreds of hours of time to burn in, and boy I exercised it.  Is this what I'm now encountering?  Or has anyone out there experienced this situation?  

I would normally just knuckle down and "grind out" hours of "work" for the amp... and not come here asking for advice... but the fidelity difference is so striking... that I can't get over it.

Thoughts?
rabbottmke

Showing 1 response by oldhvymec

The first thing I would do is contact the repair person and ask if they replaces the module with the same type? With a different startup delay and sound, I'd be asking a question or two.. You have nothing to loose and maybe a discount on a second module.  If they don't sound or work the same way, that's really not in the best interest of ANY stereo system.

It's not fixed... BUT it will work.. I've had to FIX a lot of those repairs in my life. We have a different term for it though.. It's called 1/2 A$$ed.
BUT you have a working system making sound. Certainly better off than you were AND maybe the guy didn't know there would be a difference.

I don't think there was anything malicious, just uninformed.. AND he sure can't fix what he doesn't know about, AY?

Those Blue meters can be spendy. I've owned the MC601s and 1.2s.

My back is hurting thinking about them.. I have vintage Mac gear.. Valve gear.. They are heavy too.. Not Class Ds, where you have to ADD weight.. LOL