1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 196334-53619

How long should components last?

About 7 or 8 years ago I bought two tube components. A cd transport and DAC.

About $4,500 each back then so who knows how much they would cost today.

After 5 years ago they started breaking down. The transformer failed in the DAC and as the european manufacturer had discontinued the component it had to be made from scratch in Italy. Of course it took months to get it made and sent to the US where the component had to be repaired. The Dac had to be repaired twice since then. I finally said enough and bought another brand.

Same with the transport. After 5 years continuous problems.

They sounded great and certainly looked the cost. But I had the impression that they were like German luxury cars with a perfectly timed obsolescence. After which you have to buy another one or they turn into a money pit.

Unfortunate because when they worked they were wonderful.

I can't name the brand because I'm sure the thread will be removed.

Has anybody else had this problem? For such expensive components I thought they would last longer and would not turn into such a problem when they needed to be repaired. Is this normal? 

 

roxy1927
parkergetdean
1,042 posts
 

4 out 5 components in my setup are over 15 years old (some 30+). Only my CD player had to be fixed once. Nothing cost more than 2K (new). I would expect a lot more for 5K. 5K is not mid-fi, it's hifi. I rarely disagree with @ghdprentice but on this one I do. 

kodak805
90 posts
 

I have a Weiss Engineering Jason Transport that is over 15 years old with not even a laser replacement necessary in all that time.

oberoniaomnia
352 posts
 

The only failure I have had is with a $500 all-in-one including speakers Denon, over 20 years old. Amp still works, CD transport is completely borked (does not open), volume knob is janky, but works with remote. Use it for my desktop computer "system" with external new DAC. Nuthin' fancy, but keeps me company when working on my next book. No complaints.

If I want better SQ I also have a HP tube-amp and Dan Clark Ether 2 cans.

$5K components failing after <10 years, not ok, IMHO. Sell for parts, move on.

musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
313 posts
 

Goodness, I can't say as I've ever had a major failure in any of my equipment and that goes back decades! Even the California Audio Labs Aria (1987) tube CD player my father gave me as a hand me down still works perfectly and that includes the remote.

Now that I think a bit more however, I did have an ARC SP3a1 lose it's power supply, which was easily repaired. But you need to take into account they were built in 1975!

I believe what you went though, as disappointing as it was, is not the norm with most electronics. Better luck going forward!

Happy listening.

everhard
15 posts
 

Leaving out mechanical failure I don't see any electronics typically failing. Certainly not something costing thousands. 

I'd question why - possibly your electrical service could be suspect - spikes or brown outs of power can play havoc with electronics at no fault to the device. 

E.

More to discover