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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
tlittlefield
29 posts
 

Should last much longer than that...

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,717 posts
 

For the past two months, my beloved Esoteric SACD player has problems with the drawer opening.  The thought of sending it across the country to TAP Electronics for repair scares the heck out of me.  I know it’s probably just a belt but I really don’t think a local repair guy could fix it.  There is also the cost of shipping this 65 pound  player which comes triple boxed. I still have all the packaging.  I am willing to bet when all is said and done it will be at least 800 to a grand to fix.   I bought the player new in 2012 but the build date is 2008.  It uses the Burr Brown pcm 1704 or is it 1702 R-R ladder dac which absolutely love.   Not sure what to do at this point and I have no interest in streaming services.  If I buy another Esoteric player, the prices are almost out of reach.  If I go used Esoteric, who knows how long it will last?  I already own 2 Sony music servers but the sound of that player is pure magic and totally engages me.  If I do have it fixed, who knows how much longer the laser will last.   

corelli
1,169 posts
 

---If you purchase a CD player and you love it, purchase a new traverse unit immediately.  You will only find replacements stocked for a very finite amount of time.

--For the love of Pete,  stereo5, open up the CD player and replace the belt.  Google is your friend.  It's an easy fix!

earthbound
295 posts
 

I had a Rotel amp and preamp, a Velodyne sub and B&W speakers last 23 years without a single repair to any of the components. So, I expect 23 years out of my current system. Fingers crossed!

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,885 posts
 

A bad tube can cause other components to fail. I had a a rogue st100 amp where a bad tube took out a resistor and some other parts. Luckily I’m about an hour away from Rogue and was able to drop it off. It was fixed promptly. 
CD Transports can fail. I had an ARC CD3 Mk2 that stopped reading discs. ARC fixed it. It happens. 5 years is early though. 
As to German cars. I love BMWs but they gradually start acting up after 5 years. I traded in a 5 recently when it began showing signs of trouble. Amazing performance though. The 5 years of pure joy is worth it. At least to me. 

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