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Are High End Audio Products Unreliable?

I don't know if it's just my bad luck but since I've gotten back into high end audio in the past year I have purchased several components that have developed problems that I have never experienced while owning mass produced Japanese components of the 70's and 80's.
First was my Well Tempered turntable. Granted , it was old, but the design is so simple that it should be pretty bomb proof. That one got a lot better once I got everything dialed in, but what a pain in the butt just to get it there.
Second was my Lehmann Black Cube phono preamp, which developed a bad channel. Then it was the Parasound JC-3 phono preamp that was bad out of the box, but was replaced with a new one (no issues since). Next, my Cambridge Azur 840C CD player developed issues loading CDs (no other issues but this is annoying). Then I bought a Furutech GT-40 DAC that had noise when playing computer files through the USB (replaced with a new unit which works great). Next, I bought a CARY SLI-80 amp that was physically damaged out of the box but worked fine at first, but after a couple of weeks developed an issue with the remote relay and required me to send it back for repair. I got a new unit from Upscale that is working great.
I'm not a total hamfist who is hard on equipment, I swear. I'm super careful with my stuff, I run everything through power conditioners, and know how to set up equipment. I must be unlucky. Or have others had similar experiences as mine?
128x128snackeyp
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
Dunno but when paying megabucks for anything, including expensive audio gear, reliability is an important thing to consider as is availability of quality service.

Its easy to get caught up in the looks, apparent build quality, and sound, but I really prefer to go with proven reliable companies with a track record. For less expensive items, I am more willing to take more chances.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
So far most everything has worked out well. I have had very few problems over the years except with some "vintage" gear and some self inflicted wounds. It sounds like you have had a string of bad lick. OTOH this industry now is pretty small in many instances. The pieces are virtually one of a kind and hand built in small numbers. I wonder if bigger concerns would have better Quality Control and have tested things more thoroughly?
jazzbo48
2 posts
 
You may not get too many responses as many members are frequently trading back and forth to sample different components......and the last thing a members wants is to admit they had a problem or defect with something they're trying to re sell
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Few electronic manufacturers do any 'burn in' any more. The business model is to pass that on to the consumer/dealer, it is just more cost effective to do so. As most know, if an electronic product will fail, it most likely does so in the first 10 hours of use. Also, when a dealer is involved they 'eat' the out bound shipping and handling cost involved. Perhaps some dealers on the 'gon' could fill us in on failure rates.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
The Japanese designed their equipment to be problem free, mainly because, at the heyday of Japanese electronics, it was a cutthroat business. No one could afford to put out junk and survive. Today the high end business is aimed at a very few folks, most with more money than brains, so, It could be that the Boy geniuses working in their garage or the boutique makers in the mountains, are a lot better at desiging the outside than they are at designing the inside. More into magic / hype, than audio engineering. The make beautiful stuff, just not very reliable.
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