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Class D Audio Brand does not honor warranty---AVOID!!

About a year and a half ago, I purchased a budget two channel class d amp from the internet company with the same name, "Class D Audio", and wanted to warn others of my bad experience. 

After about year of using the amp, I started to get static and other nasty sounds coming from my speakers. After checking and confirming that is was the amp and not any other components, I sent it back for repair under warranty. The owner, Tom, was my contact person, as well as the person that checked it out.

Tom said he found nothing wrong with it after thoroughly looking it over and assured me it was fine. After about three weeks he returned it, but it wasn't fixed. In fact, it was probably worse. After again checking all my equipment out, I was certain that the amp was defective.

I contacted Tom about the problem, asking for some guidance about what to do next, but he initially didn't return my emails. After over two weeks he finally emailed me and again insisted that the amp checked out fine. 
I said that I wanted to send it back, but Tom again took a long time to get back. In fact I had to send him several emails. When he did, he said he had a family problem, and that he was having a difficult time returning emails. I told Tom I was sorry for his troubles and to take a LITTLE TIME if he needed it, but emphasized that I needed this fixed asap. (It had been months now since it was fully functional.)

That was the last I heard from Tom. I emailed him a couple of times, with no response, so I've given up. He stated that the warranty is three years, but he he avoids customers like the plague if they have any problems.

His website is still up, so I don't think he's out of business.
Anyone have any idea what's going on,or had a similar experience?
This guy is a deadbeat as far as I'm concerned.


jonasandezekiel

Showing 8 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
Can you relate how you know the problem is the amp?  Have you tried swapping in a  different amp in to determine that the problem was in fact the amp?  

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
What is the warranty on teh product?

That should be honored without question else I would think its a legal issue that gives you leverage.

If not under warranty, there is still such a thing as good customer service, offering advice, answering questions, even going beyond the norm and replacing. Good companies take care of their customers.

This is a line I have followed and  I might consider down the road at some point so I am very interested how it works out. I avoid companies that demonstrate poor customer service.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
That's a very good point.

Another test might be to try the amp in different physical locations and see if any difference.    Also see if fiddling with IC location going in makes any difference.

Class D amps can themselves be source of considerable noise if not done well.   It more a problem with older deigns than new but certainly a possibility.

Also are your ICs shielded?  That could easily make a difference as well.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
czar,

Its still the amp to blame if more susceptible to noise issues. Just saying that its not unheard of for some Class D architecture switching amps to be the source of noise. It happens. These amps switch at very high frequency. Noise suppression is part of the design. Its not an issue I find with newer better designs (which are perhaps the quietest overall of any I have heard over the years) but can be with older lesser ones perhaps even if operating "properly". If that’s the case there are ways to determine it and possibly address as well as I outlined above. If it turns out to be par for the course and cannot be addressed, then time for a different Class D or other amp I would say.

If the vendor is not being helpful in any way to address noise issues might be time to look elsewhere.

I've had excellent success overall including with noise with both my Bel Canto Class D amps, both older ref1000m monoblocks and newer C5i integrated and can easily recommend Bel Canto, though these cost a bit more.    Class D brand/company amps are perhaps lowest cost overall of any popular in these parts.   Dealing with noise issues might well be part of the deal with them.  But have not heard or used them so do not know for sure.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
OP if vendor says amps are working as they should, might be worth while to take up the noise issue with them specifically and ask for advice on how to best diagnose and address it. They should know their products best.

If they say its operating normally and you hear the noise, then that just means that the amp has noise issues when operating properly. They should offer to help resolve it. Maybe even let you return and offer some kind of refund if unit can no longer function at the same level as it did for you earlier. If not, then live and learn and move on I would say. Lessons learned by all. You should be able to post a suitable review to their site if they offer public reviews there. If not, then something is surely rotten in Denmark.  You might be able to take some kind of legal action but have to judge whether that has needed value for you.  It may not be worth the time and aggravation especially if the amp did not cost much.   Its a very personal decision at that point. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
Iman have have you encountered any noise issues with yours?

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
jon I had a similar problem with one of my Bel Canto ref1000m amps  that I acquired used after a bit.   Similar noise as you describe with one.   Bel Canto service was fast and reliable.   No warranty but cost to repair was nominal and all good ever since.   In my case, the foil on a part of a circuit board has started to separate.  I sent the amp to them and they replaced the board and had it back in a few weeks in perfect working order.   That's how these  things should work.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,807 posts
 
When relating impressions of various class d amps it would help to also mention what speakers were involved.  

As I mentioned earlier Clas D will distinguish itself with certain kinds of speakers whereas with others it a harder call and some they will just not shine.   Nobody is saying they will always sound best rather they up the game in terms of what is possible out of a package more people might like but only if given the chance to do what they do best. 
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