How reliable is PS audio equipment?


I know PS audio equipment gets wonderful reviews, however, how reliable are they?

I hear on other sites that owners constantly complain about sending their equipment back for repairs.

Also, I recently heard from PS audio that their BHK preamp is only good for 20 years due to the design.

Anyone have any opinion on this?

onehorsepony

I have lots of PS gear now, and have had various PS gear for 35 years...never a single problem...and if I have questions it's always very easy to actually talk to someone...

I did have problems with the "card" that accepted the internet input on my DirectStream Mark 1 DAC.  It gave me fits. I complained to them (politely) and was given a retail trade-and a discount on a new DirectStream II and and AirLens.  Not only have they been a trouble free performer, the output quality is really excellent. They punch WAY above their price point IMO.  Someday I'll swing for the fences and get a WADAX or maybe a Playback Designs unit but for now and for the foreseeable future I'm thrilled with my PS Audio DAC and streamer. 

@yesiam_a_pirate

If you want less distortion and a more realistic sound experience replace them cheap Edcor XS4400 audio transformers with custom nickel transformers and replace the cheap IEC AC inlet.  Major improvement in sound quality.

I'm not sure about longevity but I assume they last as long as other gear. They have an outstanding service department.

I have bought several components from PSA but I will never do business with them again due an extremely dissappointing experience with their CD transport.

I bought a Perfect Wave Transport (the original CD only version) around 2019. I found out after I bought it that the unit I purchased was "B Stock" and came with a diminished warranty. Note - buyer beware. I was not told by the dealer that this was anything other than a brand new unit.

I used the transport regularly but not excessively. It spun about 10 discs per week. Within less than a year (about 10 months I think) the CD drive began acting up. It wouldn't open or eject sometimes. I contacted PSA and they offered to replace the drive. The new drive lasted about a year and by then the unit was out of warranty. I paid about $500 to have the second drive installed. Then, this drive failed within less than a year.

When the third drive failed I began researching the issue and found out that PSA put in a cheapo computer grade CD drive that costs about $15. This is in a transport that retails for $4000! I found out that I could replace the drive myself but I needed some special all-thread screws that PSA could provide. I called them and they refused to sell me the screws and they would not even tell me the specs so I could find them myself. I now owned a $4000 boat anchor.     

A reputedly high end audio company that puts a $15 computer drive into a $4000 transport cannot be trusted IMO. It showed me that PSA will not only put in the cheapest parts they can find, they will even scrimp on the most critical components in their gear. 

Goodbye, PS Audio. Hope you have a nice life.