I feel like amplifiers that get into the five and six digit range especially, should be covered by a warranty that’s longer than that of a vehicle. One of the brands that really stands out who put their money where their mouth is, is Bryston. A 20-year warranty that is transferable speaks volumes about how a manufacturer stands behind their product. I have owned and still own a number of Pass Labs amplifiers and can only comment on what I’ve owned. I have never had an issue with my x-600 monos or my X150.5. Ever. The D,Ag products are certainly one of the most beautiful looking amplifiers I’ve ever seen in my life, especially since I am a meter guy. I cannot say that I have yet auditioned their new amplifiers but I did just buy a house out in Arizona and would love to go check them out. DS
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No issues with my D'Ag gear, or prior versions. But agree with the car analogy; Ferraris and Astons still need attention, things can happen (I've had very infrequent issues with some other pricey audio stuff and I don't automatically disown the manufacturer), and owner error can be hard to anticipate/prevent. I visited D'Ag outside Scottsdale last year, and they were terrific, gracious hosts for a nobody like me.
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I have a Progression integrated amp and is has performed flawlessly for the two years I have owned it. Before buying, I borrowed it from the dealer to compare it with my Pass Labs INT-150, and the difference was obvious to everyone that listened to it. You can't "unhear" just how much an improvement there was in SQ, so I bought it. Glad I did.
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If it’s electric, it will have issues, if it’s a Ferrari, power amp,
things fail. Inevitable
somemhould get longer life than others.
enjoy!
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I have no firsthand experience with the brand, so I can't speak from experience. However, there is a YouTuber I follow whose channel is devoted to ultra high-end audio (Wilson, Magico, Gryphon, Boulder, Pass, etc.), and the members-only section of his website includes a video in which he discusses brands that have a reputation for reliability issues. I would recommend checking it out. The channel is Jay's Audio Lab. By the way, you would think that any insanely expensive audio gear would last a decade or more without issue. That's what I thought too. Two equipment failures and Jay's video changed my mind.
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Can't speak to the newer gear by Dan, but I did have a Krell KSA 50 MK I that was very reliable. Also great sounding. As for why Dan started D'agostino Audio, I remember reading an article about Dan and his then wife, Rhondi partnering with some other people from Madrigal. They became annoyed that their chief engineer was fired by some of the new partners and voiced their disapproval. As a result, when Dan and Rhondi came to work the next day, they found the locks to their office changed.
So began the legal battle between the D'agostinos and the Madrigal people.
Ultimately, Dan decided to start D'agostino Audio. His gear is really audio jewellery for the well heeled and from what I have read quite good sounding.
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I have had a Progression Integrated Amp in my primary system for about a year. I have had no issues or problems at all. I recently attended an event where there was a rep from D’Agostino, DCS and Wilson. The D’Agostino rep gave me his card as a contact should I ever have a question or issue. That may be just good PR but it made me feel more confident that they would stand behind their product.
I imagine it would be helpful to purchase any high end gear through a dealer that has a good working relationship with the manufacturer. In my case, I have purchased all my equipment through Audio Concepts in Dallas who sells all the equipment t I mentioned above
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At the prices the really high end equipment manufacturers charge, those products should not only sound great but do so for a long time w/ virtually no reliability issues!
For myself, I judge whether to buy audio equipment or actually almost anything of at least decent quality based not only on performance but long term reliability vs the cost which then for me defines it’s ultimate “value”.
I think todays modern speakers have a good chance of lasting a long time w/ better quality drivers & crossovers than in the past but I’m not so sure about today’s complicated electronics. That remains to be seen.
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Another good brand with few problems is the Gryphon amps.
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The Dagastino integrated amps have some issues. If you want bullet proof in this class talk to GTT Audio and get an Audionet amp.
I also had a lot of good fortune with Mola Mola. I also think the new Dagastino stuff is too colored. It’s not neutral. That’s why a lot of Wilson guys like it since older Wilson was analytical. New Alexia-V and Alexx-V are perfect though.
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It's highly unlikely D'Agostino has maintained it's level of perceived "ulra fi" with shoddy with reliability and customer service.
That said, unless you're buying from a private seller, a legit dealer is the way to go.
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I also wasn't aware that they were originally Krell?
Dan owned Krell, I think, sold it, became unhappy with the direction of Krell and started D'Agostino. They have always been two separate companies.
I had the budget D'Agostino amp, the Classic. It worked fine for the guy who sold it to me, worked fine for me driving my Martin Logans, never so much as a hiccup, and I haven't heard of any problems from the guy I sold it to. That's all I can tell you about the brand's reliability.
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the question that keeps me up at night too: when will it break :)
Seriously, your best bet may be to ask the owners who put them up for sale. I see them on usaudiomart, ebay and here.
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I've noticed a few post that start out as 'reliability of' recently there is one on a Rogue. I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who encounters problems with a 40,000 Dan D'Agonstino anything. From what I understand they're some of the best gear in the world, They'd have to stand behind their name. I also wasn't aware that they were originally Krell?
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