Reliability - what’s your experience been?

In 40 plus years I only had one item fail. It was a used Plinius SA250 power amp. The dealer who sold it called Plinius. Even though the amp was long out of warranty, Plinius had it serviced and repaired locally. I eventually sold the amp for twice what I paid for it. It was a behemoth 125 pound beast. But never once had a product fail again. Counting my blessings!

My first quality component,.a Creek integrated, promptly went down entirely due to a faulty headphone output. Repair handled smoothly under warranty with a domestic shop. Very pleased with that service and the unit has been rock solid ever since.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Creek amp or other UK gear, but likely from a US based authorized dealer for piece of mind.

I've got a bunch of stuff here that needs repairing, most of it tube.

My worst experience was lending a local audio club member a pair of beautiful Cary Audio V12R monoblocks and having them returned to me with one side not working. It needed a new power TX - $900 plus shipping. Apparently, even though the tubes were well used, he decided to set the amps up in his basement system and leave them running overnight to 'warm them up'. Some spurious popping noises were heard but the amps were not turned off.

Always pains me to think back to being on the receiving end of someone's foolishness.

owned at least 7 Cary amps/preamps, never had an issue (still have the PH 302 mk II phono pre which is outstanding - sent products back for upgrades, not repairs, and have always received excellent service 

had a Sonographe TT in the 80’s which failed, other than that no issues aside from tubes wearing out