Which amps cannot be repaired locally?

First any amp can be repaired by local tech if one isn't dumb and willing to work adn troubleshoot the unit.

Check if thechies are certain about this part and try to find it through digikey, mouser or newark. Also that part has likely a manufacturer's name and one can share parameters of this chip with you so you can find similar on major electronic parts dealers. If found IC of a different brand, it will have different part number, but same functions. You'll need to do the homework that local techies are unwilling to do. A controller board and Controller Board IC are two different entities. One you'd want to replace board as a whole thing(The American Way) and another you specifically diagnose in details which part has failed. You should verify that they've diagnosed IC in particular on the Controller Board and find one that matches parameters of the failed one. IC chips go in and out of production frequent just like computers so what was placed there 2 years ago may not be in production anymore.

And finally, there are certain legal procedures against smart S-holes similar to Niles. You can claim your money back for the unit they refuse to provide parts after a couple of years of usage. I betcha you didn't sign any papers that you're mandatory supposed to bring unit to only their own repair facility. They will probably get around much cheaper giving you refund than hiring a councelor at your local area.

There are other companies that function that way. The most "famous/infamous" is Levinson. Or worse; the U.S. importer of Sonus Faber won't even repair their speakers unless you can prove it was purchased from authorized U.S. retailer.

For a moment I was thinking to initiate the discussion call "Ripoff Schema Champions" and thinking of it now. Check on that later.

This is america guys, what few consumer laws there are ,are not enforced.

Schubert is correct. I found Spectral to be downright rude when I tried to service one of their preamps. It had a shorted transistor in it. I was basically told if I worked on it, they would be able to tell, and would never work on the unit again.

Marakanetz, the tech guy I hired seems pretty capable and he did replace some parts and spent a lot of time working on it and looking for parts. Unfortunately, the key integrated circuits on the controller board have no part numbers. He indicated they were rubbed off. He told me the board was made in China so obfuscation must be part of the contract with Niles.

So now I know not to buy Niles, Spectral, Levinson or Sonus Faber. Thanks for the feedback. Keep it coming.

P.S. "Ripoff Schema Champions" -- great idea.

No one in my area (denver included) wants to work on Classe amps. Gotta send it back to classe if I ever have an issue, and shipping on heavy amps to somewhere outside the country ain't cheap. I think musical fidelity is a pain to get fixed too. I'm definately taking how easy it is to get something warrantied or fixed into consideration on ALL of my future audio purchases.

If you can purchase a new unit(with return policy) and look under the box to ID the chip inside, you can find it for your unit. Being a techie myself, I'd swap the boards and return unit back as not working. Here you find dealer that have a return shipping policy for all your needs and deeds.
http://www.cudakitchen.com/shipping.php

For them manufacturers it would only take a few bucks to swap while for you is $650+shipping.

You can also follow the link bellow:
[url]https://sites.google.com/site/sonylcdrptvproblems/small-claims-lawsuits[/url] to go legal way.

Thanks Marakanetz. Sorry for the delay. Good ideas.

B_limo, sounds like anything super heavy is a pain to repair.

On the bright side, when I had trouble with my Olympia amp a few years ago (from PBN), the owner flew out from San Diego to visit me in Charlotte and repaired the unit at my home. I'm still blown away by that. I was a pretty good customer and that may have helped, but it's nice to see some character out there.