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Reliability

Is reliability a factor when you buy equipment? The satisfaction factor of a piece of equipment which is rated "A" or whatever else may signify the cat's whiskers falls to zero when it has to be packed up and sent across town or, more than likely and worse yet, across the country for service. Is reliability just for Consumer Reports type people? Moreover, with all the dubious information about on the performance and sound of equipment, how can one know if negative comments on a piece of equipment are serious. When equipment looks like it's built like a tank, can we conclude it's actually dependable short term and for the long haul?
pbb
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I have had great service from both Conrad Johnson and Onkyo USA for warranty repairs. They also were very helpful by phone and E-Mail. Reliability is only an issue with me if what I hear on the street is bad.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Very important...that's why I bought a Technics 1200 TT vs one of those 'entry level high end' belt drives. Reliability is a major factor in my purchases. I hate stuff breaking on me.
inscrutable
313 posts
 
Is this really all that much of an issue? In almost 25 years of ownership I've had one "defect" (a speaker selector switch LONG out of warranty) and the normal belt/cartridge replacements (including after one of the cats attacked a spinning record). I've admittedly been all SS and don't buy/sell a ton of stuff, but my experience has been virtually problem free, to the extent I don't even think about a reliability record. Am I the lucky exception?
sal
31 posts
 
To me, reliability is EXTREMELY important. I have $35,000 in McIntosh components and Sonus Faber speakers. I've owned Mac since 1984. I've had 1 problem with a component in all this time, and the company was very responsive in repairing it. I've been on the phone with techs from Mac about audio issues and they have always been very helpful to me.Also, when I spend good amounts of money for a component I expect it to function, without a problem, for a long time.
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