2. amps-preamps
  3. 126830-80196

Class D Audio Brand does not honor warranty---AVOID!!

About a year and a half ago, I purchased a budget two channel class d amp from the internet company with the same name, "Class D Audio", and wanted to warn others of my bad experience. 

After about year of using the amp, I started to get static and other nasty sounds coming from my speakers. After checking and confirming that is was the amp and not any other components, I sent it back for repair under warranty. The owner, Tom, was my contact person, as well as the person that checked it out.

Tom said he found nothing wrong with it after thoroughly looking it over and assured me it was fine. After about three weeks he returned it, but it wasn't fixed. In fact, it was probably worse. After again checking all my equipment out, I was certain that the amp was defective.

I contacted Tom about the problem, asking for some guidance about what to do next, but he initially didn't return my emails. After over two weeks he finally emailed me and again insisted that the amp checked out fine. 
I said that I wanted to send it back, but Tom again took a long time to get back. In fact I had to send him several emails. When he did, he said he had a family problem, and that he was having a difficult time returning emails. I told Tom I was sorry for his troubles and to take a LITTLE TIME if he needed it, but emphasized that I needed this fixed asap. (It had been months now since it was fully functional.)

That was the last I heard from Tom. I emailed him a couple of times, with no response, so I've given up. He stated that the warranty is three years, but he he avoids customers like the plague if they have any problems.

His website is still up, so I don't think he's out of business.
Anyone have any idea what's going on,or had a similar experience?
This guy is a deadbeat as far as I'm concerned.


jonasandezekiel
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,601 posts
 
What is the warranty on teh product?

That should be honored without question else I would think its a legal issue that gives you leverage.

If not under warranty, there is still such a thing as good customer service, offering advice, answering questions, even going beyond the norm and replacing. Good companies take care of their customers.

This is a line I have followed and  I might consider down the road at some point so I am very interested how it works out. I avoid companies that demonstrate poor customer service.
jea48
4,617 posts
 

jonasandezekiel,

Do you have a friend or relative that lives in an area other than yours that you could take the amp to and try it out? Outside your neighborhood.

The amp maybe picking up some interference being generated by something in your home that does not affect your other amps. Are the other amps Class D amps?


How well do the power supplies of Class D amps do in rejecting AC noise on the power mains?


mapman's avatar
mapman
22,601 posts
 
That's a very good point.

Another test might be to try the amp in different physical locations and see if any difference.    Also see if fiddling with IC location going in makes any difference.

Class D amps can themselves be source of considerable noise if not done well.   It more a problem with older deigns than new but certainly a possibility.

Also are your ICs shielded?  That could easily make a difference as well.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Folks, 
another amp doesn't as mentioned by OP.
It's very simple equation: Mr A can do job and Mr B can't. Who is to blame?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,601 posts
 
czar,

Its still the amp to blame if more susceptible to noise issues. Just saying that its not unheard of for some Class D architecture switching amps to be the source of noise. It happens. These amps switch at very high frequency. Noise suppression is part of the design. Its not an issue I find with newer better designs (which are perhaps the quietest overall of any I have heard over the years) but can be with older lesser ones perhaps even if operating "properly". If that’s the case there are ways to determine it and possibly address as well as I outlined above. If it turns out to be par for the course and cannot be addressed, then time for a different Class D or other amp I would say.

If the vendor is not being helpful in any way to address noise issues might be time to look elsewhere.

I've had excellent success overall including with noise with both my Bel Canto Class D amps, both older ref1000m monoblocks and newer C5i integrated and can easily recommend Bel Canto, though these cost a bit more.    Class D brand/company amps are perhaps lowest cost overall of any popular in these parts.   Dealing with noise issues might well be part of the deal with them.  But have not heard or used them so do not know for sure.
More to discover