Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bonnie.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!wjh
From: wjh@bonnie.UUCP (Bill Hery)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: "Don't Buy Brand X" type of advice
Message-ID: <544@bonnie.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Aug-85 09:52:52 EDT
Article-I.D.: bonnie.544
Posted: Tue Aug 27 09:52:52 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Aug-85 08:55:56 EDT
References: <911@uscvax.UUCP> <1116@wucs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ
Lines: 30

> > Recently, JU advised us "don't get a Technics CD Player".
> > The reasons (given in merciless detail) can be summarized as a misfortune 
> > with a unit that he bought, and substantial delays in service.
> ...
> > It seems to me as a somewhat limited evidence for such harsh conclusions.
> ...
> 
> I agree.  Considering the frequency with which components built by reputable
> companies break down (without abuse :-) buying a unit on the basis of its
> probable service time is a poor way to make a choice.
> 

I think 'probable service time' is an important consideration in selecting
stereo eqiupment.  Considering the cost and lost listening time (weeks or
even months) of repairs, I would prefer to pay a premium to get high
reliability components.  The problem is knowing which are high reliability--
I know of nothing for stereo components coparable to the automobile 
frequency of repair reports that Consumer Reports publishes, and isolated
incidents like the original posting are not sufficient basis for 
evaluation.  Does anyone know of brand specific reliability data for
stereo equipment?

As an example of a highly reliable compopnent, in 1963 I bought a top
of the line H H Scott integrated tube amp, which was used regularly until 1979
(an average of several hours a day), until I decided to upgrade; it is still
used as the heart of a lightly used basement system.  In all that time, I
have not had to repair it, not even replacing a burned out tube; at 
about the 15 year mark, I replaced all the pra-eamp tubes on general 
prinipals.  The only degradation in quality I have noticed over the
years is a decrease in the S/N in the pre-amp section.