Your a grudge keeper I see.
But you have to realise that things change, a company can turn things around for better or for worst.

One also has to consider that a sample of 8 amps is really small in the grand scheme of things and not to indicative IMO.

Not to say I wouldn't feel the same in your position, however I think you might be exagerating DD's disworth.

 

Bad batch?

I know how you feel, I had the same problem with some of my suppliers (computer). Ex: We received a batch of bad toner cartridges and at first they denied that there was a prob and told us that it was the users misusing the product. They finally admit that they screw up (blaming one of their part supplier) after we told them that we will look elsewhere . That was 3 years ago.

It's still in the back of my head even if we didn't have any prob with them since, but it show how they handle problems... That's my problem, it's ok for a company to have bad batch, but be smart about it and as soon you know there's a problem, RECALL. Yes it cost money, but a thread like this one can often financially hurt more than a recall.

Also, unless you're willing to pay more to have the product rigorously tested before it leave the manufacture, this will happen with any company that try to be competitive.

If the problem persist over time (look like it in your case), then it show that they are not interested in your satisfaction and should then be avoided.

 

Have to say from my point of view, companies get one shot at my business. If the product fails, and they handle it properly, I give them the benefit of the doubt. If there's a second failure I buy elsewhere. Example; x box 360...everyone knows about the solder problem on the x box board...microsoft I thought had a good initial warranty where they would replace or repair the unit if it had the "red ring ring of death" within the first 3 years(extended from 1 year). However, upon further research, it's obvious that the units are defective at a manufacturing and design level (over heat and soldering points crack). What does MS do, give you a "re-manufactured" one that has the same problem 6-8 months later...and ofcourse deny you warranty on that(knowing fully well that the systems take about 6-18 months to develop the problem)...that's not good service. What do i do? I get a PS3 and sell all my x box stuff...unfortunately, the only way to deal with problems of this nature is with your money...spend it elsewhere!

 

What's the difference?

If I compare 2 products with the same specs, but one is cheaper than the other one, should i expect the cheaper one to fail first? I had way more failure with IBM and HP desktop than I have with Dell and they cost about the half of the other 2 with same specs...

If a company outsource the manufacturing of "their" product/QA, whatever the price you paid for the product there's always a good chance that you'll get a Lemon. The difference will be how they handle the situation and it looks like DD do it very badly.

 

Like I said....Audison.

 

Dude! How many times has common sense been thrown out in this industry! Many times before and many times in the future. I know what you're saying Defro, but I hate to say that "common sense" is starting to become a thing of relativity...much like SQ! I guess there are people out there who expect a $99.99 amp to sound/perform/and have the same reliability as a $699.99 amp.

Like we say in pro-audio realm...."There's always enough money to again, but never enough money to do it once!