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  3. 142606-137

Catastrophic Accident! What To Do!?

This actually happened during the holidays.  I'm having a hard time dealing with it.  I've owned my Music Reference RM9 amp for over 15 years.  While replacing a fuse, something I've done easily over 2 dz. times thru the yrs, The amp tipped over.  Long story short, the way the unit fell damaged/smashed most of the tubes (12 in total!).  Man, seriously, I practically feel like I've lost a member of my family!  I've been in contact with Roger Modjeski at Ram Labs and they've been 100% supportive even though I'm not the original owner.  But the dilemma is substantial, the amp can be repaired no doubt, but to transport it from S. Fl. to Ca., plus tube replacement, plus possible other repairs.  Not sure it makes dollas & sense.  The fact is I'm not the youngster I was when I 1st acquired the gear, plus being retired the money ain't what it used to be.  This accident has seriously got me considering whether I should continue with the hobby.  The gear, 1000's of records and CD's somehow, suddenly feels like a bit much.  I've been into the gear for 35+ yrs. but I've been a music-lover my entire life, I'll never stop listening....but maybe it's time to downsize?  Ram Labs has offered help in testing, and/or repairing, and even offered the alternative of selling the unit for parts.  Tremendous support!  I think I'd be able to sell it but I just can't bring myself to go down that road, not yet.  So into the 'spares' closet she goes, and since I don't have another amp, it's headphone time!  

Here's hoping y'all have a safe and incident-free New Year!
128x128chazro
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 
I agree with highway 61.  There has got to have been issues with your amp for years if you have had to replace so many fuses.  This would have indicated problems after the second one went out.  There has got to be a short somewhere that has caused this.

I think it is time to replace it.  Perhaps buy a digital amp.  I found the Parasound Halo integrated amp to be incredible.  They cost about $2,500 and reproduce a lot of detail.  Maybe take out a home equity loan and pay it off in a year or two.  This might be your chance to upgrade into something much better.

I am not sure why people are in love with tube amplifiers.  They must sound warmer.  I also cannot understand why people want to listen to vinyl either.  CD's are able to sample a lot more information which in turn produces a lot more detail.  I think it sounds much crisper in the highs.  However, everyone enjoys sound differently.
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
@larry,
Leave  the OP alone. He doesn't have the funds to go to a new amp.

Let's wish him well and hope just replacing the tubes will resurrect his amp. If it doesn't, I bet Roger will be able to help him.
Bob
brucenewengland
20 posts
 
Chazro, 

Repositioning the fuse holder may have corrected problems with accessibility, but I doubt that would correct the issue of the fuse actually blowing.

it’s still not clear if the many fuse replacements are with this amp, or with all of your gear combined.

If it’s mostly the amp, then that indicates a problem.

Possibly the replacement is of the wrong rating (amperage; if you’re just replacing what was in there, then there’s a chance that the previous owner used a undersized fuse and you are repeating his mistake), or the wrong type (it may require a slow blow).

If most of the replacements were on that amp, and the correct replacements were used, then the amp has a problem and should be reviewed by someone that’s competent and preferably knowledgeable about that particular amp. In that case I’d say that it probably should be shipped back Ram Labs.

PS: Don’t beat yourself up too badly, learn the lesson and move on. Happiness is a choice, how do you want to spend the time you have left?

Best,
Bruce.
ganach's avatar
ganach
11 posts
 
I second  Tom Tutay Transition Audio Design iFort Walton Beach FL.  He redesigned/rebuilt a Precision Fidelity C8 preamp for me in 2002.  PM me for his tel no.
levingson
3 posts
 
If you have had to regularly replace fuses then no matter what else send it back to its maker, he needs to see it.
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