I can only relate the one experience I have had which seems roughly similar.
I bought a CD transport from a friend in a neighbouring city. Before heading for home 500 miles away, I drove to my brother's house, closer, where I had arranged to stay the night. There, I took the transport (and DAC) out to play for him. It wouldn't read any discs. Yet the unit had worked perfectly during the demo at my friend's place, before I bought it.
This was a big disappointment.
Once I got home, after determining it was still on the fritz, I took the transport to the manufacturer's service centre and informed the seller. He asked me to keep him posted. Turned out the laser assembly had to be replaced. Parts and labour came to just under CDN$200, and my friend and I split it, at his insistence.
I'm glad he did, because there's a possibility I would have felt less friendly if I'd had to pay the whole bill. I had never even gotten to hear the transport in my system, after all. On the other hand, I knew it was working perfectly when I took it away.
I conclude that this transport is very sensitive to being moved. (Funny: a transport you can't transport.) I also conclude that the relationship with me was very important to the seller. As far as I'm concerned, he didn't owe me a cent. But he knew how I felt, without my telling him.
It looks to me as though your buyer's next step is to take the player in for a repair estimate. The tech may be able to determine the cause of the problem. Please keep us posted about how things develop, if you get the chance. |
1) Yes, absolutely. Fortunately for you this was a local deal and you demonstrated the pice worked fine before the sale.
2) I would aid him in getting it in for warranty if I was the holder of the warranty and the unit was still covered, but in a case like this, it likely won't be covered by warranty (depends on the company). Otherwise, no. He broke it, he's on the hook for the repair, FWIW you are probably right abouth the fuse/trip circuit in amps, I don't know about CDP's having them though....so it could be more than you think. |
Absolutely changing cords with power still on would cause this!!! An unfortunate occurance to be sure, but not your fault, NOR your responsibility. This would be like selling a used car, then taking responsibility for the repairs caused by the new owner putting sugar in the gas tank.
If you can assist by helping the purchaser find a reputable repair shop, then by all means do so, and if you are willing to offer him a ride to and from (assuming he needs that) that would be extremely accomodating. However, paying in any way, shape, or form for a problem so obviously caused by the new owner is simply too generous unless a repair tech can tell you that beyond question the Rega was about to blow (and we both know that is not the case).
I certainly applaud your noble conscience, but this gentleman has made his own bed in this case - there is no need for you to have to lie in it too. |
I agree the unit was working fine at your home and admittantly in his home till he changed the cord. He is an owner. Also anyone having audio/video etc equipment should know that if you switch a powercord while the unit is on a arc, spike or just static discharge can occur. Since most of the electronics these days contain a micro-processor of one type or another they are at risk of a static shorting.
I agree with kennyt in that if the warranty is in effect help him otherwise, he's an owner. You have displayed a good level of concience by writing this thread, but I wouldn't invest any guilt in this situation. Sleep well! |
If you can help, its the best thing to do.It looks
like the buyer is nice too, by being honest,when
I read some of the DISPUTE here at Agon,some
were not even worth mentioning.But please sleep good.
And enjoy the music. |
If you provided the instruction manual, and the buyer read it, hopefully there was a warning in there that pulling the plug *may be a Bad Thing. I'd be really surprised if it actually caused damage. IME, this is more likely w/ equipment that has, as mentioned, microprocessors. Typically, even when switched "off", there is still a sleeper circuit that stays on to maintain memory functions, settings, presets, and for VCR's a space heater to keep the interior warm and dry. Looking at schematics for amps and preamps, they may be a little more tolerant of hard shutdowns, but even then, they may have a warmup delay to prevent DC thumps through the system.
The McCormack UDP-1 has a front standby switch, and they warn against pulling the plug before going to the standby position. The Parasound T3 tuner, doesn't have a standby switch, but even after powering down, can be very cranky about swapping cords; losing it's display and memory.
RTFM, dummy, is still as valid as ever... |
No, you do not have the obligation, it was not your fault. But if I were in the same situation, I would try to have it repaired for the buyer. If warranty already ran out, I would split the repair cost as good will because I believe friendship worths much more than money.
Just my 2 cents. |
I know nothing about the reason that this could happen, but I think that it is very honorable for you to show sympathy for the buyer. I know that I would feel bad...(but not necessarily guilty)...and would assist the person in getting the repairs done...how much your financial contribution is to resolving the matter is something that you have to decide. If the repairs weren't very expensive, I would probably offer to split the cost...but once again...the cost of repairs to audio gear is something of which I know even less than the cause of the problem. If the repairs were very expensive I might offer a little "sympathy" cash subsidization...but taking full responsibility on your shoulders?...I don't think you need to go that far.
just my 2c
Ellery |
Is there a problem with the new power cord? Sometimes, the EIA connection at the unit may be a tad loose, preventing the unit from getting power. Try another power cord, just to be sure. If not, turn the power switch off. Let the player sit for 5 minutes. Unplug the power cord. Let the unit sit for 15 minuets. Replug the power cord. Let the unit sit for 5 minutes. Turn the power switch on. Sometimes this will recycle the microprocessors. If this doesn't work, the next step is to locate the internal fuses, and check and replace if necessary |
Just email Rega and ask the question. They will probably indicate that he should never have changed the PC when player was engaged. You don't owe him anything if that is their answer. |
Thanks for all your responses. I have talked with the buyer and agreed to pay half for repairs. He probably won't let me, but the offer is there.
He is going to ship the unit to Rega. I will be in touch with him to find out the results.
Cheers!
Dan |
Replacing the power cord while the unit is ON is no different than having the AC power go out (as happens from time to time). If the unit is damaged by such an event, it's a lousy design. |
Well, I managed to bump out the PC on the McCormack UDP-1 whilst powered (due to the crap, two prong IEC receptacle w/ next to zero grip) and nothing untoward resulted. |
Thanks for the update, Muzikat. I think we'd all like to know how things turn out, if you can keep us posted. |
Like the others, I believe you are not responsible and if you want to help him out, it is because you are a good friend and seller.
Ask him to open the unit and check out the fuses. It is the simplest thing to do and are easy to replace. Chances are they blew when changing power cords...and BTW...it is safeter to turn off the player and them change cords...
Jahaira. |
Who changes power cords with the unit powered on? Whether or not it caused the malfunction, that's no way to treat hi-end gear, or any gear for that matter -- he's just asking for trouble!
I'd feel bad too, but come on! |
Thanks for all the response. Here's the update.
Jupiter was sent to Rega for check/repair. It was a bad transformer. The dealer said pulling the powercord while powered up may or may not have been the trigger that caused the transformer to fail. Either way it probably was faulty, (of course I had no way of knowing this). Repair cost was $260, I have sent a check for half to the purchaser. Hopefully there will be "good listening" with this Rega Jupiter from now on.
Cheers!
Dan |
Thanks a lot for sharing the the story, Dan--both the beginning and the end. I'm glad you and the buyer found a way to feel as good as possible about the deal. You both sound like great guys, and I'll remember you when I trade. |
It's nice to know there are people like you in our community...most of us are good people...you just put the words to it. Thanks for sharing...it's so nice to hear stories like this rather than reading about something in the disputes forum. |
