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What is your scariest moment in High End audio?

After upgrading my digital front end, with another glass of wine in hand, I thought perhaps the analog setup deserved an upgrade from the entry level Kpetsu.

I then discovered that Koetsu was over! A search found a source for a Rosewood Signature Platinum, which I duly purchased and installed, together with a 3 gm weight in the JMW Memorial arm. That went OK, and I set it up using the VPI Scoutmaster jig, set the tracking weight to 1.9 gms, aligned the azimuth and made sure that the Sutherland Duo was set to 100 ohms and 64dB gain.

I settled down to a glorious hour or two of listening.  Then I thought "Did I get the downforce right.  Checked it & spot on.

i put another record on, lowered the arm to the record.  SILENCE (I could actually here the stylus in the groove but that was it.)

OMG.  Yes the cables were in.  Yes the pre was set to input from the deck. Had I destroyed a $6,700 inadvertently?

After 5 minutes of panic I turned off everything and restarted. All OK.  Who knew that a pre-amp could need rebooting?

 

 

retiredaudioguy
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,994 posts
 

@bjesien ....I wondered what spouse did with her other hand upon seeing the price.....

-Dope slap?

-Plunge into other pocket, fumble and squeeze Real Hard?

-Microwave meals and the couch for awhile?

...one knows (or ought to) 'going in' to the situation that she'll Never be enthused about how it 'sounds better'....

The only dodge that might SYA is the present something of equal or better that she'll appreciate....
Worse case would be some sonic thrills from her that won't be musical but have highs that will make your new object either jealous or frightened....

rockadanny
1,231 posts
 

Preamp can use 6SN7 or 12SN7 tubes via switch on the back. Had a pair of 6SN7s installed. Swapped in a pair of 12SN7s but forgot to flip toggle on back for 12v. Played music for a minute or so - dull and lifeless. Realized my mistake to flip toggle ... YIKES! Fortunately, no harm. Of course, had it been the other way around, 12v into 6v tube, perhaps that might have started a fireworks show?

michaeldavitt's avatar
michaeldavitt
3 posts
 

Got an SPL Phonitor Headphone Amp w/24bit/192kHz DAC (Black)

Plugged everything in and powered the system up with a brand new pair of Sennheiser HD-660s.

Smoke started pouring out of the top vent on the SPL Phonitor and as I reached over to unplug it,there was a tremendous POP in my left ear that blew out that channel. A cap exploded and destroyed the headphones. My left ear rang for a half hour.  My retailer replaced the Headphones with an open box unit.  The SPL Phonitor was sent back to Germany.  After a year in service with SPL, my retailer

gave me a refund.  Complete scary nightmare !

 

 

 

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