[erikzen]

OK, I couldn't resist. Even though I just got rid of my old SuperMini, all the improvements in the new version caught my fancy. I bought a new one with the digital volume control and all the bells and whistles. Could it be that it sounds as good as my portable Meta? Well, it looks like I'll have to wait to find out.

Kids, don't try this at home:

I put in a set of new alkaline batteries, plugged in my MZ-R50 and my DT931s. Wow, this sounds pretty good. Such clarity from Itzhak Perlman's violin on Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. OK, let's compare it to the my portable Meta...well, the violin itself sounds much clearer and articulate with the Super Mini but the bass is somewhat missing and it's a little flat. OK, well probably this thing needs some burn in to get the best sound possible sound but so far I'm liking it a lot.

Now, I have the booster connector so let's try a Plainview 9V. Take out the AAA, plug in the 9V. Hey, sounds even better. Still not the bass slam of the Meta but a bit more airy and it does go louder, not that it's necessary. This thing will drive 250 ohm cans no problem.

Now, on Xin's website it says that I can run both aaa and 9v batteries "cautiously" as long as all the batteries are rechargeable. No problem, I have some rechargeable aaa's and they aren't even fully charged. That shouldn't be too much voltage. Put them in and...hey! what the...! The volume doesn't work

Now I only get a constant low volume. Did I read Xin's website wrong? Can I not put both aaa's and a 9V in this thing? Apparently not. I guess I will have to contact Fixup and send it back.

I don't think anyone is as stupid as I am but please make sure not to put both sets of batteries in your super mini, unless you want to send your amp on a little roadtrip!

 

[mojoman]

I think with the digital vol control it can only handle 7.2v. If you want to go beyond that you need the analogue pot. I jus got a supermini with the analogue pot but I haven't tried it with a 9V yet.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Most rechargeable 9v batteries are actually 7.2v, while the plainsview is 9.6v. Thats likely the reason your mini crapped out.

Biggie.

 

[erikzen]

Is that to say that using the 9V alone caused the amp to blow out? As I stated it worked fine, albeit for a short period, with just the Plainview.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

No I mean: 9.6v + 3 *1.2v = 13.2v = bye bye mini

Biggie.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ No I mean: 9.6v + 3 *1.2v = 13.2v = bye bye mini Biggie.

Ouch!

But thanks.

Live and burn, I mean learn.

Back to Xin you go, little mini. Hopefully, Daddy can fix you.

 

[taoster]

hehe that's tough

 

[erikzen]

The good news is Xin will fix it for the cost of parts. Hopefully, it won't be too much.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

The good news is Xin will fix it for the cost of parts. Hopefully, it won't be too much.

Wow! Now that's customer service!

 

[archosman]

Heehee... erikzen's little mini walked the Green Mile!

 

[archosman]

A friend done told meeee...

Xin is in the process of making an even smaller supermini, with only 1 AAA
cell, with a built-in DC-DC booster. Tentatively, he's calling it the 'inline amp'. You may want to wait awhile and apply any value his SMini has towards an
'in-line'.

 

[erikzen]

Thanks for the update but I'm going to get the super mini fixed. This way I can use it for a while and then sell it at a deep discount to a fellow Head-Fier giving everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy!

 

[erikzen]

UPDATE (if anyone's interested

):

I blew out the digital volume IC. Xin fixed it for $10 and is sending it back to me. Outstanding customer service!

 

[gpalmer]

That is sweet! You're right about the amazing customer service...