helicopter34234
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2008
- Posts
- 153
- Likes
- 11
I ordered the Head fi deal Zero DAC/AMP (opamp upgrade with 1 module of OPA627AU on the dac section and 2pcs LT1364 on the headamp section, with the Alps upgrade) from lawrencechanbig at msn dot com ($200).
I received the zero today and plugged everything in (SPDIF optical cable) but couldn't get any sound out. I verified that the power supply setting was on 110V (I live in America). I started noticing that my right ear was getting warm and I smelled burning. This was with my Senn HD-497's so I immediately unplugged them and tried with cheap buds with the volume pot turned all the way down and the right ear bud completely melted. I then unplugged the digital optical input cable and retested with the burned earbuds. The coil had completely melted itself out of the plastic but even with the SPDIF cable unplugged the coil was still getting extremely hot (the left was one getting warm). I tested my Senn's on my mp3 player and it turns out that the right ear was damaged (about half the volume in the right ear versus the left ear). I really do not think I did anything wrong in its use or setup (especially since it did it without any input signal and with volume turned down). What could have caused this? I'm pretty pissed, the Senn's are $50 headphones.
Update/Summary (10/27/08)
I tend to write very long posts, therefore to spare anyone who is just tuning in from having to read through it all, I will summarize the events that happened.
I inspected the entire device (I even took out all of the boards) for obvious signs of damage or mistakes (like chips in backwards) and found nothing. I emailed Lawrence, his response was that something must have happened in shipping (even though there was no sign of damage anywhere) and to ship it back at my own cost (he would not reimburse me for the damages). Lawrence claims to have tested and fully burned in the device for an hour, however I find this claim dubious as there isn' the slightest indication of shipping damage anywhere on or in the device (and he has a history of QC flubs where he did not test before shipping). Boards don't just short out from being bounced around a little in shipping (unless they physically break). I decided I do not want to waste any more time and money on him therefore I am requesting a full refund (still have to ship it back for $40). If I am lucky I will get the refund and only be out $90.
Lawrence
I am not going to tell anyone to "not buy" from Lawrence (ebay name biglawhk). I will however tell you the facts that I gathered about him. Several other Head-Fi members have had problems with the Zeros modified by Lawrence, several problems were easily identifiable as chips placed in backwards (clearly Lawrence's fault indicating he did not even test the devices before shipment). In every case, Lawrence's response was to ship the device back on the buyer's dime (about $40) and once he received it he would send out another device. If you deal with Lawrence and he sends you a bad device (and this happens), you will pay $40 and have to wait a month to get a working one (no exceptions). Lawrence has never demonstrate accountability for his modification mishaps. He does not answer his emails often and when he does, his responses do not address everything you asked him, and sometimes do not make sense (he called me Wendy). Honestly it is like talking to a computer. If you look at his eBay feedback, there are several instances of the buyer receiving broken or incorrect merchandize. Also he has had other Paypal disputes in the last 12 months.
eBay Seller: biglawhk: Electronics, Computers Networking items on eBay.com
I decide to order my Zero from wsz0304, he has a 100% rating on ebay and he has a history of honest business with Head-Fi members.
I received the zero today and plugged everything in (SPDIF optical cable) but couldn't get any sound out. I verified that the power supply setting was on 110V (I live in America). I started noticing that my right ear was getting warm and I smelled burning. This was with my Senn HD-497's so I immediately unplugged them and tried with cheap buds with the volume pot turned all the way down and the right ear bud completely melted. I then unplugged the digital optical input cable and retested with the burned earbuds. The coil had completely melted itself out of the plastic but even with the SPDIF cable unplugged the coil was still getting extremely hot (the left was one getting warm). I tested my Senn's on my mp3 player and it turns out that the right ear was damaged (about half the volume in the right ear versus the left ear). I really do not think I did anything wrong in its use or setup (especially since it did it without any input signal and with volume turned down). What could have caused this? I'm pretty pissed, the Senn's are $50 headphones.
Update/Summary (10/27/08)
I tend to write very long posts, therefore to spare anyone who is just tuning in from having to read through it all, I will summarize the events that happened.
I inspected the entire device (I even took out all of the boards) for obvious signs of damage or mistakes (like chips in backwards) and found nothing. I emailed Lawrence, his response was that something must have happened in shipping (even though there was no sign of damage anywhere) and to ship it back at my own cost (he would not reimburse me for the damages). Lawrence claims to have tested and fully burned in the device for an hour, however I find this claim dubious as there isn' the slightest indication of shipping damage anywhere on or in the device (and he has a history of QC flubs where he did not test before shipping). Boards don't just short out from being bounced around a little in shipping (unless they physically break). I decided I do not want to waste any more time and money on him therefore I am requesting a full refund (still have to ship it back for $40). If I am lucky I will get the refund and only be out $90.
Lawrence
I am not going to tell anyone to "not buy" from Lawrence (ebay name biglawhk). I will however tell you the facts that I gathered about him. Several other Head-Fi members have had problems with the Zeros modified by Lawrence, several problems were easily identifiable as chips placed in backwards (clearly Lawrence's fault indicating he did not even test the devices before shipment). In every case, Lawrence's response was to ship the device back on the buyer's dime (about $40) and once he received it he would send out another device. If you deal with Lawrence and he sends you a bad device (and this happens), you will pay $40 and have to wait a month to get a working one (no exceptions). Lawrence has never demonstrate accountability for his modification mishaps. He does not answer his emails often and when he does, his responses do not address everything you asked him, and sometimes do not make sense (he called me Wendy). Honestly it is like talking to a computer. If you look at his eBay feedback, there are several instances of the buyer receiving broken or incorrect merchandize. Also he has had other Paypal disputes in the last 12 months.
eBay Seller: biglawhk: Electronics, Computers Networking items on eBay.com
I decide to order my Zero from wsz0304, he has a 100% rating on ebay and he has a history of honest business with Head-Fi members.