1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 197789-132496

Well I did It! I managed to damage my phono pre-am (sigh)

So, I managed to damage my SimAudio Moon 110lp v2!

I am embarrassed to even be posting all this but whatever, perhaps someone could learn from my mistakes.

Recently I had made a post asking for feedback on Tube Phono Stages as I have been pondering about upgrading.

But I also wanted to see if I could perhaps squeeze out more performance out of the SimAudio and hence I also inquire about SUT's and what they can do.

One other aspect that I thought may improve the performance was getting a LPS.

So, I purchased the Ifi LPS as I had read good reviews of it (that unit is fine by that way). 

My SimAudio is 24vdc and I bought the Ifi 24v 2.5amp, thinking that would be the correct LPS.

It was delivered and I unplugged everything from the SimAudio.

The Ifi comes with different plug adapters but the default plug, plugged right in and I thought great, I won't have to use the adapters.

Plugged everything in and the SimAudio blue light came on but no sound!

Pugged the SimAudio back to its power adapter and all sounded fine.

Then I though, well maybe I do need to use one of the adapters and tried the correct one and same result, no sound. 

Went back to the default plug and then the blue light was flashing on the Sim and just a few seconds later, a puff of white smoke!

Unplugged everything immediately but knew right away the Sim was done for.

No other damage, the Ifi is fine and I will be returning that.

But my little SimAudio is no more.

Damn! I really liked that unit and was going to keep that around for a 2ndary system.

I feel horrible. At least it's not a terribly expensive unit but I just feel like crap about the situation.

Now for sure, I am going to have to get a new Phono Stage.

I just don't understand what went wrong, power wise, I thought for sure I was getting the correct unit.

Well, I'm just ranting here and getting it out as only you guys will understand.

Thanks for listening.

Jay 

 

jay73
elliottbnewcombjr
7,701 posts
 

Sad, BUT

you said it wasn't that expensive. after you get your new choice, you might/will be glad you fried it!

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,830 posts
 

Sorry to hear. I don’t believe in aftermarket power supplies as an improvement. I look at them as risk and a total waste of money for the most part. If you want better power supply, buy a component that includes it. Good news is you can get a better phono stage now

jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
246 posts
 

Thanks Guys for the positive remarks.

@tablejockey 

I did reach out to SimAudio to see if there is an option to have it repaired.

I'll see what they say. Even when I get a new phono stage, if I can have this one repaired, I'd like to do that. 

yags1
82 posts
 

i suggest if you are going to be swapping out power supplies to purchase a cheap voltemeter to check the polarity and voltages it's just insuranse that something like this dosen't happen by mistake , you can decide if you want a cheep one or a digital fluke it's all in the cost and peace of mind knowing that you have the correct polarity and voltage at the tip of the cable that you are going to use.

mggartner
37 posts
 

I was surprised to see your post. A couple of months ago, I sold the same Moon phono stage on eBay. Before it had even arrived, the buyer asked about using a "PS from China" that he had from another phono stage. I urged him not to use anything but the one that I shipped with the unit, unless it was approved by Sim Audio. A week after he received the device, he contacted me and said the thing had just quit working. I asked him if he used only the PS I shipped with it, and he said he did. I'm not sure I believe him, but based on eBay's policies, I decided to eat the cost, and do a return/refund. I opened it up, but I couldn't see or smell anything suspicious. Since I can't repair it myself, I decided it wasn't worth the cost of repairs. End of story.

More to discover