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Need some help with an amp.

Once again, I need some information/help. I just got an Aragon 2004 from ebay. I am getting some humming/buzzing from the speakers. It is louder from the left speaker than it is from the right.

I disconnected everything, unplugged everything except the amp and the left the speakers connected and I'm still getting a hum. So, I plugged everything back in.

Now, for some observations.

1. Everything was plugged in and connected. My preamp was in standby. The switch on the amp was off. I unplugged the interconnects from the amp, so that amp is sitting there, plugged in with the speakers connected with the switch off and nothing hooked up to it in terms of interconnects. I grabbed an interconnect and got a loud hum from one of the speakers. The only thing that the interconnect was connected to was the preamp (NOT the amp).

2. I went to plug the interconnects back into the amp. The preamp is still in standby and the switch on the amp is off. With one of the interconnect plugs in my hand, I was reaching behind the amp to plug it in, my bare arm touched the amp and I got a little shock. Not a big one, but I can definitely feel a small current.

3. With the preamp in standby and the switch on the amp off and the interconnects disconnected from the amp, I touched my bare arm on the case of the amp and grabbed the connector on the interconnect with my other hand and felt the "shock" on my bare arm.

Can anyone tell me what's up?

Thanks.
tonyangel
tonyangel OP
309 posts
 
I didn't buy the amp on audiogon. I got it on ebay. Really, the guy didn't have much feedback, but what he had was positive, so I took a chance. The claim was that it was "like new" (exact words) and had been tested. Once I got the amp out of the box, it was clearly NOT like new, with scratches on the chassis and faceplate and rust on the screw heads. I also found out that his "testing" consisted of hooking the amp up to see if it played.

Anyway, the guy did contact me today and the position that he took was that it was working when it left him, so I must have done something to it.

The buzz/hum that I'm hearing now is much less than it was hearing before the repairs and the amp doesn't shock me any more when I touch it while grounded. I'm considering it fixed and I'm the proud owner of a tank of an amp. I really like the way it sounds.

I'm gonna email the guy a copy of the invoice and see what happens.

At least, now, I have an old amp that I've always wanted and that has been gone through and I have peace of mind.

Thanks again everyone.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
You must have done 'something' eh? Like what? plugged it in and tried it?

If the seller doesn't at least kick down 1/2 the fix cost, leave some really awful feedback.
I'm sure the testing was 'lights on? check.' followed by 'no smoke? check.'
Than shipping.

It's not called EPray for nothing. I'd personally never deal with that site unless I could go check it out firsthand.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,682 posts
 
Since you had the amp worked on, I'm afraid you probably don't have a leg to stand on in a dispute. You should have immediately contacted the seller when you found the problem.
tonyangel OP
309 posts
 
Yeah, I know guys. I just let my emotions get the better of me. I've been wanting an Aragon for a while and I don't see too many 2004s for sale. When I saw this one, I snapped it up.

Tpreaves, you are right. Still, I wanted the amp and now I have it and didn't get ripped too badly. On the bright side, I have the amp that I wanted. I got it for around $350 and the additional costs that I paid are going into the peace of mind category, since the amp has now been gone through by someone that I trust.

Of course, the seller took the position that I must have broken it and he isn't helping out, so I'm kind of stuck; but I am sitting here listening to my system and loving it.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Be sure to leave a wonderful feedback........
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