I have several shorted power transformers from Chinese amps in my workshop, I'm happy to send you one if you'd like to pay for shipping. Depending on which winding shorts, you can do a whole lot of damage. For example, if we have an 845 amplifier and the 10V winding in the transformer shorts, it will burn up the transformer (the shorted 10V winding will cause no HV current to be drawn by the output tube, and the 10V winding can probably suck down 40A of current without popping a fuse). Luckily the unit that I have blew the HV winding instead. This particular pair is the "improved" design that wasn't supposed to blow up like version 1. (Version 1 had doubled up 500V caps in series for a power supply rail that would be about 1000V if you put 110V into the power transformer, but we have 120V in the US).but this seems to be a sort of unsupported fear stoking that helps perpetuate common misconceptions. incendiary statements like that should be backed up by facts. has anyone documented a house fire started by audio gear? maybe so. if so, cite to it please.
Even companies such as Apple couldn't manage to keep bad counterfeit caps out of their production stream. My father had an early 2000s iMac that had the screen fail twice. The cause was a failed counterfeit cap and it was replaced under warranty. Even then the replacement cap turned out to be yet another counterfeit which failed. Third times turned out to be the charm.I have several shorted power transformers from Chinese amps in my workshop, I'm happy to send you one if you'd like to pay for shipping. Depending on which winding shorts, you can do a whole lot of damage. For example, if we have an 845 amplifier and the 10V winding in the transformer shorts, it will burn up the transformer (the shorted 10V winding will cause no HV current to be drawn by the output tube, and the 10V winding can probably suck down 40A of current without popping a fuse). Luckily the unit that I have blew the HV winding instead. This particular pair is the "improved" design that wasn't supposed to blow up like version 1. (Version 1 had doubled up 500V caps in series for a power supply rail that would be about 1000V if you put 110V into the power transformer, but we have 120V in the US).
I have had a low voltage winding short, and though it didn't burn my house down, it did completely destroy the piece of furniture it was sitting on and the smell was atrocious. I knew my house wasn't burning down because all of the smoke was white.
As I pointed out above, a recent Nobsound kit I worked on contained counterfeit capacitors. While a blown capacitor isn't usually likely to cause a fire, these have the pressure relief vents covered by a piece of countertop laminate. I had planned to put these on my HV supply to see how long they took to blow, but I'm concerned that doing that would be more dangerous than normal due to that glaring assembly error.
In the early 2000s, Dell computer had an issue with a particular capacitor supplier using a stolen electrolyte formula. These failed caps would burp out a bunch of hydrogen gas, which is a serious fire hazard. This mistake really put these issues on the map.
If the mods allow it, I can buy one and do an objective review of the measured performance, examine the legitimacy of the parts, and present any safety concerns.Mark, I think it'd make you feel good to buy the JBH Tube single-ended EL34 amp, available for $270 shipped with tubes, or $245 without.
Then you can report back to us about whether it was worthwhile!
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Why the heck wouldn't they*? Did you ever read the rules here?If the mods allow it, I can buy one and do an objective review of the measured performance, examine the legitimacy of the parts, and present any safety concerns.
If the mods allow it, I can buy one and do an objective review of the measured performance, examine the legitimacy of the parts, and present any safety concerns.
Just beware -- that one weird trick might be hidin' a couple of ICEPower modules under the deck.Beware the knock-on effect, though: Anything less than a resounding denouncement will soon result in multipage threads somewhere loudly proclaiming "$250 Tube Amp is GIANT KILLLLR!" and "JBH Tube - Just Try This One Weird Trick".
The Rules- Please Read
How to conduct yourself (Otherwise known as The Rules). So what are the rules: Have Fun! Don't be an asshole. Enjoy!hifihaven.org
If the mods allow it, I can buy one and do an objective review of the measured performance, examine the legitimacy of the parts, and present any safety concerns.
It's so hard to remember them all! Especially all that middle stuff!
Is the third rule that there are only two rules?
I mean, there is a Zeroeth* Law of Thermodynamics, because they realized that they forgot one when the first Three were promulgated.
Speaking of metaphysical conundrums -- here's a personal favorite.
This sentance has three erors in it.
🤪
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* or is that Zeroth?
I did retire for a reason!The floggings will continue until morale improves
Woot!!It's here!