Overheated Audio Equipment - 3 weeks old

rickp1

On 15.5.2010 I bought an audio system (DAB radio/CD player) from a well known shop that specialises in this type of equipment.

On 5.6.10 (3 weeks after purchase) it stopped working - and on closer inspection was very hot and had a smell of burning. I was playing it louder than would be normal as it was a party, but no where near full volume and the sound quality was good. The equipment was not cheap (£330 - made by Cambridge Audio).

On returning it to the shop, I was told that the likely cause was the way in which I was using the product, and that I would have to pay for the repair if it was shown to be due to me "thrashing the equipment". (my behaviour was compared to driving a car at 120 mph)

I have written to the company today quoting the Sale of Goods Act, but is it correct to accuse me of mistreating the equipment?

No indication was given by the salesman or in the manual that the kit was likely to blow if played at more than half volume for about three hours, and surely it should not blow on pretty much its first use?

If it comes back repaired but deemed not to be "my fault" - and therefore no charge -am I entitled to a refund? - I went to the shop in the expectation that it would be replaced with a new unit, but having been accused of mistreating the equiment by turning it up, I would rather take my custom elsewhere.

Also, no alternative was offered, and as a minimum, I will be without the equipment for "3 to 4 weeks".

boatingbrock

The shop seem very unsympathetic. Did they raise the question of the speakers you were using? Assuming you were using the new equipment with your existing speakers they could claim that you were overloading the amplifier by using the wrong impedance speakers. Did anyone ask you what you were going to use the new kit with?

cybergibbons

Hmm. Is this a One+ system? Have you got speakers quite well matched to it?

I've never been sure how this (consumer protection wise) works. I have a 50W amp, and speakers that are rated 75W. However, I know if I turn the amp up too much, the thermal protection in the speakers will trip. If I overload the amp it blows a couple of automatically resetting fuses.

If I connect the 50w speakers to a 15W amp (built by me), and crank the amp, the overload protection in the amp brings the output back to a safe level.

But I do know quite a few speakers and amps don't have these protection features, and blow fuses or components when pushed too hard. And there is nothing in the manual about it.

I'd expect the retailer to replace it though, this soon after purchase.

stef73

I have had a Cambridge Audio amp for my seperates for years . When i purchased the amp i was told not to play music for the 1st 6 hours at any more than 1/4 volume think this was in the instuctions also .

rickp1

Hi thanks for your comments

You are right - it is the One+. I bought the speakers from Richer Sounds at the same time. They are also made by Cambridge Audio (Scirocco). Not sure of the capacity, but they were £130 for the pair (bookshelf speakers about 10 inches high). At no point was I warned of potential problems with playing at volume for a while.

The quality of the sound was very good, and first I knew of a problem was when it packed up - speakers still work fine having used another unit through it

regards Rick

Zandoni

The instructions are here

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/AP242532CAOneDX1UserManual01En.pdf

All I could find was this on page 6

"Electronic audio components have a running in period of around a week (if used
several hours per day). This will allow the new components to settle down, the sonic properties will improve over this time."

cybergibbons

So S30 speakers? They are the standard with One+ - impedance and size is well matched to the amplifier. It shouldn't have permanently stopped working - if it overheated it should have shut down but worked again afterwards.

Anne_Non

Hello Rickp1 - hope you invited your neighbours to your party :rotfl::beer:.

In an attempt to explain what may have happened to your amplifier. In a well designed cricuit, as the previous respondent said, even if there is a mismatch, the system should just shut down and reset itself, once it has cooled down.

However, some systems still rely on fused output circuitry, which will obviously stop the amplifier working altogether. Any engineer, worth their salt would be able to fix that for you in less than five minutes.

All amplifiers will generate a certain amount of heat in normal use, which does increase as you start to drive the amplifier. If the heat isn't disapated correctly, either through poorly designed heatsinks or blocking of the airvents, then the amplifier should just switch itself off and reset once it has cooled down.

It does not matter what the reasons are for it shutting down on you, the case remains that the amplifier should and must be able to cope with higher than normal volume levels without breaking :mad:.

Therefore, the goods are not as described and it is not doing what they were advertised to do.

The way I see it, you should be able to get either a free repair, an exchange or your money back.

rickp1

Richer Sounds phoned me, very apologetic and have offered to send me a cheque by way of a full refund.

This is the first time I have used this MSE.com site, and would like to express my sincere thanks for the efforts you have all gone to, in explaining relevant sections of the manual, internal workings of the Unit, compatibility with speakers etc.

PS we had a great party and the neighbours were away on holiday!

thanks again...Rick

cybergibbons

No probs - that's what the thanks button is for though (hint!)