(Happy update!) Fried amplifier? What can be done?

This hurts to type. But I built a system for my friend in korea. Schiit asgard and modius. Everything arrived safely, however something that neither I nor her considered is the difference in voltage needed (It’s for 110v, Korea use 220v) . So she onyl used an adapter for the asgard to run into the wall but not change the voltage. Point is, in her words. She played a song, the amplifier made smoke and smelled burnt. Since then it’s of course been disconnected, so first of all. I’m assuming the amp is fried straight up. My question is, can something like that be fixed by someone who knows what they are doing or is buying another amplifier straight up needed?

I’d have thought the fuse would have gone, but if it didn’t it’s probably going to cost more to have someone fix it (assuming you can even source the parts) than to buy a new one.

The asgard has an internal fuse that can be easily replaced. but requires removing the case by the look of online pictures, if your very lucky that’s all it needs.

If it’s not the Fuse, the actual cost to repair will depend on what decided it would act as a fuse, but practically someones time diagnosing it would be the bulk of any repair cost.

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The modius is likely fine, but the asgard sounds like it is gone. If you get smoke, that’s likely more than the fuse being gone. I would basically expect you would need to replace the amp itself, I doubt it would be viable to repair

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Gotcha gotcha, yeah and since schiit is an American company that isn’t easily accessible to foreigners in terms of being cost effective I’m not expecting the best scenario. She said that she will attempt to have it fixed, to find someone in korea that can do that which sounds unlikely. However if not she will just buy an amp. I linked her to a korean site selling the schiit magni since it should be good even if not as good as an asgard for a more reasonable price I case it dosent work out

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Right on. That’s what I was expecting when I read about the smoke. It’s not the biggest deal for me but it is dissapointing

Generally yes, but she could have gotten lucky and the smoke might have been insulation on something none critical. But yes if it smelled like carbon or was extremely acrid then in all likely hood a resistor or cap is dead, then your into diagnosing it.
There is also the chance the transformer failed if the fuse didn’t blow, then you have issues sourcing it if it’s not an off the shelf part.

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It is worth looking yes, if that happens the case then you can replace the fuse and then just need a step down voltage transformer (you don’t need to mess with frequency because korea is also 60hz from what I know), that would be best case scenario, but if something like the transformer failed, honestly you are sol at that point and better off buying a new amp

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It’s good to hear that she can just straight up buy schiit gear there. It’s unfortunate it happened, but things could be worse.

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If someone can fix it, the voltage change is likely just soldering or breaking one or 2 links on the bottom of the board, but good luck finding documentation that will tell you how to make the change.
Schiit won’t tell you because it’s a liability issue, by telling you they can be seen to be condoning the work and if it’s not done right and someone gets hurt they could be liable.

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I agree @Zaphain and Seriously thanks poly and mon for giving your opinions on this! She will look for someone to possibly try to fix it altho it seems like a long shot, and if not she will just buy the magni in korea!

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Someone with reasonable experience in amps could likely do it (aka if you found someone who could repair audio gear), but if they would or not is another story as well too

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And also finding someone like that I korea hmmmm. I mean they have an audio scene but finding something so niche In a small country seems quite hard. Specially I like my friend you don’t frequent forums etc lol

Schiit happens.

It’s an unfortunate oversight, will probably never happen again to either of you guys.

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UPDATE!

Due to both Hawks and asgard being fried I ended up deciding to simplify my friend’s chain since I didn’t want her to have another bad audio experience. This was certainly a learning lesson for both of us! Ended up buying her the Chord Mojo so thanks to my boi @Mr_Makua and also bought her some Grado Hemps! Finally today after some haggling with customs (shipped on January) It all arrived safely to her hands!


HAPPY ENDING! :heart:

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Very appropriate arrival date I will add.

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omg LOL ur right! haha

So glad the Mojo made it safe! How does she like the setup???

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She’s loving it! Haven’t talked yet as we skiped our phone call last week but will make sure to ask her about it this week as i’m sure curious too lol. So far what she said at first what that she loooves it and that music really sounds crazy different on this setup over anything she has heard. Her and her daughter spent that night listening to them. That’s as far as we got as i was working when she messaged me lol but ill make sure to get her observations and update them here :eyes: once i talk to her this weekend.

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We talked this weekend, forgot to update since I’ve been busy. She’s been loving the setup! Interesting thing she noted though was that when she streams music into it it dosent sound as good in comparison to the files that are locally stored while when she does the same on her wireless speakers it dosent sound too different. But she said she’s loving them! Spent tons of time with them and he daughter is loving them too lol! Loves the bass and just said that the sound quality feels next level. Besides that she didn’t really have much descriptors for it but I can tell she’s loving the setup which is dope! Thanks everyone!

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