DizRotus

Harman Kardon BTA, Bluetooth adapter, ($59.95 w/free shipping) is on its way from Amazon. I'll compare it to the Logitech. I've got 2 Logitechs and my son uses a third to play music from his phone through the h/k 430 and Klipsch Heresy system I put together for him. All 3 work great. Then why pay more (Logitechs were $39.95 w/free shipping) for h/k adapter? The h/k holds the promise of slightly better range. Soon I'll know for myself.

You're doing it the right way Tom. Get rid of nothing until the History Channel threatens to tape an episode of "Hoarders," Then only jettison enough to get them to leave you to your music.[]

Tom- What changes, if any, did you make to your vintage (almost as old as I am) Khorns? As I recall, one had a University tweeter and the other an EV.

To their credit, SMSL-China has advised waiting to purchase any of their amps. They go on vacation next week (wasn't it just Chinese New Year?). When they return, they will revisit changes made to several amps. By then, the replacement SA-S1 will have arrived. I'll post the verdict when the replacement arrives and when they give the green light to purchase again.

Wolfram- Thanks for the input. As it stands now, SMSL has shipped a replacement SA-S1. I must say, the response from SMSL has been immediate and phenomenal. Whoever I have exchanged emails with seems sincerely mortified and eager to do the right thing. He/she said SMSL would stop selling the SA-S1 until issues are resolved. I'm still confident they'll make it right. I hope the replacement works. Before your recommendation of the SA-50, I was looking at some other SMSL amps. If the resolution goes as promised and expected, I might try another SMSL amp. While, based upon my experience, I would encourage others to deal with SMSL, I would discourage purchasing the SA-S1 at this time.

That's very good to hear. Welcome home.

You' ll love these when you tame the trouble maker. Photos would help. It sounds like you have decorator Cornwalls. I'd try switching the K55/Atlas drivers side to side. If the problem follows the driver, it all but rules out the balancing network, connections, etc. as the problem. If the problem doesn't follow the driver, the reverse is likely. Please keep us posted. Good luck.

The "27nJ630" (missing from my amp) must have been the deal breaker. I advised SMSL-China their Engineering Department is blowing smoke at them and at me. Why would adding or subtracting 4 "auxiliary" resistors affect the "aesthetics" of the amp when they should never be seen by the customer. More important, my amp was missing 5 components. Most important, IT DOES NOT WORK. The ability of an amp to produce sound is not "auxiliary" or a matter of aesthetics," it's a necessity. My amp and the one shown on the site indicate, "VER: 05." I must have gotten version 06. [] Despite everything, I'm still confident they'll make it right.

The photos sent to SMSL-China prompted a further exchange of emails. The Sales Department expressed frustration with the Engineering Department for making "minor" engineering changes without alerting Sales. They asked if I could again send photos. I next heard that Engineering explained the 4 missing parts are "auxiliary" resistors for "aesthetic" purposes only. I replied with photos of the amp shown on their site. The four "1n5J 630- EVOX PFR" components between the output and input terminals (they're the small blue components in the upper left with writing on them) are absent in my amp.

To get around the need to click on the pdfs, I've taken a photo of the 2 pdfs and attached it to this post. I also sent it to SMSL-China. Your discovery, Rich, might explain why I received no folksy reply to the email I sent yesterday with the same photos. If 4 components were missing, as they appear to be, SMSL-China was probably embarrassed by seeing that and at a loss to reply. I might be naive (no, I am naive) but I feel they are sincere about resolving the problem, embarrassed, but sincere. I genuinely believe they'll send a fully functioning amp . . . . eventually. After re-reading Rich's post above, it's clear a fifth component is missing. Another component is missing near the power switch and the blue Rubycon cap.

A photo (attached as a pdf) taken from SMSL's eBay listing clearly shows 4 blue components where empty spaces exist on the board in the amp they sent to me (shown in the pdf attached to the post above). I'm eager to get their reaction to your sleuthing, Rich. Thanks.

Rich- That's a great catch. I should have noticed those 4 empty spots, especially in comparison to the photo in the eBay listing. I've attached an annotated photo as a pdf showing 4 empty spaces. An annotated photo from SMSL's eBay listing wil be attached as a pdf to the next post. I'll definitely bring this to the attention of SMSL-China, although the tracking indicates they already shipped a replacement.

Neil Young is Canadian. But 'eh who cares? Not in any particular order and, by no means exhaustive: Brian Wilson George & Ira Gershwin Holland, Dozier & Holland Steveland Hardaway Morris Edward Kennedy Ellington Johnny Mercer Billy Strayhorn Neil Sedaka Michael Jackson

A bunch of stuff is crammed onto the rear panel. Using one enclosure with a single port for 2 drivers is a compromise necessitated by the need for portability. It's still quite heavy, but it's relatively compact. The 6A PS (on the right) results in a noticeable improvement of bass, dynamics and clean volume, as compared to the 12v/2A PS that came with the Lepai. The PS for the Bluetooth adapter is on the left.

I opened it up to swap the 12v/2A power supply (PS) that came with the Lepai for the 12v/6A LCD Monitor PS recently purchased from Amazon. The original Lepai PS is still plugged in on the right in this photo. The larger 6A unit, with yellow label, is on the table The foam seems to improve the sound. The port is as long as space permits. I'd try it longer if it would fit. Shortening the port weakens the bass. The plan to use screws into the glue blocks was abandoned in favor of T-nuts and machine screws. Likewise, T-nuts are used throughout, permitting the drivers to be removed and re-installed without requiring interior access to thread nuts onto machine screws. Between the 2 pair of single driver BR speakers and the dock, more than 100 T-nuts were used.

Buttoned up again for a trip back to China. I'll report again when the replacement arrives. I fully expect it to operate.

Connected again for a fourth try at producing music. It lights up, but no sound.

Close-up, looking rear to front.

Underside. Nothing obviously wrong here.

The hood is open.

After the international arm twisting by SMSL-China, I opened the amp. Unfortunately, there was no obvious explanation of the failure. Some photos are attached to this and subsequent posts. On cursory observation, the soldering looked good. Some basic continuity testing with a DVM found no fault. In this photo the seal is still intact.

After exchanging several emails, it was unclear whether they wanted me to open the unit. I explained that I would stifle my curiosity so that they would see it exactly as I received it. I received the following at 11:24 pm EDT: "Hello I would prefer to satisfy your curiosity, hohoho. and, when you get re-shipping one, please turn off CASE. Thank you - smsl-china" I replied that I'd open it in the morning and send photos and a report. They wished me "good night." All in all, it's been a pleasant and interesting experience and international dialogue. "Please turn off CASE" refers to the open eBay resolution case, not the amp's case.

So far, I'm impressed with the response of SMSL to this DOA amp. I sent a message today (Saturday) about 6:00 PM EDT. Within a few hours I received the following through eBay" "Hello Neil We will re-shipping today. But this is a very strange phenomenon. Prior to shipment, we have carried out specialized tests. Hard to imagine that this thing will happen. Anyway, today we will be re-shipping. best regards - smsl-china" Since then we've exchanged a few emails about the symptoms and diagnostic possibilities. They would like the defective unit returned. Their concern and desire to identify the problem seem genuine. At one point they said: "Hello Neil We have just been discussing the problems that may arise. Because we have not encountered this problem. OK, you can open it. And then sent back to us. When you receive a new one. best regards - smsl-china" While I selfishly wish they would send a working unit and let me keep this one, I understand and admire their desire to identify the problem. Therefore, I will reluctantly not open it so they can see it's condition without wondering if I changed anything. I asked them to let me know what they find. They're sending a replacement by air mail.

The Pens were in the playoffs? I recall the Bruins beating the Blackhawks.[]

The S.M.S.L. SA-S1 arrived today. Everything looked fine. Unfortunately, Christmas in August produced a lump of coal. The lights came on, but nobody was home. Although I knew the problem wasn't the source, as I'd just been using it to power Lepai #2, I re-checked all connections; nothing. Next I substituted a CD player for the Bluetooth adapter as the source; nothing. Then I tried another power supply; nothing. Finally, I removed the S.M.S.L. from the system and returned Lepai #2, using the S.M.S.L. 14v 3.8A PS; sound poured from Lepai #2. The S.M.S.L. PS works, but the S.M.S.L. amp does not. BTW, Lepai #2 sounds better than ever on a diet of 14v 3.8A. Next I'll be able to report on the S.M.S.L. customer service. Fingers crossed.