Dussun V8i. Is it dead for eternity?

innov8ion · « **on:** 25 Dec 2008, 08:31 pm »

Hmm. My Dussun V8i stopped working. I was watching tv, the sound went off and I started smelling burnt electronics. Now I turn on the power, it makes a clicking sound, but the status lights don't come on and of course there is no sound. Here's a description of it: http://www.china-highend-hifi.com/prod0112316.htm

Can you please provide some advice? What could be broken? Is it fixable or would it cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks,
Dave

opnly bafld · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 09:52 pm »

If you bought it through AAA Audio it has a 3 year warranty.
http://aaa-audio.com/index-order.htm

Lin

innov8ion · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 10:11 pm »

Thanks for the response, Lin. Unfortunately I didn't. I bought it as a package deal with the ACI speakers listed in my sig. That's why I believe I'm faced with a repair/replace decision. But I'd prefer a reasonably inexpensive solution if possible. Thanks and have a happy holidays all!

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 10:32 pm »

Depending how much you want to spend, I have had great success fixing outdated receivers, as well as complicated AV Receivers with Ezekiel, who hawks his fixed up creations in Audiogon. He is very reasonable for his services. I really thought I was going to dump this Pioneer Elite receiver my friend gave me for repair, it had been struck by lightening and yet, Ezekiel came through. Find out, I doubt there is something proprietary about the Dussun...must use off the shelf parts. So, if you do not mind doling out a couple hundred, you might get it working again.

Audiovista · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 10:37 pm »

Can you pop the cover and take a look inside? If something is burnt, you should be able to identify it.

But, first, unplug the unit and give it 30 min before removing the cover.

JoshK · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 11:00 pm »

Yep, something got fried. Its not the end of its life though unless it was a very poor design and created lots of collateral damage. Most likely that is not the case and a few parts need replacing. It sounds like it has relays and timed start up from your description. That is a good sign. Likely a resistor went up in a smoke and took a few peripheral parts with it. Happens.

Who did you get the integrated from? They might offer to fix it for a reasonable amount, or you can have a local technician take a look, or the guy Bemopt suggested. Unless massive amounts of damage were caused (not likely) it should be easy to fix.

electricbear · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 11:39 pm »

If you are local to St Louis you could either take it to Mike at Alpha Tech or Paul at Best Sound. They are the best repair guys in the St Louis area. If you need phone numbers p.m. me. Hopefully it is nothing major.

innov8ion · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Dec 2008, 11:53 pm »

Wow, everyone is so awesome with responses. Thanks for the advice. I did some digging and found the manual and warranty. The warranty says it's good for 2 years but I purchased it in 11/2006 and the original buyer likely had it for a bit before then. So, it's probably no good. I've sent an email to AAA Audio to see what they recommend.

After taking the cover off, a quick glance shows likely damage to one of the toroidal transformers. Everything else "seems" to be ok upon a visual glance. The transformer says its, "designed for Dussun" which makes me think it may be proprietary. Hopefully not! Might be wise of me to contact some of the folks mentioned here after I get a response from AAA Audio.

Thanks!
Dave

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Dec 2008, 02:41 pm »

I am no expert but if one of the transformers is damaged, it might mean both of them need to be swapped in order to match the characteristics of the transformer. Anyway, take it to a tech or send it somewhere to be inspected. If worst comes to worst, you will be out of just shipping and if you are able to fix it, then, you will have saved a bundle.

innov8ion · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Jan 2009, 06:40 pm »

Thanks everyone. I took the case off and discovered that one of the toroidal transformers had fried. Although it was a few months past the initial 2 year warranty, Ping of AAA Audio <http://www.aaa-audio.com/> impressed me in the customer service department by offering to take care of it. I told him I would pay him for return shipping but he told me not to worry about it.

Joe Jurzec of Jam'n'Audio <http://www.jamnaudio.com/index.html>, who I purchased the integrated from, was helpful in suggesting I ship it back to Ping via FedEx instead of UPS ($70 each way vice $400!!!) and also in digging up the old sales receipt.

Class acts, the both of them! Makes me feel good to do business with such good people/companies. And soon again I will be listening to the sweet sounds of my ACI Sapphire XL's powered by the Dussun integrated. I love these components together -- what a great match.

ecramer · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Jan 2009, 06:47 pm »

SOunds like you goingto make out ok

innov8ion · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Apr 2009, 06:49 pm »

Quote from: ecramer on 26 Jan 2009, 06:47 pm

SOunds like you goingto make out ok

I'm not so sure and believe that I could use some advice. Below is everything I have experienced since we last spoke. This is a warning to those considering buying Dussun products, and doing business with Dussun's sole American distributor -- Ping Gong and AAA-Audio. Everything to include email exchanges, are located here: http://aaa-audio.digistic.com/

I own a Dussun V8i integrated amplifier, retail cost of $1600, which stopped operating in December 2008. Even after the official warranty had ended a month earlier, Ping Gong of AAA-Audio, the American distributor for Dussun, entered an email contract with me promising to repair the amplifier. Even after I offered to pay for return shipping, he promised he would pay for it.

He received the device via Fedex on January 27th, 2009 and claimed no damage in transit. On February 28th, I received an email from Ping stating that he had an emergency and would get back to me soon. On March 9th, he apologized for the delay stating that he had totally lost his mind. On March 18th, 2009, nearly two months after receiving the amplifier, he stated that he repaired the amplifier and would let it run for a while before sending it back. Against our original agreement, he now claimed that I would need to pay for return shipping. Still, no reports of damage to the amplifier.

When asked about the change of heart regarding shipping, Ping became upset and threatened to sell my property on eBay. On March 19th, 2009, he sent me an angry email and stated that he would send the already repaired amplifier back after 3-4 weeks of testing. On March 27th, 2009, he sent an email stating the amplifier was considered totaled and "fit for a junkyard." How can this claim be taken seriously given the facts of the case already stated?

Since Ping entered a contract with me to repair the amplifier, stated he repaired the amplifier on March 18th, and that it was irreparably destroyed on March 27th -- my Dussun V8i amplifier was destroyed in his care. Therefore, it is my belief he owes me the value of the amplifier and possibly a penalty for his lies, threats, and harassment.

On April 7th, 2009, Ping stated he wished to buy back my unit. On April 9th, 2009, I responded that I would accept a fair settlement of $1150. Later that day, Ping responded that he would only pay a settlement of $400 and even threatened to sue me for fraud? Uh, ok... I then let him know that the negotiation was over. He then tells me he will send back my amplifier. I told him that I can't accept it, because we signed a contract stating that he would repair the device.

Why would I accept my amplifier back from him that he claims to have destroyed? The amplifier just needed a transformer replaced but now he destroyed it. He owes me...

I will have to enter small claims court with him in Missouri. I've already filed a claim against him with the Better Business Bureau of Boston. But you should all be aware of this deceitful man -- Ping Gong, owner of AAA-Audio... Worst business experience in my life!

Dave Goldstick

sts9fan · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Apr 2009, 07:04 pm »

bummer

looks like you will need to change your sig

electricbear · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Apr 2009, 08:26 pm »

I think you have a very good case. You might want to send a letter to the head of Dussun to let them know of your unpleasant experience at the hands of their authorised representative. Here's their address 7F,No.214, LongJiang Rd, Shanghai, P.R.China Zip Code： 200082 . You might want to tell them that the reputation of their wonderful products is being willfully tarnished here in the US. I'd include the email link so they can read about the promises that were never fulfilled.

innov8ion · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Apr 2009, 08:29 pm »

Thanks Electricbear. I did write an email to [email protected] explaining the same thing to them. No response.

electricbear · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Apr 2009, 08:40 pm »

I think the email address because it's a .com will just take you to the idiot you've been dealing with. I'd send a letter to Zou Yuanyuan himself.

innov8ion · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 10:08 pm »

opnly bafld · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 10:44 pm »

Quote from: innov8ion on 15 Apr 2009, 10:08 pm

Is there any way to more broadly distribute this issue to the A/V public? I wouldn't mind turning up the pressure on he and AAA-Audio.

Is the box on AAA-Audio's homepage yours?

innov8ion · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 11:02 pm »

^ Wow, great find. It's hard for me to believe the lack of professionalism and utter gall that Ping Gong of AAA-Audio has to berate a customer on the front of his corporate website. I love how he claims to be such a saint.

The EXIF information on the photos he displays indicates that they were taken on April 4th, 2009 @ 9:52 PM with his Canon Powershot S40. The central issue is that on March 18th, 2009, Ping stated that my amplifier was repaired. See his email @ http://aaa-audio.digistic.com/#repair. Another issue is that at no point before he claimed to have repaired my amplifier did he state that my amplifier was damaged in shipping. Why didn't he take photos of the box/amplifier and inform me when he first received the package?

Only after he became irrational and angry did his story become inconsistent. On March 18th he stated my amplifier was repaired. Later that day he threatened via email to sell my property on eBay if I didn't pay return shipping which he promised to pay for in our initial agreement. See here: http://aaa-audio.digistic.com/#eBay And now in his latest communications, he claims it is irreparably destroyed and fit for a junkyard. Umm, ok...

For all I know he trashed the box on April 4th to stage a nice little photo setup. This man is a true piece of work. If you were in my shoes, how would you feel?

bacobits1 · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Apr 2009, 02:31 am »

I think I would take a trip to Boston.
Seriously!

D