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Buyer with that age old remorse.

CharlieAudio said:
What measurement to get "70% of wattage"? I'm not very knowledgeable about audio, but I thought the job of amps was to put out the watts that speakers draw, which varies with the frequencies of the moment.
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Im assuming thats the dissipation. Im not sure if thats what is referred to as 'life' of a tube. I was also reading that its mostly worrisome when a tube is below 40% but that some amps can operate as normal at this 'life'.

Maybe some AKers have more indepth tube knowledge. Lets get 'down to the metal' as they say. Kinda like writing assembly code. not fun but helps in understanding. Ill just write C and inject some assembly to really take things over.
 
I'm going to echo the same sentiment now repeatedly stated in this thread: this was a cash sale, no warranty expressed or implied (unless you actually gave him one, which isn't reflected in the information you posted).

I've bought stuff that turned out to be dogs in short order, post purchase. I took my lumps and either repaired them, or in a couple of outlier cases, parted them out. Assuming your recounting of the transaction is truthful (and I'm absolutely giving you benefit of the doubt as an AK'er), this guy is dreaming of he thinks he has a leg to stand on to ask for - much less demand - a discount or return for a full refund, especially having "broken the seal", as it were.

The good news for you is that he paid cash, so doesn't have you over a barrel as he would with Paypal and the like. Even still, with the world such as it is anymore, I'd be somewhat concerned about a dissatisfied buyer causing me some sort of trouble if he feels like he got screwed. Many people are both self entitled and on edge these days, so you never know what crazy crap they might pull. Tread carefully.
 
This was an out of state deal I think you said? Like he drove from out of state to come buy the amp.

Just let him keep talking. I don’t think anything will come of it.
 
Every piece of used audio gear I have ever purchased I assume something needs fixing. I have been correct 95% of the time. When I am done with something and decide to sell it I always try to remind buyer it is old and may work fine for another 10 years or it may crap out next month. No different than buying a used lawn mover or a used car.
 
elitopus said:
This was an out of state deal I think you said? Like he drove from out of state to come buy the amp.

Just let him keep talking. I don’t think anything will come of it.
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flew from LA to PDX and I live in southern WA. I asked if he wanted to hear it at my house. he said the airport was fine.

Yeah he still hasnt listened to it, partly because he said he doesnt have a preamp, he said. I played along with him to see what the second opinion said and when i finally was like, "Sorry man, its vintage, it worked fantastic when i sold it to you, first it was the tubes are at 30% now they are 70%, they are fine. enjoy it."
He immediately went to "I've been looking into small claims".
Ill just let it fester.
 
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So many things could be different in his setup, like speaker impedance and efficiency and load matching. You could just show the judge a picture of a normally functioning 12ax7 glowing dimly to prove he doesnt have a clue how a tube amp works as that was his first complaint wasnt it?
 
Megaladoink said:
flew from LA to PDX and I live in southern WA. I asked if he wanted to hear it at my house. he said the airport was fine.

Yeah he still hasnt listened to it, partly because he said he doesnt have a preamp, he said. I played along with him to see what the second opinion said and when i finally was like, "Sorry man, its vintage, it worked fantastic when i sold it to you, first it was the tubes are at 30% now they are 70%, they are fine. enjoy it."
He immediately went to "I've been looking into small claims".
Ill just let it fester.
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This is why you qualify your customers. Someone gets in over their head and Lord knows what they do to the equipment. You can tell them to kick rocks and it might not go smoothly. Conversely, if you try to help they may end up thinking nothing was really wrong on what they did and they got swindled. Sometimes telling someone not going to sell it is the most prudent answer.
 
So dude send me the invoice for the "second opinion" shop.. All caps and resistors are fine. Including the ones called out by the first shop. :)
Amp output 70watts with 0.5% IM Distortion. Pretty spot on.
A few things struck me as odd on the rest..
Code: 
"KT88' tested low against our MC275 KT88's."
When i test tubes on my crappy EICO tube tester, im not doing comparison, the Tube Tester is telling me what its value it.

Code: 
"12ax7's tested strong and the 12az7's tested weak."
okay..also what against another mc275... and maybe it was a new version..but im thinking, if the amp is outputting close to expected Watts... tubes are probably working pretty good.. of course they need to be individually tested on a tester and dont most tester provide a printout? or at least provide the readings

service details says: "possible low, power possible"

Then he was sent an invoice for fixing the amp, meaning remove old tubes and install new ones, at "$580 parts, "$520 labor.

I replied, yet again that its used electronics and since the wattage is fine he should at least listen to it. Enjoy your amp"
 
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CharlieAudio said:
I'm not very knowledgeable about audio, but I thought the job of amps was to put out the watts that speakers draw, which varies with the frequencies of the moment.
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The job of the amps is to put out the watts that the operator using the volume control or input level controls on the amp sets the amp watt output up to the limit of the amplifier. Speakers do not draw watts, they receive them and consume them. If fed too little there is not much sound. If fed too much the speaker can break.
 
If somehow our broken legal system requires you to buy him a new set of tubes at least get your old tubes back because I would guess they still have life. And be sure to show the judge how easy it is to change tubes, $520 labor to change tubes? How do some people sleep at night, and I am referring to the buyer and tech.
 
One thing I notice is, an electronics tech available immediately. Two shops near me are on 3 month waits minimum.
Maybe it's nicer out wherever but seems weird. But man, sorry you got sucked into this weird paranoia inducing guilt trip.
Seems I would have stopped after step one but that is just me. I assume it went for a few bucks and that is why you feel guilty or whatever.
I think it also because it is your baby and you still want to protect it, even though you gave it for adoption, genes and all.
I felt that way for a couple of vehicles, some type of future hope.
I didn't read all of the posts but was doing some research on selling and came across this. Hope you get some peace.
 
Heres a photo and my listing simply says "gorgeous. amazing condition. contact for offers. with manuals and original box". and used as condition. and geez... looking at the pics the KT-88s have actually really good script. the guy is trippin
Screenshot 2023-08-05 at 8.23.05 AM.pngScreenshot 2023-08-05 at 8.25.40 AM.png
 
Expecting a used tube amp which clearly comes with the original tubes, to have tubes which test as new, is ridiculous.

It makes 70W, the tubes have some hours on them as you'd expect, but aren't dead. He's probably just bluffing and trying to make you give him money. Tell him clearly you sold him a used amplifier as-is, and to not communicate with you anymore.
 
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