Please Help- Spectral DMA-180

clelow

New Member
Sep 10, 2018
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I just stumbled across this forum and would appreciate any help anyone is able to offer. I am the proud owner of a Spectral DMA-180 amp and a DMC-20 preamp. I have owned both pieces for about 5 years. I use the preamp on a regular basis and like it a great deal. The problem I am having is with the amp. My tech has it at his shop. The problem he is having is with the bias in one of the channels. I have contacted the manufacturer and am unable to get a schematic and I am not sure they would be willing to work on an older product like my amplifier. I would greatly appreciate a schematic, or in the alternative, if there is someone who knows these amps well that could provide counsel and instruction to my tech, I would be willing to compensate you for your time. My tech is top notch so it would not amount to a drawn out trouble shooting session. Please feel free to contact me through the forum of by PM. Thanks in advance.
 

mullard88

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2010
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All Spectral repairs must be done by the Spectral factory. If your tech has done anything to the amp, the warranty is void.

However if your tech has not done anything yet, you can call up the Spectral factory to arrange for your DMA 180 to be repaired.
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
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Right, the factory won't repair anything that someone else touched, so it'd better not be touched
 

marty

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Apr 20, 2010
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Right, the factory won't repair anything that someone else touched, so it'd better not be touched

Yeah, that sounds about right! I once had a knock down drag out argument with Rick Fryer 20 years ago when he berated me for adjusting the DC offset in the phono stage of my DMC-10. Apparently, they are the only people on earth who know how to use a voltmeter and turn a variable resistor so the voltage reads 0 DC volts. He didn't care if you worked for NASA and went to MIT or Cal Tech. He's just funny that way. Total prima donna. But I still admire him despite his eccentricities.
 
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Elliot G.

Industry Expert
Jul 22, 2010
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Yeah, that sounds about right! I once had a knock down drag out argument with Rick Fryer 20 years ago when he berated me for adjusting the DC offset in the phono stage of my DMC-10. Apparently, they are the only people on earth who know how to use a voltmeter and turn a variable resistor so the voltage reads 0 DC volts. He didn't care if you worked for NASA and went to MIT or Cal Tech. He's just funny that way. Total prima donna. But I still admire him despite his eccentricities.

I will make no comment but I was a dealer back when and all of this makes me laugh.
The absolute definition of customer service NOT
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
 

mountainjoe

Industry Expert
Mar 25, 2015
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Bay Area, California
eigenaudio.com
The absolute definition of customer service NOT
NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Lol :D

VTL is the same way - they wouldn't touch my amps unless I paid for a new set of their KT88 tubes as I had installed some Psvane KT-88s. They also wouldn't work with the SR fuses I installed in the amps and replaced them with their OEM fuses - a real pita.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Ypsilon where not only are they ok with tube rolling and aftermarket fuses, but they will advise as to what they think will work best. They will also customize any aspect of their products (within reason) and are generally very flexible in this regard.

I love VTL gear but their service costs and stipulations makes them really difficult to work with - I'm a much happier Ypsilon customer.

Cheers, Joe
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
6,774
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I cannot disagree with either Marty or Elliot. But I will say whatever caustic comments and grievances I have or had, have been sent directly to them.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
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Lol :D

VTL is the same way - they wouldn't touch my amps unless I paid for a new set of their KT88 tubes as I had installed some Psvane KT-88s. They also wouldn't work with the SR fuses I installed in the amps and replaced them with their OEM fuses - a real pita.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Ypsilon where not only are they ok with tube rolling and aftermarket fuses, but they will advise as to what they think will work best. They will also customize any aspect of their products (within reason) and are generally very flexible in this regard.

I love VTL gear but their service costs and stipulations makes them really difficult to work with - I'm a much happier Ypsilon customer.

Cheers, Joe

IMHO different topologies justify different after sales behavior from manufacturers. The VTL's have a large number of output tubes with high energy power supply, the Ypsilon are hybrids and the tubes section is separated from the power SS output section with a coupling transformer, there is no danger that faulty tubes can damage the amplifier.

Considering fuses, no responsible manufacturer will endorse audiophile fuses that have no specification sheet. I can accept they sound good, but the only technical test I have read - in a german magazine - showed they were a complete safety disaster and most were out of specification. Sometimes, in case of malfunction of equipment, damages can be very high just because we are not using the proper protection fuse.

Sometimes tube manufacturers ask for tube replacement when servicing equipment if they are not familiar with tube type - what would be the point of servicing to have an almost immediate problem due to the condition of tubes? Unfortunately we do not have reliable ways of knowing tube life time.
 

mountainjoe

Industry Expert
Mar 25, 2015
168
74
260
Bay Area, California
eigenaudio.com
IMHO different topologies justify different after sales behavior from manufacturers. The VTL's have a large number of output tubes with high energy power supply, the Ypsilon are hybrids and the tubes section is separated from the power SS output section with a coupling transformer, there is no danger that faulty tubes can damage the amplifier.

Considering fuses, no responsible manufacturer will endorse audiophile fuses that have no specification sheet. I can accept they sound good, but the only technical test I have read - in a german magazine - showed they were a complete safety disaster and most were out of specification. Sometimes, in case of malfunction of equipment, damages can be very high just because we are not using the proper protection fuse.

Sometimes tube manufacturers ask for tube replacement when servicing equipment if they are not familiar with tube type - what would be the point of servicing to have an almost immediate problem due to the condition of tubes? Unfortunately we do not have reliable ways of knowing tube life time.

I think you make good points but in the case of the tubes, they could certainly use a set of tubes they keep on hand for testing of returned equipment without requiring the customer to purchase a set. I would even be willing to pay a small amount for the loan of the tubes. VTL does in fact offer a tube "rental" option but the cost is so high that you might as well purchase new tubes.

My point is more about the attitude of the vendor in regards to support (and modifications) - and also servicing costs. Spending a couple thousand bucks on a basic checkup for a pair of mono-blocks where nothing wrong is found is kind of hard to swallow...

Cheers, Joe
 

mullard88

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2010
948
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1,588
Rick Fryer considers his products his babies and gets irritated when people modify them. It would seem that feels that everything Spectral belongs to him and he just sold us the opportunity to hear his product. One can always modify them and void the warranty. It’s part of the deal when one purchases his products. As far as I know, he has not black listed any customers. One can still buy another unit in case one destroys the unit doing modifications.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
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Rick Fryer considers his products his babies and gets irritated when people modify them. It would seem that feels that everything Spectral belongs to him and he just sold us the opportunity to hear his product. One can always modify them and void the warranty. It’s part of the deal when one purchases his products. As far as I know, he has not black listed any customers. One can still buy another unit in case one destroys the unit doing modifications.

As long as the rules are stated clearly and are well known, it is perfectly acceptable. However many times we only learn about these specific aspects after buying, as they are not written anywhere.

Things can become more complicated for international buyers if they have no distributors able to service equipment in their countries. Finding they have to send heavy equipment to the factory just to replace a 10 cent resistor is not a good thing!
 

mullard88

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2010
948
62
1,588
Perhaps Spectral will swap out the board instead of changing the resistor.

I have only experienced Spectral repair service once for a dac. At that time, it seemed like I only had to ship the board back. Spectral refused to repair it as they claim my tech has touched it.

All my other Spectrals are still working. Some are 30 years old already.
 

Elliot G.

Industry Expert
Jul 22, 2010
3,286
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Fort Lauderdale, Florida
www.bendingwaveusa.com
As long as the rules are stated clearly and are well known, it is perfectly acceptable. However many times we only learn about these specific aspects after buying, as they are not written anywhere.

Things can become more complicated for international buyers if they have no distributors able to service equipment in their countries. Finding they have to send heavy equipment to the factory just to replace a 10 cent resistor is not a good thing!

I have no problem with a manufacturer or a distributor not wanting to get involved after someone has aftermarket changed or modified the product. To me that makes sense that they would not want to assume responsibility for someone else's actions. They make excellent products but they are condescending, arrogant and non cooperative. When I was involved they had one tech and he worked part time. That made things even worse.
 

Moon-1

New Member
Feb 12, 2021
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Hello everyone who loves great music!
Maybe I can find help here on how to switch the amplifier from 100 volts to 230 volts, model 180s, voto so in the photo 100 volts. Maybe there is a photo of 230 volts?
Thank you for your help earlier.
 

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