Hi All,
After few weeks of very moderate and gentle use, my hypex nc122mp, connected to a SMSL DAC and manzanita speakers (see https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/fast-fun-inexpensive-ob-project.110583/post-7289387) decided to let me down.
Few minutes after a short listening session, while being switched off although still connected to power, the amp started to make some noise and emitting a dense smoke. See this video:
.
I opened it to find out two filter caps were visibly damaged, and there was liquid condensed all around, not sure whether water.
Hypex said they cannot do anything and I have to go through the manufacturer, which happens to be a chinese no brand assembler selling on taobao who just put the Hypex card in a box with cables and a switch, is unlikely to provide any post sale assistance or warranty.
Shall I throw it to the garbage or what?
Any reason why this may have happened, shall I stay away from Hypex, how to prevent this in the future? Any tip is welcome.
D
After few weeks of very moderate and gentle use, my hypex nc122mp, connected to a SMSL DAC and manzanita speakers (see https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/fast-fun-inexpensive-ob-project.110583/post-7289387) decided to let me down.
Few minutes after a short listening session, while being switched off although still connected to power, the amp started to make some noise and emitting a dense smoke. See this video:
I opened it to find out two filter caps were visibly damaged, and there was liquid condensed all around, not sure whether water.
Hypex said they cannot do anything and I have to go through the manufacturer, which happens to be a chinese no brand assembler selling on taobao who just put the Hypex card in a box with cables and a switch, is unlikely to provide any post sale assistance or warranty.
Shall I throw it to the garbage or what?
Any reason why this may have happened, shall I stay away from Hypex, how to prevent this in the future? Any tip is welcome.
D
Attachments
Looks to me as though the primary caps of the integrated smps overheated. I would blame hypex at the first instance, not of the chinese manufacturer. These modules are quite densely packed which multiplies the risk of over-heating.
I do not think that Hypex are obliged to, as the buying contract is not with them. The chinese seller has to provide support and may call for balance Hypex afterwards.
Has it crossed your mind that they could be clones, send some pictures of it to Hypex if you haven't already. Comparing your picture with some from their website they do look different 
Actually I've sent the same picture above to Hypex mentioning it was from a chinese manufacturer, but they didn't mention the possiblity of a clone.
It was cheaper than in Europe but still, approx. 350EUR, I didn't think it could be a fake.
Hypex said it's 7 years old, like there's no more post-sale assistance, although it's still on their website... Anyhow I'll give a try with the chinese manufacturer, just in case...
Thanks,
D
It was cheaper than in Europe but still, approx. 350EUR, I didn't think it could be a fake.
Hypex said it's 7 years old, like there's no more post-sale assistance, although it's still on their website... Anyhow I'll give a try with the chinese manufacturer, just in case...
Thanks,
D
Strange that both blew after quite some use. Is it possible to switch it to 120V instead of 240V?
If you know a little about electronics, a repair would be worth a try. This is at the very start= input of the SMPS. So the function of parts is easy to guess.
Removing the blown caps and the rectifier would be my first step. Then measure around the next stages. If you are lucky the rest of the cirquit is still working. These caps and rectifier should be around 20€.
You may as well remove the complete SMPS and replace it with a Hypex standard part.
The Chinese vendor will tell you to send it back, after some requests even provide an adress in China. This will result in huge postage to be paid by you and your amp getting lost in transit. It is the same every time... They know what they sell and have collected your money, so no interest in you any more. Also, defective parts do not pass through the Chinese customs and get scraped I was told.
If you know a little about electronics, a repair would be worth a try. This is at the very start= input of the SMPS. So the function of parts is easy to guess.
Removing the blown caps and the rectifier would be my first step. Then measure around the next stages. If you are lucky the rest of the cirquit is still working. These caps and rectifier should be around 20€.
You may as well remove the complete SMPS and replace it with a Hypex standard part.
The Chinese vendor will tell you to send it back, after some requests even provide an adress in China. This will result in huge postage to be paid by you and your amp getting lost in transit. It is the same every time... They know what they sell and have collected your money, so no interest in you any more. Also, defective parts do not pass through the Chinese customs and get scraped I was told.
I would stay away from Hypex as far as you can. I have had no less than six Hypex products that all went up in smoke.
For me no more Hypex, never ever again.
For me no more Hypex, never ever again.
That's very unfortunate, hypex use third tier components it seems su'con or something like that, the liquid that you see is from the capacitors.
Those class D amps are usually on closed cases with bad thermal management, so they get hot and then crappy capacitors blows or some transistors throws the towel. It might be fixable but how reliable are when the manufacturer answer is ''that they are 7 years old"... seems that they know those little amps have a short life?
I would say sell the chassis, live and learn... I'm very sorry.
Really disappointing to see a company like Hypex ignores there products.
I am curious about the safety of all Hypex products by now, you are lucky that it didn’t burn your house.
I am sorry, I think this product goes to trash.
I am curious about the safety of all Hypex products by now, you are lucky that it didn’t burn your house.
I am sorry, I think this product goes to trash.
Hi Davirex,
Sorry to read about your experience, I needed Hypex service only once while completing my amp. Hypex responded very quickly in a positive way, so i only have a positive experience. I have been using Hypex for over 12 years and my amp are still doing well. I guess; you should expect to get service from your supplier and not from the OEM, since your supplier is responsible for the implementation. If their implementation is OK, they can blame Hypex.
I wish you a lot of succes.
Sorry to read about your experience, I needed Hypex service only once while completing my amp. Hypex responded very quickly in a positive way, so i only have a positive experience. I have been using Hypex for over 12 years and my amp are still doing well. I guess; you should expect to get service from your supplier and not from the OEM, since your supplier is responsible for the implementation. If their implementation is OK, they can blame Hypex.
I wish you a lot of succes.
A positive and unexpected outcome worth sharing. The the unbranded Chinese company, which I have been contacting through Taobao thanks to google translator, assemblying these amplifier sent me with no hesitation a new amplifier card, I didn't even had to return the old one as I am in Africa and cost would have been prohibitive. They didn't charge anything. The company is: https://world.taobao.com/dianpu/62572419.htm?spm=a21wu.12321156-tw.shop-area.1.75fe3bb5EnAYi7 no affiliation, just sharing as they deserve it!
Less happy with hypex, this amp is basically their card which just need a box a switch and connectors, the fault is clearly on the card. I was told it's an old card when it's still on their website and they didn't offer any assistance. Hopefully this card will work, if not next one will be from a different maker.
Cheers,
D
Less happy with hypex, this amp is basically their card which just need a box a switch and connectors, the fault is clearly on the card. I was told it's an old card when it's still on their website and they didn't offer any assistance. Hopefully this card will work, if not next one will be from a different maker.
Cheers,
D
Hallo Davirix,
Happy for you, that you can listen to music again, and your supplier could help you out, good to see your problem is solved.
Hypex sells OEM and DIY products, so there are two product ranges, and Hypex supports depending on the productrange..
If one buys a DIY product, Hypex supports directly the enduser, and my experience is they do it very well and in a cooperative way.
If one buys an endproduct from a different company, Hypex supplied their (half)product to this company, so this company is Hypex' customer, and not the enduser. This different company has to support the product, this company can then request Hypex for support.
I am sure that if they put a request at Hypex, it will be honored. In case of an illegal copy of the NC122, of which you could be the victim they will not support.
When i look at the price specified (2100), i wonder if Hypex can even supply the raw board excluding the hardware (case stc.) for this price level.
I read a lot about counterfeit products from China, so i can very well imagine it can also be the case here and that you and Hypex are both victims.
It is not my intention to discourage or insult you, but if i were you, i would be happy the problem is solved and enjoy the music.
Best regards.
Happy for you, that you can listen to music again, and your supplier could help you out, good to see your problem is solved.
Hypex sells OEM and DIY products, so there are two product ranges, and Hypex supports depending on the productrange..
If one buys a DIY product, Hypex supports directly the enduser, and my experience is they do it very well and in a cooperative way.
If one buys an endproduct from a different company, Hypex supplied their (half)product to this company, so this company is Hypex' customer, and not the enduser. This different company has to support the product, this company can then request Hypex for support.
I am sure that if they put a request at Hypex, it will be honored. In case of an illegal copy of the NC122, of which you could be the victim they will not support.
When i look at the price specified (2100), i wonder if Hypex can even supply the raw board excluding the hardware (case stc.) for this price level.
I read a lot about counterfeit products from China, so i can very well imagine it can also be the case here and that you and Hypex are both victims.
It is not my intention to discourage or insult you, but if i were you, i would be happy the problem is solved and enjoy the music.
Best regards.
Thanks Rob, is there any way to say whether it's fake or not? Hypex did not even raise this possibility. If it's counterfeit, to me it seems an excellent copy, I can't spot any difference looking at hypex website pictures.
Best,
D
Best,
D
Hello Davirix, I am not a Hypex expert, so i don't have this knowledge, but i read a lot of comments about parts ordered in China that later appeared to be nonconform the specs and by checking showed to be counterfeit. Problem for many companies is that it is almost impossible to fight this, because they have to do a lot of research in China and that is a hard to realise and a big investment, so they pretend there is nothing wrong. I don't say your board is counterfeit, but it is not unlikely. Thats why i mentioned that in your case i would be happy that the supplier sorted it out. If you buy a NC 122 based amp from Europe, say Audiophonics it will cost E400, while what you paid for it is considerably less than E 300 (2100 renminbi a 0.13). So i would say enjoy it and be happy the supplier sorted it out. Maybe if your amp uses genuine Hypex, your supplier can sort it out together with Hypex. But in that case you won't notice either from Hypex or your supplier.
Enjoy the music!
Enjoy the music!
Hi Davirix,
good news you got a replacement from the seller, gives us some faith in dealing with internet sellers. How is this one performing.
good news you got a replacement from the seller, gives us some faith in dealing with internet sellers. How is this one performing.