Not a good day.

Received my Benchmark DAC1 HDR refurbished from Benchmark Direct Factory purchase.

Hooked everything up and double checked all connections = perfect.

All volumes down for initial turn on.

I TURN IT ON: Normal safe sequence and my ZMA rattled internally WITH CLICKING and shuddered! I immediately shut it off figuring it fried my ZMA. It did FRY my right channel of KT66's. I can't get them to BIAS or BALANCE in any way.

So, I put in an old pair for my right side/ZMA, to make sure the Benchmark did not FRY the insides of my ZMA. My old quad and one pair of them had enough life in them that I could BIAS and Balance them to make sure my ZMA was okay internally! You should have heard it boiling/perking and clicking, when the DAC1 was in. I am still pissed!

I called Benchmark and talked to RORY. I explained how all hookups were triple checked and variable switch set (to variable) to run the volume control.

By default from the Factory the input mode was set in one of the digital inputs. Before I could get to the off/shut down System button (remote of my PS Audio P3), it CLICKED THE CRAP OUT OF MY ZMA AND FRIED THE RIGHT CHANNEL KT66'S AS STATED.

I made it quite clear to RORY and he knows that no matter what Input mode you turn the DAC1 on in....even without using the DAC or DAC hookup inputs to it.....it should not have done what it did. Of course, it was connected with Analog in and Analog out via my IC's.

I was brave enough: After running my ZMA direct again from ZDSD.....I hooked up the DAC1 HDR/analog already selected....and it played/but sounded like total crap (scratchy defective/unlistable) as I rode the gains of each the ZMA and DAC1's HDR volume control. So, clearly defective from factory AND IT ALMOST AND MAYBE HAS DAMAGED MY ZMA inside. I WILL HEAR AND SEE some more.
The reason I did this, is to reconfirm, all my connections and power and fuses were correct and yes they were correct. Plus, I suspected they muckin futched something, internally IN this DAC, WHEN NOT in Analog input selection, it spiked my ZMA and fried my right channel pair of KT66 tubes. So, all four KT66's need to be replaced with a NEW matched quad.

#1: I TOLD RORY, when you get it back and check it out; I want a full refund + my return shipping. He had the nerve not to give me an call tag or there UPS number to return ship.

#2: I told Rory, I want a replacement QUAD of KT66's....right channel pair fried! I need a matched quad for replacement ($140.00 + shipping from Tube Depot). Note: you can't just put a new matched pair in the right side = need to be a matched Quad.

As it is, I'm running unmatched from the old Quad as mentioned. Thank God I had those to make sure the ZMA was not fried internally (so far/so good).

NOTE: I was not using the DAC1 HDR via Coax from Transport or USB. Purchased to use as Analog input and output through DAC1 for/with HDR volume control.

Rory, just left me a voicemail: He is sending me a return label via email.
Oh get this, Rory here, actually asked me if I want a replacement! I said after frying a pair of my KT66's ($70.00 for the pair, the DAC1 just fried out and/matched Quad needed = 140.00 + shipping) and damn near frying a $5800.00 Amplfier, you got to be kidding!

I also clearly explained my history with Preamps: Decware CSP3, Audio Research LS17 SE and Linear Tube Audio. All was and were hooked up correctly, this should not have happened:  A very DEMONSTRATIVE CLICKING AND FRYING OF MY ZEN MYSTERY AMPLIFIER.

To error is human. However, when you allow a product past quality control that damages your/MY other costly equipment and/or FRY's your TUBES.....their is a cost for that:

1) I feel others should be warned.

2) I can't get paid for my Time and Anguish...BUT, full refund and buying me a new QUAD of KT66's is merited.

Benchmark is lucky, far as I can tell/so far, they are not having my Zen Mystery Amplifier rebuilt and they, paying for every dime of it.

Let me make it perfectly clear: IF the DAC1 HDR was only defective in and of itself....nothing would be posted here. HOWEVER, YOU ATTACK MY ZMA WITH YOUR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, WELL THEN, THE TRUTH GETS TOLD.

Stay tuned.

Yeah, what do you do. You can't see it coming.

Tomorrow morning I have some time to reconfirm my ZMA IS NOT damaged internally and get this piece of garbage Pre Amp DAC, on the road back to Syracuse and Benchmark. Then, follow up with Rory to see if his customer service skills have improved.

Do I want another unit, he says to me? Geez.
Ah Rory, are you listening to me and what it just did to my Amp and Tubes?  
The severe blow you just served me, merits you NO 2nd chance to ever enter my Listening Room again/Benchmark.

The only reason I brought this unit in is for Analog purposes and for some of my recordings as a Preamp.

I have finally cured myself of this disease and have been enjoying my ZMA SANS PRE, for 6 months and counting (5 months/I sold my Audio Research Pre, end of August~I had the Linear Tube Audio for a full two weeks and it was sent to me burned in to run with my ZMA/back in Nov too). There is a purity run Direct from ZDSD that boasts first hand of my NOS PLAT Tubes governing the ZMA. I am now cured after this experience. Buying more music and fine tuning my Room is now my horizon.

Thanks Jeff and I read and are glad you're enjoying your ZMA, you just got. Welcome to the club. She is something....... .

Forgot to say in my previous post, also look forward to Steve's Hitter Box, potentially helping the portion of my Redbook collection that could use it.

It was horrifying Match. The CLICKING AS IT FRIED THE RIGHT CHANNEL KT66's TUBES WAS scary.

I confirmed this morning that my ZMA is okay using the full old quad further for testing only. However, I'm shut down for now until I get my new Quad of KT66's. I see the glass as half full:
1) it did not fry my right channel or worse out on my ZMA.
2) it (Benchmark) did not fry my Ediswan's or Tungsrams and NOS RCA 0A3's.

I did get a shipping label from Rory/Benchmark and besides my refund, I want them to reimburse me for the Quad of KT66's I'm ordering today.

I have been lucky in this hobby for 37 years. The Audio Gods have been kind. Even the shipping Nazi's have not got me (so far).

This should not have happened.....some sort of spike through my ZMA from the Benchmark DAC1 HDR....as documented in my first post.

Now, to order a new Quad of KT66's.

Thanks Lon. Yes, I am pursuing the reimbursement for my KT66's to the nth degree.

I just got back from UPS/shipping back to Benchmark.

Yeah, they really dropped the ball on this refurb/trade in most likely to them? Was it touched or checked at all? Or was a label just slapped on it and on the shelf and shipped out. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. All was connected clearly and correctly from stem to stern.

Stone,

Glad it seems to be working out, that would flip me out as well.

JD

Response, I just sent to Rory:

More bad news. Besides $140 dollars in tubes that need to be replaced/destroyed. The DAC1 also destroyed the right channel of my ZMA (Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier).

When that DAC was turned on-it went through its 30 second standby/warm up flashing blue light and when it went on-it fried my Amp.

I'm in the process of filling out an RA number to send my ZMA to Decware in Peoria, IL for repair.

The DAC1 is in transit as you probably noticed and I'll keep you posted and will be in touch as well.


Larry



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


From: Rory Rall <Rory@benchmarkmedia.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2017 1:43 PM
To: LARRY B
Subject: RE: Defective Benchmark DAC1 HDR/Message from Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.




Hi Larry,



Thanks for the all the details. I’ll go over this with engineering and take a look at the HDR when it gets back. I’ll be in touch.



Best regards,




Rory Rall

Sales Mgr.

Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

203 E. Hampton Place, Ste 2

Syracuse, NY 13206

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com

It was ugly Match. Clicking and crunching, crackling FRYING. I can't get the sound and shock out of my head.

I am meticulous and clean about hooking up my gear. Especially a new piece for its initial turn on, no matter how basic.

I won't be able to call Steve and ship until next Tuesday or Wednesday. I should have him put XLR's in my baby too. 🍀

Good Luck - I hope they work it out with you.

Interesting story to say the least.  

When I read it the following thoughts occurred to me...

1) when the volume control is all the way down on the ZMA, the input is shorted directly to ground. No signal can pass through to the amplifier. It situations like this that have over the years got me into the habit of ALWAYS starting an amplifier with the volume all the way down and then slowly raise it up when you're ready to listen. That way if there is something crazy going on, you will hear it as you begin to turn up the volume and most likely turn the volume back down right away before anything bad can happen.  It is also the reason why I will not ever make an amplifier without an input gain/volume control.

2) the ZMA features an input coupling cap located between the volume control and the input stage which blocks DC voltage and subsequently protects the amp from a source or preamp failure that might cause large amounts of DC to appear on the output jack of said source.

When the amp gets here I will be very curious to see what actually happened as I can't figure out how the amp could have been damaged.  I can understand how throwing a bizarre signal such as the DAC gave it might piss off the output tubes, or even the input tubes, but can not understand how the bias circuit could have been effected.

Irregardless I am certainly sorry to hear that this happened, and your passion for the amplifier is obvious.  I should imagine most of us feel the same way about our amps...

My guess is that your DAC suffered shipping damage, ie., a micro crack in the circuit board, and had little if anything to do with their quality control.

Steve

No, I'm fairly confident when trying my original quad of tubes and switching them around.... I consistently got the Left channel to bias with ease immediately but not the right channel at all/way off. One tube glowed red in the inner at  68mA .....closest I could come, and immediately I shut down for good.

I still could be wrong. If I am....a 3 year checkup will be good and have Balanced Inputs put in.

Yes, thanks I did exactly that, took the left channel pair still perfect of the current quad put it in the right and they went haywire/so I knew/could not bias.

Now, my input tubes seem fine. I suppose I should try a different input and inverter on that right side?


Off to work I go till 10pm..... I'll check the Thread later....thanks.

Thanks Archie, I'm going to try some scenario's tomorrow. I can't believe I'm saying this but I can take losing the one pair of Edi's NOT to have to ship her out.

Damn!  

Bummer - I could see the happenstance, but that's really odd timing.

I hope Steve gets the ZMA back to you soon!

Maybe he can spinkle Pixie Dust or Tears of Clowns or something and send it back to you sounding better.

Sorry to hear about the Benchmark being fine. Weird. Hopefully the damage to the ZMA is minimal and you have it back in your hands very soon.