828mk3 Started Smoking...

[galileoslastdays]

I have only used it about 4 times or so since I received it in January. Today I had some free time, finally to set up my recording and it started to smoke within a few seconds. I turned it off quickly and unplugged it, then registered a tech support ticket.

Is this common? It's been slightly over 120 days - how are these things generally handled? I have found next to no warranty info on the website and I'm not near the box to check it out. I'm a little nervous about it.

Thanks all.

[Mark S]

take away the car keys and look in the sock drawer for the stash!

Seriously, some earlier traveler units (as I recall) has power supply issues that did the same thing. It seemed like a problem with a production run because once the problem became an issue MOTU exchanged a number of units. And we haven't heard of this in some time.

I've been fairly happy with the physical hardware. I have other issues with support but having said that,...

You are right on target to get a tech ticket going. Let us know here how they deal with this. If they don't reply in the next few days call customer service, not tech support. Things move faster that way.

[galileoslastdays]

lol. At this rate, I could use the stash.

I miscacl'd - looks like I'm just over the 90 day mark. I hope they honor the 90 day deal since it's so close. I really can't afford to replace it, particularly after only a few months.

[galileoslastdays]

Oh yeah - the smoke was coming out of the left side, not the side where the PSU was, over by the preamps.

[Frodo]

Is this common?

Two things:

1. I'm totally taken by your choice of user names! It shows amazing class and depth of thought.

2. Is it common that a MOTU interface bursts into flames?

Would "yes" or "no" suffice for an answer?

[galileoslastdays]

Is this common?

Two things:

1. I'm totally taken by your choice of user names! It shows amazing class and depth of thought.

2. Is it common that a MOTU interface bursts into flames?

Would "yes" or "no" suffice for an answer?

Thanks Frodo. As musicians, I'd hope most of us have a bit of depth.

Yes/No would be great I've read elsewhere in passing that there were some burn-out issues on *something* MOTU, but I wasn't sure what.

I'm pretty sure one of my preamps went, but we'll see.

I called Customer Service and they said "Call Tech Support, that's not us. Their power was out Monday so that's why it's taken so long to get back to you."

Niiiice.

[Phil O]

Did you purchase the unit from a dealer? Some dealers will go to bat for you if the unit is close to the warranty period. I think that MOTU might also bend the rules a little for you. Also, some states have warranty laws that go beyond what the manufacturer specifies in their warranty blurbs. If it can be shown that the failure was a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer must fix it or replace it no matter how old it is. If MOTU has seen this problem before, I doubt they'll hold you to the 90 day warranty.

Let us know how you make out.

Phil

[galileoslastdays]

Did you purchase the unit from a dealer? Some dealers will go to bat for you if the unit is close to the warranty period. I think that MOTU might also bend the rules a little for you. Also, some states have warranty laws that go beyond what the manufacturer specifies in their warranty blurbs. If it can be shown that the failure was a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer must fix it or replace it no matter how old it is. If MOTU has seen this problem before, I doubt they'll hold you to the 90 day warranty.

Let us know how you make out.

Phil

After an afternoon of trying, I made it through to technical support. The guy who I spoke with was very nice and not condescending (like a lot of tech support lines these days), so no complaints there.

I pay for shipping there, they fix and ship back to me. Otherwise covered. While I'd rather having a working interface than one that needs repaired, all things considered I am happy (so far) with the transaction. I'll keep you posted.

Also - it may be related to the phantom power on channel 1, since it was on at the time.

[Mark S]

>Also - it may be related to the phantom power on channel 1, since it was on at the time.

you mean they're not made to operate with the phantom it comes with?!?!

Glad to hear the response you've gotten so far.

[galileoslastdays]

>Also - it may be related to the phantom power on channel 1, since it was on at the time.

you mean they're not made to operate with the phantom it comes with?!?!

Glad to hear the response you've gotten so far.

lol - I meant that it was likely that component that went.

[galileoslastdays]

The UPS Man tells me that today's the day...

Unfortunately, no one is home to sign for it, so I'll end up getting it tomorrow. Pretty fast turnaround.