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Beware of NAD M3 Fire Hazard

My $3k NAD M3 started shooting sparks out the top and burned the shelf that was 8" above. Luckily I was home and not sleeping or the house would have burned down. If anyone has one of these I advise them to unplug it when not in use. I took it to two different repair shops and they said it would be about $800 to just get it running and there may be board issues. They advised not to take the gamble. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do with it?
pwb
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

millercarbon3,411 posts03-16-2020 11:09amThe more time passes the more the first two posts are looking better and better.
Man oh man your just awnry, millercarbon.. It's almost funny but I stop shy of my amps fraggin' the joint. Look like a # 9 went off in there. Self destruct button.. That was bad...

Regards
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pwb OP
14 posts
 
I just looked at my audiogon history and I purchased the amp in august 2012. It was probably no more than a couple years old and in mint condition. Never had any issues with it and it was used sparingly in a second system. As far as the voltage I am just guessing it is 110. I thought everyone is either 110 or 220. 
I sent 2 emails to Lenbrook yesterday but have not received a response.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
 As far as the voltage I am just guessing it is 110. I thought everyone is either 110 or 220. 
  
Well mine stays a 117 via variac for the older stuff, (I use seldom anymore) or 120 for all the new stuff on the button. Maintaining 120 VAC is VERY important, brownouts use to be the number one killer of PS in this area (Bay Area). They would hoover at 105, till night time came then they would spike. New 20KV line upgrade from 8KV, night and day.. I hadn't lost a piece of gear in YEARS (35) till just the other day, bone head move on my part..Couldn't STOP the burning because of the conditioners, never happened before..

The little Wyred4Sound SX1000 (I think) when it popped a cap, nothing like this guys for sure.. I still have it, I was gonna swap the ICE board..
PE had them in stock..


Regards
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
As far as the voltage I am just guessing it is 110. I thought everyone is either 110 or 220
A G R E A T many devices today are still rated 117v. [NAD M3 is 120v]

120v became the US standard in 1967. 120v +5% is 126v which is 107.6% of 117v. It’s not much of an issue for solid state gear with regulated supplies, but in tube, particularly vintage, gear the extra volts can come very close to cap ratings. A Bucking Transformer to lower the voltage to rated is a handy toy. See http://www.ielogical.com/Audio/BuckTrans.php

It’s always a good idea to have a volt meter displaying voltage. A Kill-O-Watt or similar is close enough. Verify with a calibrated Fluke or similar.
D O N ’ T use is as a power meter, except for light loads and brief times.

Back in LA, we had line voltages meters in the studio. No point trying to record if the voltage was all over the map or dragging down to a brown out. Ditto listening to the HiFi.
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