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My #@%$ Cat Destroyed My ARC REF 5SE. Soliciting Suggestions.

(Public service announcement-keep your pets away from your audio equipment)

I love my cat. But not as much as I once did :-)
The short story is cat pee corroded the main board to my ARC REF 5SE. 

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover repair or replacement because owning a pet means you assume liability/responsibility. Ironically, or strangely enough, If my neighbor's cat or dog did this, I could collect.

My options-
Repair it. Fixing it will cost 7K. The main board alone is 6K.
Buy a pre-owned replacement at close to similar price. And if I go pre-owned, what's the market on a REF 5SE with a destroyed main board.
Go in a different direction.

What would you do?

TIA,
David
128x128wharfy
axeis1
293 posts
 
I hate cats
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
😾
mambacfa
76 posts
 
Where's the sympathy here? My image of audiophiles as very nice people just took a major hit. Take no delight in "schadenfreude" and don't be quick to criticize and give advice. These guys are like Job's friends, who were the source of the cliche: "With friends like these..."

Maybe someone should compile a list of "worst things my pets and kids did to my audio system." We could all commiserate.

Sorry for your huge loss. My worst incident was my cat knocking my tonearm and taking out the stylus and cantilever from my cartridge. 


mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,195 posts
 
I concur with the last post....

I am sorry and wish you good luck!
dhite71
334 posts
 
@wharfy 

You got your answer here regarding repairs.  You can buy a replacement for the cost of the board so a repair from your perspective is not practical.  Someone that works on audio gear may be able to beat the odds and restore the piece to a level worth having.  I would put it up for auction here and eBay with full disclosure and just let someone else try their luck.  

A lot of the responses here is why I am often reluctant to post a question in the forum.  It disappoints me how so many here ignore our questions and take the opportunity to be sarcastic and often rude.

Best of luck!
Dana
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