Black Widow [Update] - Second round official, 100 amps total, single chassis

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Oct 5, 2015.

  1. snoogans

    snoogans New

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    I fully intended on selling my BW2 when I bought the Aficionado... but I just couldn't do it. I love them both.
     
  2. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Hey guys, BW2 can be converted from 120V to 240V and back, just by swapping the jumpers on the inside. @jowls shared these pictures with me and I want to leave these here, so that someone might find it useful in the future.

    1. Jumpers: 120V version uses 2 jumpers, while the 240V uses only one. So if your unit is originally a 240V version, you most likely won't have the second jumper to convert it to 120V. You probably could make your own, but please check with Craig first.

    2. Fuse: Fuse use needs to be changed too. 0.5A fuse for the 230V version and 1A fuse for the 120V version. Fuse is in the fuse slot, right below amp's power socket.

    120V:
    image1.jpeg

    240V:
    image2.jpeg

    Fuse Slot:
    5kF7Jup.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2019
  3. RedLipstick

    RedLipstick Acquaintance

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    For the jumper can those plastic ones from pcs do?
     
  4. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    @purr1n

    Hey Marv,

    I'm considering picking up a used Black Widow (single chassis) that is in Portugal (I live in the UK)

    My one concern is ease of repair if something goes wrong. I'm fine with shipping the amp to Cali for repairs but does the amp use a lot of out of production or hard to find components?

    Any advice would be useful in my purchasing decision.

    Thanks!
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Input transistors are hard to find but replacements can be used. Craig stopped repairing non-original owner amps.
     
  6. RedLipstick

    RedLipstick Acquaintance

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    I though I read on this thread he only stopped repairing modded stuff. Have there been any problems with current owners?
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2018
  7. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Thanks for the info Marv. Good to know. I think I won't take the risk in that case.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    There were some issues with a few BW2s, all serviced from what I know. The initial BW single chassis no issues at all. FYI, I no longer work for EC and haven't been for some time, but am willing to help out and do what I can.
     
  9. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Somehow I missed this post. I am not familiar with the plastic jumpers in the PCs. I will share a close-up picture of the jumper this weekend.
     
  10. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    Howdy,
    Is Eaglewing's earlier speculation that changing the jumpers convert a 230v to 120v and vice versa? Or is there more to it?
     
  11. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    That is not speculation.
     
  12. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    Neato. And thats it to convert a 230v to a 120v? Don't need to switch out the fuses?
     
  13. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Fuse needs to be changed too. 0.5A fuse for the 230V version and 1A fuse for the 120V version. I'll add this to my original post.
     
  14. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    Sweet. Thank you for the clarification. Where is the fuse on this thing?
     
  15. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    In the fuse slot, right below the power socket.

    5kF7Jup.jpg
     
  16. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    Well that is awfully convenient. Guess I could have figured that out if I had a BW2 in front of me. Thank you.
     
  17. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Dude, seriously if you actually read above and stopped to look at the pictures it was all laid out. You shouldn’t need to post these questions and silly replies.

    I would caution even getting this amp if you have trouble with basics like this. I got my BW2 and the left channel had occasional noise. I didn’t post here or PM the seller. I opened the amp and figured out the problem and fixed it. These EC amps are for people who have some clue.
     
  18. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    Eaglewings updated his post to to include the description and photo of the location of fuse after I asked the question.

    EC amps are for everyone and not for some elitist club. I have a mechanical background and not an electrical one but I know the basics and I have the common sense to ask some basic f'ing questions before I start screwing around with a $1300 amp that second hand units are no longer serviceable by its manufacturer. And if this amp was made "for some people that have some clue" then on back of the case he wouldn't have printed:

    No User Serviceable Parts Inside
    Shock Hazard!

    Do Not Open.
    Do Not Expose Unit to Rain, Or Moisture.
    Refer Service to Qualified Personnel

    Thats a lot of words from the Craig telling to not f'ing open it. And considering that jowls and Eaglewings have had the only conversation (2 posts) about the conversion, this is the best place to ask because someone later might come along and ask the same question. It should be made public rather than a private conversation.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2019
  19. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    There will be blood!
     
  20. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Week off to cool off.
     

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