CA-F1 Damaged from improper packing

[Thumpy]

This story took place a couple of years ago. I bought a Sansui CA-F1 preamp on eBay. I realize that the CA-F1 isn't the most exotic preamp out there, but I like the sound and it isn't the easiest preamp to find, especially in exceptional condition, which this one appeared to be.

Check out the pictures. Note the 7 dents in the cardboard box from the knobs (there are 7 knobs across the front of the CA-F1). Note the bent shafts. Note also that the box is f*cking SMALLER than the preamp! I believe the CA-F1 started out being packed at an angle so it would fit in the box! Finally (and this is unbelieveable to me), UPS paid the claim even though IMHO they absolutely were not at fault on this one!

The chassis was bent. All of the knob shafts were bent and a couple of the pots were sheared off the PCB. The PCB itself was cracked in a couple of places. I soldered the traces and the damned thing powered up! The lack of original parts makes restoration unlikely. It's a damned shame, too. It looked to be in great condition before shipping :cry:
I still have it if anyone needs parts (or has the parts for me to fix it!)

[RobV]

This story took place a couple of years ago. I bought a Sansui CA-F1 preamp on eBay. I realize that the CA-F1 isn't the most exotic preamp out there, but I like the sound and it isn't the easiest preamp to find, especially in exceptional condition, which this one appeared to be.

Check out the pictures. Note the 7 dents in the cardboard box from the knobs (there are 7 knobs across the front of the CA-F1). Note the bent shafts. Note also that the box is f*cking SMALLER than the preamp! I believe the CA-F1 started out being packed at an angle so it would fit in the box! Finally (and this is unbelieveable to me), UPS paid the claim even though IMHO they absolutely were not at fault on this one!

The chassis was bent. All of the knob shafts were bent and a couple of the pots were sheared off the PCB. The PCB itself was cracked in a couple of places. I soldered the traces and the damned thing powered up! The lack of original parts makes restoration unlikely. It's a damned shame, too. It looked to be in great condition before shipping :cry:
I still have it if anyone needs parts (or has the parts for me to fix it!)
Hey Thumpy!

I think I sold you a cosmetically challenged CA-F1 and a SE-7 not long after you got that one (from a guy in Buffalo, IIRC). I figured you would combine the two to make one nice one. Are you still using the one I sold you?

RobV

[Thumpy]

Hey, man, small world! Good memory - the seller was in Buffalo. In his defense, he did not pack the CA-F1 (or so he claimed). I still have the CA-F1 and SE-7 that I got from you, but I haven't done much with them (recent move, job change, etc) other than listen to them. The CA-F1 parts swap is on my list of things to do!

[redcoates7]

People get upset with me sometimes when I request (and happily pay for) proper packaging for auction purchases, but it's stories like this one that illustrate why!

My favorite recently was a set of speakers I purchased from a seller in Southern California. The three speaker arrived in a box full of peanuts...not individually wrapped, and then packed in peanuts...just loose in the box. Thank God it was only a 1-DAY UPS ship, but they still suffered a whole host of unecssary damages....

Damn internet...I don't know sometime if the advantages of having access to all this great gear is worth having to deal with the people who own it!

Glad to hear you'll be able to get your Sansui running again!

Jeff