Replace a Mirage S12 amp

[allies]

Well, my roommate got a Mirage S12 sub about two years ago and this past winter it stopped working. He's quite the procrastinator and I was studying abroad so when I got back I motivated him to go get it looked at. Since the sub is out of warranty Mirage recommended to send it to Indiana to get repaired. Didn't feel like sending there, so we took it to a local repair shop. They said they'd take a look at it, get and estimate (after the $30 non refundable downpayment, of course) and then get back to us within 3 weeks. Well, it took a few months and it's been me making the calls. Finally, I get a call on my cell today, with the dude saying the amp is dead and they'll need to replace it and the price for the amp is $750. Considering the sub was purchased for $400, I feel like this wouldn't be the best thing to do. Is there any substitute we could use, or any suggestions at all? Thanks a ton.

 

[Nohr]

I wonder if an amp from Parts-Express with the appropriate wattage (the stock amp is 300W apparently) would just swap right in. I guess you'll have to measure the Mirage's opening and see what will fit first. Don't get something with too much wattage or you may damage the driver.

 

[Excelsior]

Did you ever contact Mirage first hand? They must be able to repair that amp for no more than $100.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Did you ever contact Mirage first hand? They must be able to repair that amp for no more than $100.

Contacted Mirage and they referred me to the repair place in Indiana. Kinda pissed, didn't think Mirage was a company that screwed customers over.

 

[Soundmanred]

Originally posted by: allies

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Did you ever contact Mirage first hand? They must be able to repair that amp for no more than $100.

Contacted Mirage and they referred me to the repair place in Indiana. Kinda pissed, didn't think Mirage was a company that screwed customers over.

I thought you took it to a different repair shop than the one they asked you to take/send it to?
They usually subsidize the repair costs at shops that are certified to work on their stuff, i.e. the shop in Indiana.
It sounds more like the place you took it to is trying to screw you more than Mirage is.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: Soundmanred

Originally posted by: allies

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Did you ever contact Mirage first hand? They must be able to repair that amp for no more than $100.

Contacted Mirage and they referred me to the repair place in Indiana. Kinda pissed, didn't think Mirage was a company that screwed customers over.

I thought you took it to a different repair shop than the one they asked you to take/send it to?
They usually subsidize the repair costs at shops that are certified to work on their stuff, i.e. the shop in Indiana.
It sounds more like the place you took it to is trying to screw you more than Mirage is.

I guess I don't understand why there are only ~6 certified repair shops in the entire US. That's kind of mind blowing that each state doesn't have one... I took it to the local shop because:

1) It would have probably been ~$50 to have it sent each way (to Indiana and back)
2) For the shop there, it would have been $35 just for them to look at it and get an estimate (much like the $30 fee at the local shop).

So my buddy would've been out $85 already, just to have it looked at. Figure in the repair would probably be upwards of $150 (the guy at the Indiana shop said it wasn't uncommon for repairs to be that much) it would be at least $235 for the sub. I figured >$200 would be kind of a waste, since it could just be put towards a new sub, but <$200 might be doable, hence I took it to a local place. I'm pissed that at this local place too, but I just think it's shady that Mirage doesn't handle any repairs outside of the warranty period, and those that they support are sparsely located.

 

[Snakexor]

that mirage sub is a nice piece of equipment, i would definitely pay ~250 to get it fixed, especially since it is already broken in and I would assume setup for the room.

 

[Soundmanred]

Outside of the warranty, they don't have much responsibility, but they still want it fixed correctly and to their standards (so people don't say "I got it fixed, but it sucks, so Mirage sucks!"), so they send you to shops that they know can do it right and use the right parts. (and not scam you out of $750.)
It's one of those things that if you want it fixed right, you pay for it.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: Soundmanred
Outside of the warranty, they don't have much responsibility, but they still want it fixed correctly and to their standards (so people don't say "I got it fixed, but it sucks, so Mirage sucks!"), so they send you to shops that they know can do it right and use the right parts. (and not scam you out of $750.)
It's one of those things that if you want it fixed right, you pay for it.

Yeah, I guess it's just lame that there's a 1 year warranty on the amp. I guess I should contact the store in Indiana again and see what they say.

 

[allies]

Called the place that Mirage subsidizes... they said to replace the amp it'd be around half the price ($400) of what the local shop quoted me. Still way too much freaking money. I might try to get the 300w bash amp from PE and see if I can get it to work...