553 on fleabay-heads up

[Denyle]

It's a dog. I bought and returned it. Mod, Feel free to delete this.

[LunchBoxHero]

Hi Denyle,

I do think it is helpful to keep the community updated on possible bad units and or scams, ebay or otherwise.

This seller does have a rather robust 100 Percent feedback (I know that is worth less and less these days with ebay's new #&$*&# feedback system, but i digress), still....

Do you know this is the same unit?

Did you return it to this seller, and if so can you elaborate on what you discovered when you tested this unit? thanks.

If you returned it was the seller helpful?

Thanks.

[Denyle]

I bought it from Sonic Circus (the previous seller), then returned it for several reasons. I'm positive it's the same unit. I don't mean any ill will toward the seller and I don't believe he's trying to scam anyone, but I do know how disappointed I'd be if I paid the going rate for a 553 and received that particular one.

I bought it non-working and it was clearly missing the op amp. Other issues I found: midband not working, both chokes non-original, OT non-original, pin 1 on the pcb snapped off, various non-original capacitors, many lifted or missing traces. I returned it with the midband working but I didn't think it was worth what I paid considering the non-original parts and condition of the pcb. Knowing all that, if you still think the price is fair, then by all means go for it. I have no dog in this race. I just thought I've give a friendly heads up.

BTW, I took the liberty of scanning the pcb for future reference:11