UPDATE #2, April 7, 2024: I am bumping this to 5 Stars, why? Kinter reached out to me and offered a FULL REFUND of my Amp, Kinter MA170. I didn't expect any sort of refund, after all, the unit was Waaaay past the 30 day return window. However, Kinter DID NOT want me to return it, apologized for the error of my getting a refurbished unit and not a new one. I actually told them I didn't expect or even want a full refund, but would accept a 50% refund, so after a message or 2 between Kinter and myself, Kinter gave me a 100% refund. This was, and is way above your normal customer service, it shows me Kinter cares about their product line, and their customers satisfaction. I also told Kinter what the main cause of the issue causing the Amp to randomly turn off/on, or just shut down was, that the Amp heatsink was too long, that it needed to be shimmed down by 2/32 of an inch to prevent contact with the Amp IC leads. Kinter also stated they upgraded the Amp IC, which is a little smaller, but they still used the same heatsink from the older Amp IC. And the person I messaged with is also passing my heatsink fix on to the manufacturer for implentation. Hence the shorting issue that occurred in my Amp, that caused the issues I had will be corrected. Which I had fixed, info on the fix can be found in my April 1, 2024 UPDATE below. So, this is why I am bumping my review of the Amp to 5 stars. Also, after correcting the oversized heatsink, so it no longer made contact with the Amp IC leads, I let my Amp operate continually in my shed for 6 days NON-STOP, in those 6 days, the Amp operated 100% normally, no drop outs, no shut downs, no random going off/on. Now that my fix is in place, the Amp has functioned far exceeding my expectations. So, yes, I can recommend this Amp and this Seller. Top notch 1st rate customer service that was above and beyond. ======= END April 7, 2024 UPDATE #2 ======= UPDATE April 1, 2024: I am bumping this up to 3 stars, mainly due to I found the PRIMARY ISSUE causing many of these units to stop working, or going off/on randomly when music is being output through the amp. And it is a simple fix, but WILL REQUIRE you to open the unit and take it apart, and I'll tell you what I found, and what I did to correct the issue. I removed all 10 screws, 4 from back panel, 4 on front panel, 2 screws from right side[these screws are a different size and type, they secure the main case housing through the amp IC heatsink, don't mix them up with the other 8 screws that hold the back and front faceplates to the main case!] You'll need to remove all knobs to access the securing nut on each, the main volume knob nut is recessed and will require a deep socket, or long needle nose pliars[I used needle nose pliars] to remove it[and the other nuts on the Bass and Treble components], beware, once you remove the nuts, the Bass and Treble knobs have a securing ring[slips on/off] on them behind the faceplate. Don't lose them, you'll need to put them back on the Bass and Treble knobs BEFORE reinstalling the faceplate over the shafts. Do this step[remove knobs and retaining nuts] PRIOR to removing the screws that holds the faceplate on. Once the nut has been removed from the volume control, slide the clear plastic ring off the shaft, there are 2 small protrusions on the back of this plastic piece, either one fits over the power indicator RGB color changing L.E.D. to hold it in place properly. Once opened you can change out this L.E.D. for any color L.E.D. you'd like to use, just make sure the polarity matches correctly + to +, - to -, or remove the L.E.D. entirely, your choice. Now remove the 4 screws holding the faceplate to the main casing, if you have already removed the 4 back screws, and now have the front faceplate removed, gently slide, by pushing the entire assembly minus faceplate out the back of the main case. You'll see a metal casing over the Amp IC, this is the heatsink that screws to the main casing. And this heatsink is what caused my unit to initially fail! After touching up some of the solder areas, I tested the Amp, but forgot to place the heatsink back over the Amp IC. The Amp played for over an hour, no issues UNTIL I realized I had not placed the heatsink back over the Amp IC, as soon as I put the heatsink on, less than a few seconds the Amp started randomly going off/on, or completely off, started up all over again. I used the needle nose pliars to place, and remove the heatsink. Okay, issue is back...why? I found the heatsink was making contact with the EXPOSED METAL LEADS of the Amp IC. I got out my dremel tool and shimmed the heatsink down 2/32" at ONLY THE AREA THAT COVERS THE AMP IC! DO NOT SHIM THE WINGS WHERE THE SCREW HOLES ARE! So, I took my dremel tool[adjustable speed, set it at #1 on the dial] and then ground off 2/32 of an inch of metal off the [open area that slides down over the Amp IC] heatsink, replaced the heatsink, no more random onn/off, no more Amp turning off all sound. Chances...
