my reasons to never again use CIA Engineering

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

well, as most of you know, i have an xx-goliath that i have been waiting for some time now to get back from CIA engineering. first, a little background, i bought the amp off of forum member BigOso, and after 2 days of use, it crapped out. well, i sent it off to CIA, and within three weeks of me shipping it out, they had repaired it and sent it back. so problem fixed right? haha, wrong. well, after only an hour of use this time, it goes right back into protection mode, same exact symptoms as last time, and ever since then, i have been in hell trying to get info from them about it, and get it back. well these are the details of them lying to me about deadlines, making up excuses why it isnt done, and a story of me and my amp, plenty of reason to suggest others to never use them.

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 7:35 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Joe,

this is brandon with the xx-goliath that was repaired and sent back to me last week. i had an aopportunity to install the amp today and test it out, and it worked perfectly at one ohm for about an hour i would say, then i hear a very loud popping noise, almost like a firecracker, then it went back into protect again. this amp is really starting to frustrate me man. when i unhooked everything and took the amp out of my car, i can hear something rolling around loose inside of it. i know that you all have a 90 warranty on the amps once u repair them, i was wondering how i need to go about taking care of this. thanks in advance.

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 7:51 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Brandon, the only thing we did was to re-install seven broken output fets and the sil-pad insulators that were missing.

If you heard popping and cracking, something blew in either the power supply or the output. Your amp was tested three times and burned in under a 2 ohm load for 1.5 hrs.

We'll have to check it out and see whats up with it at 1 ohm.

Our warranty only covers parts and labor on what we repaired.

Send it in and we'll get to the bottom of the problem.

email me your set up also so I can try to figure out what might have caused the amp to blow mosfets and go into protect.'thanks,

jk

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 2:15 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

i was running it on two kicker fifteens, dual 4 ohm coils wired in parallel to a one ohm load.

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 2:09 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

I've got to assume that maybe there were more mosfets that were cracked at the solder joint that just weren't ready to break. Thats why I usually replace all at one time.

I guess I was just trying to save you a couple bucks. Sorry for that. When I get the amp, I'll open it up, take pics for you and we'll go from there, Cool?

jk

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Friday, November 24, 2006 4:48 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

ok. the amp is now on its way back to you. i sent it out via fedex today, so i assume u will recieve it tuesday or wednesday of next week. after i had dropped it off, i realized i had completely forgotten to tape my contact info to the top. and to your earlier email, yes, after it initially went into protect, i turned my vehicle off, when i turned it back on, there was one loud popping noise, almost like a firecracker, i didnt hear any cracklng or sizzling. i hope this helps you find the cause this time. thanks again for you work and patience.

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 11:46 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey Joe, jsut wondering if you have had a chance to find my amp and examine it yet, or what a reasonable timeframe is i can expect you to have a chance to do it is? thanks

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 5:19 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Hi Brandon,

Finally got a chance to dive into the amp.

Turns out, just as we suspected. Apparently there were a few more mosfets that were cracked at the base and when I put the clips back on, that was all it took and they, too, broken at the solder joint.

When you fired it up, the broken connection arced and blew. Thats the pop sound you heard.

With your permission, I think our best bet is to go through each mosfet, power and output, and if any remotely feel cracked, take them out and replace with new. I'll go ahead and hand solder each mosfet joint to insure a proper connection.

Let me know if this is the way you want to go. I don't feel comfortable just replaceing the broken and blown ones. I feel we'll just run into the same situation again. So, basically, we're wanting to do a rebuild.

Thanks,

Joe K

Click to read more...

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 7:18 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

u have my permission to replace anything on it that needs to be repaired. so you are sure it was nothign major? that large popping sound i heard sounded bad, so this is good news if true. thanks a LOT joe! just let me know!

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 6:54 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

I'm pretty sure nothing major. But there is the chance that the output driver pcb took a hit. Only one mosfet blew, the others just fell off when I took the clips off. I think we're looking extremely good in this situation. The reason that popping sound was loud, was because that one mosfet produces up to 400vdc and 23amps. So, imagine if say, ten of of the twenty four output mosfets blew at once, that would sound like a cannon going off. One fet - small caliber firearm, many fets - catastrophie!!!!

I just ordered parts late last week any they're due in thurs or fri. I'll try to get to it over the weekend and keep you updated.

Thanks Man,

Joe K

CIA Engineering

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:23 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey Joe, its been about 2 weeks since i last heard from you about my amp. just wondering if you have gotten around to it yet, or if there is a backlog on the parts, or basicly just looking for some information. please let me know. thanks.

-----Original Message-----

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 4:45 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Hey Brandon,

Had to get some power supply and output mosfets that came in today, so I should have your amp done by tues.

Thanks,

JK

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 8:41 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, anything new on my front?

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 10:30 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

I've got the amp apart and yes, I'm waiting on the output driver pcbs. I do have a tech ready to repair driver pcbs but those parts won't be here until Jan.15.

I'll keep you updated.

thanks,

JK

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 4:30 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

ok cool. so does this mean you found more wrong with it than the original one mofset that was blown and the others that had fallen off?

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 9:22 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Hey Brandon,

just to let you know, I'll be working on your amp this weekend until I get it up and running.

I decided to just go ahead and rebuild the whole thing. Power supply and Output section, so essentially, you'll have a "new" amplifier.

Parts and Labor are on me, just pick up the return shipping when it's done.

JK

----- Original Message -----

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:05 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, its been a little over a week since we last spoke, and i know you were expecintg some parts to come in today. did they come in? do you have a new timeframe for me to expect? thanks man.

-----Original Message-----

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 7:20 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Should be done with your amp weds or thurs.

I want to give it some extra time on the burn-in bench and test it out in my truck, cool?

Joe K

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 6:06 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey man, just wondering how the testings going...

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 6:09 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Well, for one thing, your amp blew my 2 ohm sub.(that poor sub was testing amps for almost four years, so it's about time it blew)

Bench test is OK, it goes to the burn bench today, my vehicle over the weekend, labeled and sent to you on Monday if everything is OK

Joe K

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 5:44 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, all the testing go good over the weekend and in your vehicle?

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:39 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Testing went well on the bench and in vehicle. The only thing I need to know is what voltage does your head unit put out, or what head unit you have, so I can test to that specific voltage and set the "level" for you.

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 4:27 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

glad to hear all the testing went well. any idea when it will actually be shipped and on its way back to me?

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 7:20 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

pulling it out of my vehicle today, want to bench test it one more time, then off to shipping and should be back on its way by friday.

Joe K

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:59 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

please try to get it out by this week at the latest, that will save a few days of shipping time if it didnt go out until next week. im not trying to be impatient or rush you, im just really ready to hear some bass again. im an addict, lol.

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:43 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

will Do!

Joe K

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:55 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, i was looking back through all of the emails and didnt see my contact info listed so i thought i would send them to you so getting it sent off tomorrow and finally on its way back to me wont have any hick-ups. also, i assume it passed all tests and has a clean bill of health now?

heres my contact info :

xxxxxx

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 6:35 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Thanks!

Theres a note on my desk from shipping requesting that information.

It's packed and waiting for a ship label and pick up.

Joe K.

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 4:38 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, never recieved a call today, was it shipped out?

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 3:55 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

It's waiting for UPS right now,

I'll email the tracking number to you when I get them from shipping.

Joe K

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 4:23 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

ever get the tracking numbers joe? or has it been shipped out yet is the real question...

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 7:38 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Just got to your trak #:

1ZR76A520397640569.

Picked up this evening. Can start to track in the am.

Sorry for the delay. Spent friday,sat sun and half of today in the hospital.

Seems someone sent me brown recluse spider

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 9:08 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

were you able to find out why the tracking number only shows as billing received and not actually shipped or picked up yet? i know you said it was picked up on monday evening, im just wondering whats going on, im so anxious to get it back

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 10:21 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

I just put a call into UPS to see whats up.

They're checking to see if it was scanned at the warehouse.

I'll keep you updated as soon as I find out.

Joe K

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 8:23 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, im gonna be away from my computer today, so im just gonna give u a call later today to see what you have found out.thanks.

brandon

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 8:04 AM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Hi Brandon,

Just got back from the UPS warehouse with 17 boxes, of which your's is one.

Just gotta go through them to make sure theres no damage and everything is still working. The truck that picked up on monday, was iinvolved in the 50 car pile up. I'll be going through them today and getting them back to UPS or filing the claims today.

I'll keep you updated.

Joe K.

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 4:28 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

dang. talk about bad luck. this amp has just been a curse since i bought it, i'm sorry this has been an inconvenience for both of us. i tried to call your office a couple times today, but i always got a busy tone, i guess you guys are busy. so have you had an opportunity to check them yet and give me the good news that mine was fine and is back at ups??? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 4:53 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

Yours is the only one I have check. No physical damage, powers up, tested for 4/ 2 ohms. Looking good. I still have to go through the factory specs and 1 ohm yet.

UPS told me to use the same tracking number for monday.

Your amp is safe!!!

Thanks for asking about the leg. It's just a giant, gaping, oozing ulcer looking wound, but it seems to be healing from the inside and they don't think they'll have to do any cutting. Just another scar to add to my record.

Thanks,

Joe K

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 8:04 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering Amp Repair

hey joe, just wondering if mine will be shipped out again tomorrow? im sure you have had an opportunity to check it out by now, and also, will it still have the same tracking number as the first time? thanks, hope that legs doing better

jan 5, i got this

It's all packed and ready to go.

Yes, the same tracking number will be used as was given to you.

I'll let you know when they pick up

Joe K.

then i wrote him back, monday and today, no response either day. and this is where we stand for now.. notice the lie after lie about dates. the excuses. this is why i would never refer anyone to him again

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

ok

 

[IMXELITE 10+ year member]

That is crazy man! I would have flipped, but the only thing I can see is at least he was keeping up communication with you until now. Thats a good sign I hope. I hope you can get your stuff back soon as I know how you feel I'm without a headunit right now : (

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

That is crazy man! I would have flipped, but the only thing I can see is at least he was keeping up communication with you until now. Thats a good sign I hope. I hope you can get your stuff back soon as I know how you feel I'm without a headunit right now : (

thanks man. there are several emails i wrote in that never got responded to that i didnt include in this, and in some cases, you can see he took up to a week to respond. this is just my experience, im sure some people have had great experiences with them, but i will never again deal with them

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

snoopdan to ciabusiness

show details Feb 5 (1 day ago)

Hello, this is Dan Rydzewski again inquing about my Powerbass 3000 amplifier. It has been in your shop for over 4 months now, it clearly should of been repaired by now. If it is unable to be repaired, for whatever reason, I require it to be sent back to me so I can send it to another repair facility. This has just been too unacceptably long of a wait.

------------------------------------------------------------

ciabusiness to me

show details Feb 5 (1 day ago)

Hi Dan,

I'm still trying to get the "DLM4100" subwoffer driver pcb from Powerbass.

I've talked with Chris Peterson and Kevin the repairs manager and power bass and supposedly, they're still trying to get the part. If you want, I'll send it back to you and you can try to find a repair facility than can get the part from powerbass faster. Sorry, I can repair it until I get the sub driver pcb.

Let me know what you want to do.

Thanks,

Joe K.

-------------------------------------------------

ciabusiness

show details 9:59 pm (0 minutes ago)

Joe, please just send my powerbass 3000 amp back to my address.

dan

---------------------------------------

Literally he's been blowing smoke up my *** for months. All he had to do was call powerbass the first week he got the amp and ask for the higher logic board from them.

well, at least I got it back....uh....getting it back...uhhhh I HOPE?? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

---------------------------------------------------------------------snoopdan to ciabusiness

show details Feb 5 (1 day ago)

Hello, this is Dan Rydzewski again inquing about my Powerbass 3000 amplifier. It has been in your shop for over 4 months now, it clearly should of been repaired by now. If it is unable to be repaired, for whatever reason, I require it to be sent back to me so I can send it to another repair facility. This has just been too unacceptably long of a wait.

------------------------------------------------------------

ciabusiness to me

show details Feb 5 (1 day ago)

Hi Dan,

I'm still trying to get the "DLM4100" subwoffer driver pcb from Powerbass.

I've talked with Chris Peterson and Kevin the repairs manager and power bass and supposedly, they're still trying to get the part. If you want, I'll send it back to you and you can try to find a repair facility than can get the part from powerbass faster. Sorry, I can repair it until I get the sub driver pcb.

Let me know what you want to do.

Thanks,

Joe K.

-------------------------------------------------

ciabusiness

show details 9:59 pm (0 minutes ago)

Joe, please just send my powerbass 3000 amp back to my address.

dan

---------------------------------------

Literally he's been blowing smoke up my *** for months. All he had to do was call powerbass the first week he got the amp and ask for the higher logic board from them.

well, at least I got it back....uh....getting it back...uhhhh I HOPE?? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

good luck man. if all else fails, thats my next move also.

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

unfortunately all we can do is blackball them on the fourms, but seeing that 1/4 of their bread and butter is fourm word of mouth, they might feel the sting. But they have a contract with maxxonics, which makes me wonder how fed up with CIA maxxonics is.

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

unfortunately all we can do is blackball them on the fourms, but seeing that 1/4 of their bread and butter is fourm word of mouth, they might feel the sting. But they have a contract with maxxonics, which makes me wonder how fed up with CIA maxxonics is.

im guessing maxxsonics probably doesnt even care. we'll see soon. when/IF i ever get my amp back, ill be contacting mike stiers to tell him how shitty there authorized repair center is, and forwarding this thread to joe and the other thread, to show him that customer service should be taken more seriously.

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

just for the record, joe knows who is posting in this forum, so if you still have an amp with him as i do, be careful what you say

 

[bamaboy 5,000+ posts]

ouch this is getting crazy...im happy he did me good, he was a great guy, even gave me a new heatsink when ups fugged it up

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

ouch this is getting crazy...im happy he did me good, he was a great guy, even gave me a new heatsink when ups fugged it up

yea, i have no problems with joe himself, hes been fairly good about returning my emails, i mean a couple he hasnt responded to, but he probably gets 234897345 a day too. and even with my amp repair,the first time i sent it to him it was fixed and returned within 3 weeks. the only thing in the whole situation that gets me is the deadline after deadline that has come and gone. but he is doing my repairs for free since it has taken so long, and insures me with his bottom dollar that it will be sent out monday for sure.

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

but he probably gets 234897345 a day too.

he has that chick that works there who's job it is to manage that kinda thing...but I guess it doesnt matter anymore, they'll be getting far fewer calls now //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

here is the latest emails for an update:

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 11:26 AM

Subject: CIA Engineering

Brandon,

Sorry I haven't returned your emails. Actually just getting around to them.

Decided to keep your amp and change out the rebuilt driver pcb with a new one when I recieved the parts I was waitng on. Cancell the UPS track number. Will have the new track number for you on monday. Also would like to know if you want insurane on the retun shipping for Monday.

Joe K.

Joseph D. Kotyuk

Chief Engineering Operative

CIA Engineering

814-922-3713

________________________________________________

From: daclown23@aim.com

To: ciabusiness@netzero.net

Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 1:02 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering

ok, so it was packed up and ready to go then you suddenly decided to rebuild it? this story just keeps getting better. but yes, i would like 2k worth of insurance(the cost of a new amp) on the return shipping. so what are the odds, realisticly, that it will actually be shipped out next monday?

_______________________________________________

From: ciabusiness@netzero.net

To: daclown23@aim.com

Sent: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 1:52 PM

Subject: Re: CIA Engineering

Well, I recieved the parts the day I was going to send your amp to you and I want your amp to be as close to 100% brand new as possible so I don't have to keep hearing you slam me on forums. SO, Thats why I decided to install the BRAND new part. You can bet your bottom dollar that that amp will be on its way to you on monday for SURE!

Joe K.