repair service for old school amp?

After managing a partial fix for this problem (will solve it later), I ran into another "fun" problem.

A month ago I won a used soundstream ref700s amp in cosmetically very good condition. The previous owner used it for full range/stereo duty, and I tested it in my old car with the same settings.  It worked fine.  Fast forward to last Saturday, and I installed the 700s in my truck for sub duty. So I switched it to bridged/low pass.  I confirmed all wiring was correct, turned the key to ACC, and POW/FIZZLE/CRACKLE... smoke starting pouring out of the ebay amp 

Now to confirm it was the amp, I hooked up an identical 700s (that i'm the orgininal owner of), and it ran the sub fine on the same wiring.  So I know the problem was most likely related to something wrong with the bridging circuitry of the ebay amp.

I googled for car amp repair shops and surprisingly didn't find much, but I did find this place,  JustRepairs.com, and it seems that a ballpark estimate is $120 for fixing the blown amp which is acceptable to me.

Is anyone familiar with this place or can recommend an amp repair place?

Have you guys had similar ebay experiences, or did I just get unlucky this time?

might try these guys:

http://hometown.aol.com/jandrelectronics

SS Amp repair specialists.

      Sonic    where are you?

I'm in Houston.  I bought this from an individual knowing it was used and knowing that I was taking a risk, but I am an original owner of one 700s and really wanted a second one for this budget upgrade. I set my original 700s on mids/highs duty, and it's still outperforming my expectations after sitting on a shelf for a few years... amazing amp, and I hope it lasts a few more years.

Thanks for the link tophatjimmy.  Currently I'm getting quotes from a few places including Soundstream themselves. So far SS has been the quickest responder with a reasonable low flat rate of $125.  So I might be sending it direct to SS unless I find out they don't offer a good warranty.

So now this amp will have cost me $300, but if it can be fixed I'll still consider this project a successful budget upgrade.

When I brought the smoking amp inside the house my wife asked, "My god what is that smell?" After I told her what happend she laughed and said, "That's what you get for buying ebay!"  I tell ya I get no sympathy at home.

It turned out that SS didn't want my business. So I'm sending it to  http://hometown.aol.com/jandrelectronics. Jamie was quick to call me back and answer my questions. 

$129 flat rate, includes ground shipping back and 90day warranty.