well I didn't listen to your tapes, but I know that with mine, sometimes the wire that connects the two spots on the digimod just comes apart... I dunno why my friend can't soldier it well. I get mad noise when that happens. Have your friend look over the digimod. If you bought the thing brand new, and all your friend did was cut the trace and solder the two points, you shouldn't have had to replace anything. $140 is wayy too much.