Replacing broken amp components - any good repairers?
Discussion
I have a nice but broken amp that is out of warranty and the manufacturer has stopped stocking parts (helpful...).
I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
They have, however, provided some circuit diagrams for analysis / reference.
So, has anyone used / can recommend a good repair person / shop to replace components on circuit boards, for example?
I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
They have, however, provided some circuit diagrams for analysis / reference.
So, has anyone used / can recommend a good repair person / shop to replace components on circuit boards, for example?
I've got a couple of amps waiting for repair myself.
It's fun as a DIY activity.
To get involved on a commercial basis is awkward, the problem is:
1) it can take a long time to properly diagnose the problem.
2) knock-on effects mean that other components may have failed or are likely to fail after the repair.
3) it's an old amp, so if one part has died of old age, other parts are on their way to the same fate.
4) Used amps are cheap. Parts are relatively expensive.
5) If you've got a 20 year old amp, the exact same parts may not be available.
I've got an Arcam amp in the loft. It has a scratchy volume control and a bit of a buzz. I can't get the exact volume pot, so any repair will look a bodge. Sorting out the buzz will probably take several hours and a few parts.
So I bought another one which works for £70 and will sort the old one when I feel like it.
Someone like me might sort your amp and charge £15 an hour plus parts, you'd be miffed if it died again after a month or so.
Obviously, some people specialise in XYZ upgrade/repair and can sort an amp they are familiar with in minutes. Others will charge more per hour and take a lot of time.
It's a bonkers corner of ebay. Some amps seem to attract more interest as 'parts or not working ' some hobbyists can't resist.
It might be different if it's worth £1000 as a working amp.
It's fun as a DIY activity.
To get involved on a commercial basis is awkward, the problem is:
1) it can take a long time to properly diagnose the problem.
2) knock-on effects mean that other components may have failed or are likely to fail after the repair.
3) it's an old amp, so if one part has died of old age, other parts are on their way to the same fate.
4) Used amps are cheap. Parts are relatively expensive.
5) If you've got a 20 year old amp, the exact same parts may not be available.
I've got an Arcam amp in the loft. It has a scratchy volume control and a bit of a buzz. I can't get the exact volume pot, so any repair will look a bodge. Sorting out the buzz will probably take several hours and a few parts.
So I bought another one which works for £70 and will sort the old one when I feel like it.
Someone like me might sort your amp and charge £15 an hour plus parts, you'd be miffed if it died again after a month or so.
Obviously, some people specialise in XYZ upgrade/repair and can sort an amp they are familiar with in minutes. Others will charge more per hour and take a lot of time.
It's a bonkers corner of ebay. Some amps seem to attract more interest as 'parts or not working ' some hobbyists can't resist.
It might be different if it's worth £1000 as a working amp.
OutInTheShed said:
I've got a couple of amps waiting for repair myself.
It's fun as a DIY activity.
To get involved on a commercial basis is awkward, the problem is:
1) it can take a long time to properly diagnose the problem.
2) knock-on effects mean that other components may have failed or are likely to fail after the repair.
3) it's an old amp, so if one part has died of old age, other parts are on their way to the same fate.
4) Used amps are cheap. Parts are relatively expensive.
5) If you've got a 20 year old amp, the exact same parts may not be available.
I've got an Arcam amp in the loft. It has a scratchy volume control and a bit of a buzz. I can't get the exact volume pot, so any repair will look a bodge. Sorting out the buzz will probably take several hours and a few parts.
So I bought another one which works for £70 and will sort the old one when I feel like it.
Someone like me might sort your amp and charge £15 an hour plus parts, you'd be miffed if it died again after a month or so.
Obviously, some people specialise in XYZ upgrade/repair and can sort an amp they are familiar with in minutes. Others will charge more per hour and take a lot of time.
It's a bonkers corner of ebay. Some amps seem to attract more interest as 'parts or not working ' some hobbyists can't resist.
It might be different if it's worth £1000 as a working amp.
Unfortunately I think the last line is the case here... It's fun as a DIY activity.
To get involved on a commercial basis is awkward, the problem is:
1) it can take a long time to properly diagnose the problem.
2) knock-on effects mean that other components may have failed or are likely to fail after the repair.
3) it's an old amp, so if one part has died of old age, other parts are on their way to the same fate.
4) Used amps are cheap. Parts are relatively expensive.
5) If you've got a 20 year old amp, the exact same parts may not be available.
I've got an Arcam amp in the loft. It has a scratchy volume control and a bit of a buzz. I can't get the exact volume pot, so any repair will look a bodge. Sorting out the buzz will probably take several hours and a few parts.
So I bought another one which works for £70 and will sort the old one when I feel like it.
Someone like me might sort your amp and charge £15 an hour plus parts, you'd be miffed if it died again after a month or so.
Obviously, some people specialise in XYZ upgrade/repair and can sort an amp they are familiar with in minutes. Others will charge more per hour and take a lot of time.
It's a bonkers corner of ebay. Some amps seem to attract more interest as 'parts or not working ' some hobbyists can't resist.
It might be different if it's worth £1000 as a working amp.
lolRSTurboPaul said:
<snip>
I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
<snip>
I repaired amps etc. for a living back in the 80's - if I had a £1 for every time someone said "I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out" I'd be rich.I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
<snip>
Oh, and 95% of the time it was never a simple repair (especially with high powered amps which tend to indulge in self destruction).
TonyRPH said:
RSTurboPaul said:
<snip>
I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
<snip>
I repaired amps etc. for a living back in the 80's - if I had a £1 for every time someone said "I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out" I'd be rich.I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
<snip>
Oh, and 95% of the time it was never a simple repair (especially with high powered amps which tend to indulge in self destruction).
It is not helping my worries
lolIt's mentioned in a couple of articles I've read, standard repair procedure for some amps is 'replace all the semiconductors'.
If it's old, you probably want all the caps replaced?
The components are often not that expensive.
But you have to question whether it will ever be the same as when new.
And you'd want some proper testing done.
It could be a lot of hours of labour.
If the manufacturer is still in business, they may repair/upgrade it.
It doesn't actually cost them much to put a whole new amp PCB in the old box.
If it's old, you probably want all the caps replaced?
The components are often not that expensive.
But you have to question whether it will ever be the same as when new.
And you'd want some proper testing done.
It could be a lot of hours of labour.
If the manufacturer is still in business, they may repair/upgrade it.
It doesn't actually cost them much to put a whole new amp PCB in the old box.
RSTurboPaul said:
I have a nice but broken amp that is out of warranty and the manufacturer has stopped stocking parts (helpful...).
I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
They have, however, provided some circuit diagrams for analysis / reference.
So, has anyone used / can recommend a good repair person / shop to replace components on circuit boards, for example?
What amp is it?I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
They have, however, provided some circuit diagrams for analysis / reference.
So, has anyone used / can recommend a good repair person / shop to replace components on circuit boards, for example?
The trouble with repairing old equipment is that sometimes the time taken to complete a repair can be completely open ended. Or sometimes you can get lucky and find that just the fuse needs replacing. This is why I rarely do repairs but do buy things for repair from ebay or other places. The good news is that virtually all the electronic components are readily available off the shelf from RS or Farnell.
Back in the day I remember going to HiFi shops with my Dad and being fascinated with all the equipment on display. Each of the pieces would represent a fair chunk of your monthly salary, where as now days they are 'pocket money'.
Always loved the Pioneer SX receivers. Here's my 535 636 737 and 838 and a Trio KA-7100 amp on long term soak in my Tardis workshop
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 10th April 09:00
GSE said:
What amp is it?
The trouble with repairing old equipment is that sometimes the time taken to complete a repair can be completely open ended. Or sometimes you can get lucky and find that just the fuse needs replacing. This is why I rarely do repairs but do buy things for repair from ebay or other places. The good news is that virtually all the electronic components are readily available off the shelf from RS or Farnell.
Back in the day I remember going to HiFi shops with my Dad and being fascinated with all the equipment on display. Each of the pieces would represent a fair chunk of your monthly salary, where as now days they are 'pocket money'.
Always loved the Pioneer SX receivers. Here's my 535 636 737 and 838 and a Trio KA-7100 amp on long term soak in my Tardis workshop
Those Pioneers are a thing of beauty.The trouble with repairing old equipment is that sometimes the time taken to complete a repair can be completely open ended. Or sometimes you can get lucky and find that just the fuse needs replacing. This is why I rarely do repairs but do buy things for repair from ebay or other places. The good news is that virtually all the electronic components are readily available off the shelf from RS or Farnell.
Back in the day I remember going to HiFi shops with my Dad and being fascinated with all the equipment on display. Each of the pieces would represent a fair chunk of your monthly salary, where as now days they are 'pocket money'.
Always loved the Pioneer SX receivers. Here's my 535 636 737 and 838 and a Trio KA-7100 amp on long term soak in my Tardis workshop
Edited by GSE on Monday 10th April 09:00
OP: maybe have a look at the Audios
te FB group (it's closed so you'll need to apply to join) as there are several members who repair audio equipment.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300239996801233
te FB group (it's closed so you'll need to apply to join) as there are several members who repair audio equipment.https://www.facebook.com/groups/300239996801233
Mr Pointy said:
OP: maybe have a look at the Audioste FB group (it's closed so you'll need to apply to join) as there are several members who repair audio equipment.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300239996801233
The Audio Equipment Servicing group is a far better option.te FB group (it's closed so you'll need to apply to join) as there are several members who repair audio equipment.https://www.facebook.com/groups/300239996801233
I've got an amp being repaired at HiFi Healer in Welwyn Garden City. Their prices are very reasonable IMHO and they are used by at least one local hifi dealer.
It's been there months as they have had issues sourcing parts but hopefully will back with me soon, albeit with the caveat that some caps haven't aren't going to be replaced as they can't source them however it hasn't been an expensive exercise at all so worth a shot.
What make/model is it - there are various specialists for some of the major brands from what my research has found.
It's been there months as they have had issues sourcing parts but hopefully will back with me soon, albeit with the caveat that some caps haven't aren't going to be replaced as they can't source them however it hasn't been an expensive exercise at all so worth a shot.
What make/model is it - there are various specialists for some of the major brands from what my research has found.
Hi all,
Many thanks for the replies!
It's an Emotiva so I would like to rescue it if possible.
I did manage to just about get a photo of what I think is the offending part that released the magic smoke - the prize for world's worst photo goes to...
I'm not sure what its name is so I don't know what to identify on the system layout file! lol
Many thanks for the replies!
It's an Emotiva so I would like to rescue it if possible.
I did manage to just about get a photo of what I think is the offending part that released the magic smoke - the prize for world's worst photo goes to...
I'm not sure what its name is so I don't know what to identify on the system layout file! lol
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Saturday 22 April 14:27
TonyRPH said:
RSTurboPaul said:
Thank you for the reply
It is not helping my worries lol
What amp is it? And what are the symptoms?It is not helping my worries
lolAs for manufacturers not stoking parts - many parts can easily be substituted if you know what you are doing.
Now it switches on but the broken channel puts it instantly into protection mode, therefore it is a large paperweight at the moment!
EDIT: I forgot to add/clarify - it previously overloaded a speaker on that channel and smoked the coil to death, lol, so I was running it as a 4-channel only for a while. When that dodgy 5th channel eventually gave up, it stopped the entire thing working, as per the earlier comment.
I have previously emailed the manufacturer and they did stock whole replacement boards for a while, but because I am disorganised (and their recommended repairer was miles away and a PITA to get to) and didn't progress things at the time of asking, it now seems all parts are discontinued, the parts department has nothing in stock, and it is out of warranty for repair by them anyway...
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Saturday 22 April 17:46
RSTurboPaul said:
I have a nice but broken amp that is out of warranty and the manufacturer has stopped stocking parts (helpful...).
I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
They have, however, provided some circuit diagrams for analysis / reference.
So, has anyone used / can recommend a good repair person / shop to replace components on circuit boards, for example?
Whereabouts in the UK are you?I think a capacitor or similar might have burnt out (something certainly did) so I am hopeful it is a simple fix and won't have fried anything else, but I am aware that DIY of such things might not go well...
They have, however, provided some circuit diagrams for analysis / reference.
So, has anyone used / can recommend a good repair person / shop to replace components on circuit boards, for example?
RSTurboPaul said:
Hi all,
Many thanks for the replies!
It's an Emotiva so I would like to rescue it if possible.
I did manage to just about get a photo of what I think is the offending part that released the magic smoke - the prize for world's worst photo goes to...
I'm not sure what its name is so I don't know what to identify on the system layout file! lol
That looks like a medium power transistor toasted.Many thanks for the replies!
It's an Emotiva so I would like to rescue it if possible.
I did manage to just about get a photo of what I think is the offending part that released the magic smoke - the prize for world's worst photo goes to...
I'm not sure what its name is so I don't know what to identify on the system layout file! lol
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Saturday 22 April 14:27
Pre-driver maybe.
Frankly, it doesn't look well built.
Where are you located?
These guys are good down south.
https://sites.google.com/view/btlaudiorepairs/
Further north, this guy is superb.
http://www.k-edwards.co.uk/
These guys are good down south.
https://sites.google.com/view/btlaudiorepairs/
Further north, this guy is superb.
http://www.k-edwards.co.uk/
808 Estate said:
Where are you located?
These guys are good down south.
https://sites.google.com/view/btlaudiorepairs/
Further north, this guy is superb.
http://www.k-edwards.co.uk/
Thanks for the recommendations, I will check them out!These guys are good down south.
https://sites.google.com/view/btlaudiorepairs/
Further north, this guy is superb.
http://www.k-edwards.co.uk/
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