Any hifi amp guru's?

[ronnie63]

I have a 90's Ariston amp which has worked well until now, lower volumes arre fine and clear but ramp it up it distorts like hell! I suspected capacitors so changed them all on the amp board but it did not help, surely not both the TDA amps would go as it distorts on both left and right channels?

Pic of one lifted from google

Thanks for any help?

Ronnie

 

[Wayne J]

@Pick Holder is most likely your best man for advice here.

 

[ronnie63]

@Pick Holder is most likely your best man for advice here.

cheers hopefully he sees this

 

[strobey]

I would say if someone's been ragging it then it's actually more likely that both TDAs will suffer.

Kids had a party?

 

[ronnie63]

I would say if someone's been ragging it then it's actually more likely that both TDAs will suffer.

Kids had a party?

No that's not the case, any more than half throttle it distorts like lack of voltage maybe? that's why I suspected the caps

 

[Pick Holder]

Exactly what capacitors did you change?

Are you a good at soldering?

I offer ramp repairs as part of my business (ie living) - I charge £40 per hour for bench work.

 

[ronnie63]

Exactly what capacitors did you change?

Are you a good at soldering?

I offer ramp repairs as part of my business (ie living) - I charge £40 per hour for bench work.

I changed them all but firstly just the 8 large one's, I do board repair so yes soldering is good, I paid £10 for the amp 4 years ago so the 6 quid on caps is my limit lol

Thanks Ronnie

 

[Pick Holder]

If the caps are £6 they are not amplifier grade.

Truthfully - I would throw it in the skip and get another from a 2nd hand place like cash convertors The ones round here have loads of stuff like that. I picked one up for a mates jukebox for £25.

The amps I repair usually are worth £1000s - but as I explain - people pay for my knowledge and experience. It cost the same to repair a £10 amp and a £2000 amp in labour charges.

 

[ronnie63]

Your probably right, As far as I can see they are bog standard 85 degree capacitors made by wisdom, I was not aware a 2200uf 35v capacitor would differ from any other same value cap other than 105degree or 85 degree? This was a budget 90's amp I could not see it having high end parts

Thanks Ronnie

 

[Ruaraidh]

If both channels have you checked the pre-amp rather than power stages? Also check the various power supply rails to make sure the voltages are right and there's no interference appearing on them too! Good luck, sometimes old stuff like this is not worth the money but the satisfaction of repairing it is hobby fun and learning anyway, so the cost isn't so important....