RT3000p both subs amps have failed - replace with DSW PRO 400?

zaax
zaax Posts: 6
edited July 2012 in Vintage Speakers
I have a set of RT3000p speakers and a while back the sub on one side failed. Well yesterday the other went bad and now just puts out a buzz. These are very heavy and I can't imagine what the shipping cost would be to send them to Polk.

So I was wondering if just replacing the bad ones with a Polk DSW PRO 400 would make sense? Would I really be losing much sonically?

Zack S
Post edited by zaax on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited July 2011
    Where do you live?

    I think the repair center is in Cali.
    and either way, those amps are WELL WORTH getting fixed unless lightning melted them pretty bad...

    Good luck to you.:wink:
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited July 2011
    shipping isnt that expensive (<$50) and WELL worth the cost to get those subs up and running.
    design is where science and art break even.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited July 2011
    Most likely the CAPs have failed on both of them. Happened to both of my RT3000's. If you are handy with a soldering iron or know someone who is, you can order the replacement CAPs from Polk. They are very reasonable. Definitely get them up and running again.

    word of advice, when you pull the amps out of the back, be very careful as they are usually stuck from all the years but when they break loose, they are VERY heavy so hold on good to them. Good luck and welcome to the forum!
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zaax
    zaax Posts: 6
    edited August 2011
    I am thinking about pulling the amps out of the enclosures and sending them both back to Polk for repair.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cliffalanh
    cliffalanh Posts: 11
    edited December 2011
    Does Polk still repair them? I have a pair that are buzzing as well. Also, 1 driver from each is blown.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2011
    Just had booth amps repaired for my 3000P's by Polk for a total of 187. Polk replaced the caps and had to resolder a connection from the upper binding post to the board. I was told that they will repair these amps only if they can get parts. Most cases, it is the caps that need replacing.

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for the update, Bill

    Glad you've got them back up and running
    design is where science and art break even.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cliffalanh
    cliffalanh Posts: 11
    edited December 2011
    That's great news. I'll give them a call!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited December 2011
    dpowell wrote: »
    Most likely the CAPs have failed on both of them. Happened to both of my RT3000's. If you are handy with a soldering iron or know someone who is, you can order the replacement CAPs from Polk. They are very reasonable. Definitely get them up and running again.

    +1 on this. So far, every sub I've worked on that was buzzing and produced no other sound turned out to be a failure in the caps.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cliffalanh
    cliffalanh Posts: 11
    edited January 2012
    I sent mine in and they were received 12/27/2011. I still haven't heard anything. Any idea on how long it normally takes?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cliffalanh
    cliffalanh Posts: 11
    edited February 2012
    1 amp was repaired, the other destoyed in shipping. :-(

    Anyway, Does anyone know of a replacement driver in case I have a driver that is bad?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zaax
    zaax Posts: 6
    edited March 2012
    I called Polk and they said that they would repair them. Mailed them about four weeks ago and they called with an estimate of $95 each. Turns out some caps blew in one amp and a rectifier and caps in the other one. Got them back this week and put them in the cabinets. Oh man are they nice to have running again! Even bought a turntable to go with my setup. The turntable is a Pro-file Debut III and my receiver is a Pioneer Elite VSX-45TX.
    I am really glad that I listened to you folks and got them fixed rather than adding a new sub. Thanks for the replies.

    Zack S
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gatecrasher
    Gatecrasher Posts: 1,550
    edited March 2012
    You were smart to get them fixed. When I sent one of my amps in for repair, they fixed it for $48 in one week. The technician told me that they are ordering more parts in order to be able to continue to repair the RT3000p and CS1000.

    There's nothing Polk currently makes that I would rather have. Not even close.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited March 2012
    Gatecrasher wrote: »
    You were smart to get them fixed. When I sent one of my amps in for repair, they fixed it for $48 in one week. The technician told me that they are ordering more parts in order to be able to continue to repair the RT3000p and CS1000.

    There's nothing Polk currently makes that I would rather have. Not even close.

    My set are pretty much going to be a family heirloom set but it sucks my wife and step daughter( the daughter wouldn't get em anyway I hope) could care less about em. Imagine.... a set of these sitting out at the curb....Oh my God!!! Sacriligious!!
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cliffalanh
    cliffalanh Posts: 11
    edited May 2012
    I got mine repaired also. Actually, one was destroyed during shipping and they had a nw replacement amp. So I also have 2 working subs again! It is great!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cliffalanh
    cliffalanh Posts: 11
    edited May 2012
    I also failed to mention that I sent in a driver to customer service and they fixed it at no cost. I didn't even have to pay for the return shipping! This RT5000 setup is great. I wouldn't want to change it for anything.. in fact, my teen daughter had some friends over and one of the boys commented on how he wished his speakers sounded so good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited May 2012
    See if Bose can offer this level of service that Polk offers to their customers!!!
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited June 2012
    HELP!!!!!

    Yes, Polk did go thru the amps on my 3000p's and said that they were good to go. I had put them away and hooked them up today and , NO BASS from one of them. Pulled the amp out and found a blown fuse, replaced the fuse and still no bass???????? I pulled the amp again and I have a blown fuse????? The same fuse keeps blowing, any ideas????

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited June 2012
    Sounds like wires are touching somewhere in that one. Check real close with your eyes everything you can look at after pulling the amp back off. Maybe a pos. connector on one of the subs is now bent and the cover over the connector has slipped and the connector is now touching a woofer frame and grounding/shorting out.

    Good luck . It sounds like it might be an easy fix though to me.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited June 2012
    Pulled the amp and checked it all over and could not see any burn marks or anything that is touching. checked the wiring on the woofers and all is OK, replaced the fuse on the amp and hooked it up. No bass! Anybody have any other ideas?????
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited June 2012
    I found a guy in my area that does digital amp repairs and he is taking a look at my RT3000p amp & base to see why the fuse blows. From my pervious posts Polk did go thru the amp and said that it was good to go? So must be another issue.
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited July 2012
    Local tech found 2 blown resisitors on the amp. Now why didn't Polk find that when they tested the amp? I was told that the amps were good to go and this is the reason that I sent the amps to Polk in the first place, blown fuse all the time!
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter