i'm a demi-god (demi-gog? wtf?)

PoweredByDodge
PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
edited April 2006 in Car Audio & Electronics
Circa 1995 "Soundstorm" ... Soundstream Knockoff... ala "Rockwood" and Rockford...

Go to throw it in a dude's car... why? cuz he had it and wanted it in there... I don't ask questions anymore -- I just do what people ask... it's less of a headache.

Well it was just cooked.. it wouldn't turn on, protection light lit up like a christmas tree... no sound output... and the right side of hte amp was just BAKING

Rip it out - take it home... burnt this, burnt that... messy messy...

Circuit layout looks like something that was thrown together at the last minute, no less.

So I start yanking fets, and sure enough.... i find the problem buggers... threw it back togeter with channels 3 and 4 removed -- works -- International Rectifier has Fets in the mail... and this piece of junk will be working by mid-week.

God I'm good.
The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
Post edited by PoweredByDodge on
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Comments

  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited April 2006
    i'm glad you're happy :p
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited April 2006
    isn't this like rebuilding a Gremlin (the car that is)? What's the point? lol let it die.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
  • PoweredByDodge
    PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
    edited April 2006
    well that was my opinion too.. its 175 x 2 bridged (4 channel)... barely enough to make pioneer 150 watt subs move.

    I told him he could get a DEI / Viper 250D (250 x 1 @ 2 ohms mono) for 39 bucks from Ikesound refurbished with 90 day warranty -- he was like "that's expensive" --- for a 300 dollar amp.. um.. ok... so i end up rebuild this - go figure... i'm too nice!
    The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
  • 98thumpin
    98thumpin Posts: 649
    edited April 2006
    i dont know 39 bucks for a 300 dollar amp sounds good to me. but then again he was probably one of these guys that shops at wallmart. for his stuff
    John Tyler Birch

    home audio system:

    Denon avr-1907
    Sony dvd/cd changer 5 disc
    nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
    2 Polk Audio monitor 70's
    Velodyne DPS-12 subwoofer
    RCA TV
    NAK 600 tape deck
    Monster power line conditioning power center
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    98thumpin wrote:
    i dont know 39 bucks for a 300 dollar amp sounds good to me.
    I would agree with you there.
    98thumpin wrote:
    but then again he was probably one of these guys that shops at wallmart. for his stuff
    i bet that. youre right
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB

    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii

    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2006
    i think AB has found a new best friend and partner in useless posts
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
  • deepinya
    deepinya Posts: 199
    edited April 2006
    exalted512 wrote:
    i think AB has found a new best friend and partner in useless posts
    -Cody


    :eek:
  • PoweredByDodge
    PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
    edited April 2006
    98thumpin wrote:
    i dont know 39 bucks for a 300 dollar amp sounds good to me. but then again he was probably one of these guys that shops at wallmart. for his stuff

    Actually he's a swap meet kinda guy --- so ya --- you're absolutely right.
    The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited April 2006
    exalted512 wrote:
    i think AB has found a new best friend and partner in useless posts
    -Cody

    I wouldnt go that far, but I do like Thumpin's. punctuation
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    Thank you, Mac. I was insulted there for a little. bit.

    Glad you saw the humor in. my post! though,

    :D
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB

    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii

    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
  • PoweredByDodge
    PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
    edited April 2006
    mignight posting -- mmm yum
    The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
  • 98thumpin
    98thumpin Posts: 649
    edited April 2006
    boogity blah blah yackity smackity blah hah
    John Tyler Birch

    home audio system:

    Denon avr-1907
    Sony dvd/cd changer 5 disc
    nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
    2 Polk Audio monitor 70's
    Velodyne DPS-12 subwoofer
    RCA TV
    NAK 600 tape deck
    Monster power line conditioning power center
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    98thumpin wrote:
    boogity blah blah yackity smackity blah hah
    ROFL!! :p:D

    Making useless posts is fun, though, no? :D
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB

    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii

    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
  • deepinya
    deepinya Posts: 199
    edited April 2006
    Yoo, to shud. get marreed;
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    *walks out*
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB

    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii

    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
  • 98thumpin
    98thumpin Posts: 649
    edited April 2006
    lol yea ok sure . nott!!!
    John Tyler Birch

    home audio system:

    Denon avr-1907
    Sony dvd/cd changer 5 disc
    nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
    2 Polk Audio monitor 70's
    Velodyne DPS-12 subwoofer
    RCA TV
    NAK 600 tape deck
    Monster power line conditioning power center
  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited April 2006
    98thumpin wrote:
    lol yea ok sure . nott!!!
    bliss, i think you could learn from this guy... :p
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
  • Red230SX
    Red230SX Posts: 211
    edited April 2006
    Gotta love those "knock off" brands...

    Kinda like the White Van Scam speakers..

    Paradyme (spin off of Paradigm)

    Acoustic (spin off of Acoustic Research)

    Ephiphany (just meant to sound high end...)

    Dymaudio (spin off of Dynaudio)

    Dogg Digital (apparently to cater to the Hip Hop Generation?)

    :)
  • PoweredByDodge
    PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
    edited April 2006
    *scratches head* this blows my fricking mind.

    Parts come in -- replace outputs for channels 3 and 4... plug the sucker in... it works.

    Let it play for 10 or 15 minutes... go smoke a cigarette... come back... still workin ...

    So I say "well lemme hook channels 1 and 2 back up to make sure they're still working - just cuz i'm paranoid" --- so I do that... and it still works fine.

    So at this point I'm like ready to give it back to the dude.

    But I'm like "Hmm... I didn't actually run 1, 2, 3, and 4 all at the same time... I better do that..."

    So I run all 4 channels into 4 ohm speakers.

    Turn it on.

    POOF - magic smoke.

    Not just smoke... but what looked like fireworks. Bad ugly ones.

    Fizzle Fizzle Salt and Sizzle...

    I'm done working on junk.

    I've got a 90% success rate on name brand decent stuff.
    (MTX [x 6], USAmps, JBL [x 2]... then there's that f****** RF that cody sent me but I couldn't get it going).

    I have no luck with junk -- and I think it'll only get worse.
    (Jensen, Urban Audio, and now Soundstorm -- only one that worked out was the Optimus).

    I really don't get it, in theory, if you figure out whats wrong, put the same parts or acceptable replacements back in... it SHOULD work. I was made semi-sick though when the traces started to burn off the board while I was soldering. I've never seen anything like this, but it looks like the traces are almost "taped" onto the board. It doesn't look etched at all. Weird... Really weird. What a friggin mess.

    It didn't even have a plate holding the transistors to the heatsink. Some companies will basically "weld" the backs of the transistors down ... others will simply use a big honkin steel bar that bolts to the heatsink and sandwiches the transistors against it. This piece of **** used "zippy clamps". They look like these...

    binderclips.jpg

    ... but without the silver handles.

    I was like "WHAT THE **** IS THIS !?!?!?!?!" junk junk junk junk junk. As the metal heats up, they become less "tight" -- damn things loosen up and you get crappy cooling.

    Anywho - I drilled the **** out and put real retainer bars on there. And for what - I waste my f'in time. I've got about 4 hours in that son of a ****. Fer what... nothin. And the dude's gonna be pissed that I couldn't fix it - and you know what I'm gonna say... "Dude, it's a crapshoot... ya didn't loose nothin... go spend 39 bucks on the Viper amp... if you have a problem witht hat, shove it up your rear"
    The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    "Dude, it's a crapshoot... ya didn't loose nothin... go spend 39 bucks on the Viper amp... if you have a problem witht hat, shove it up your rear"
    Man....I've never seen a Viper amp...but I bet that would hurt! :eek:
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB

    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii

    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
  • Red230SX
    Red230SX Posts: 211
    edited April 2006
    You gotta be kidding me.. They CLAMPED the FET's to the heat spreader
    bars? They probably didn't even put any thermal compound on them either?
  • PoweredByDodge
    PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
    edited April 2006
    Red230SX wrote:
    You gotta be kidding me.. They CLAMPED the FET's to the heat spreader
    bars? They probably didn't even put any thermal compound on them either?

    nopers - no thermal grease, but they had the nice little pieces of nylon material (insulator) to keep them from grounding out, but guess what... it wasn't even nylon or any form of decent looking plastic... looked like paper with a film over it. it wasn't what i expected to see at all inside of an amplifier. normally you'll have a nylon or something similar, thin obviously so that it has good heat transfer properties, but not so flimsy that you think it'll melt itself... and a slathering of thermal grease between the bar and the nylon... then between the nyulon and the transistor... this thing... metal... paper... metal... clamp. how wonderful.

    considering a tube of grease costs about 2 bucks, they're saving 2 bucks an amp.
    The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited April 2006
  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited April 2006
    Demiurge wrote:
    What?
    whaddya mean, 'what'...??
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
  • B3Nut
    B3Nut Posts: 76
    edited April 2006
    Boy...that takes the cake for electronics assembly shortcutting...but as they say...ya get what ya pay for. I can't believe he's balking at a $40 monoblock with a warranty...

    I bet if I dug out my old 1990 RF Punch 45 it would light up and sing...now there's a solid-as-a-brick piece...still in very good physical condition.

    Todd in Beerbratistan
  • 98thumpin
    98thumpin Posts: 649
    edited April 2006
    as my daddy used to tell me you pay for what you get.
    John Tyler Birch

    home audio system:

    Denon avr-1907
    Sony dvd/cd changer 5 disc
    nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
    2 Polk Audio monitor 70's
    Velodyne DPS-12 subwoofer
    RCA TV
    NAK 600 tape deck
    Monster power line conditioning power center
  • PoweredByDodge
    PoweredByDodge Posts: 4,185
    edited April 2006
    isn't it "get what you pay for" ?
    The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
  • 98thumpin
    98thumpin Posts: 649
    edited April 2006
    well goes both ways really i suppose. i mean you pay to get quality, and if you buy a 40 d0llar amp you get a 40 dollar amp
    John Tyler Birch

    home audio system:

    Denon avr-1907
    Sony dvd/cd changer 5 disc
    nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
    2 Polk Audio monitor 70's
    Velodyne DPS-12 subwoofer
    RCA TV
    NAK 600 tape deck
    Monster power line conditioning power center
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2006
    what about if you get employee discounts? :D
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    Then you're just a jerk.

    :D
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB

    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii

    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520