Help with PSW350 volume control

kcoc321

I picked up a PSW350 from thrift store for $35 (yeah) but it "seems" that that volume control does not have as much 'range' as the one on my PSW250.

The amount of 'gain' seems to be about half as the PSw250.

Is there any way to fix this (de-ox in vol pot?) or some say to test it?

If I turn it all the way up, it has the same relative output, as when I turn my PSW250 about half way up.

3/4's of the way up 'seems' to be about right for my listening level, but I would think it would have more output,since it is 100wpc vs the PSW250's 50wpc...
It works, but more 'potential' is always good....Course my neighbors already complained when I was running the PSW350...hehe............

I took out the amp, and didn't see any blown caps ect, and the fuse is good....???

Any Ideas?..thanks

dubradio

apples to apples, all other things being equal between the 2 subs, You may have 1 of 3 possible issues..

1. Driver is failing
2. although you dont see any, you still may have dead or dying caps
3. amplifier output ic, this can cause a reduction in volume if it is failing as well

treitz3

Did you happen to change the hookups/configuration during the install?

kcoc321

Thanks Kyle & treitz..
I have tried a couple of different configs....I did try it with using a 'Y' adapter and using the L/R inputs, and that and de-oxiting the vol pot, and it did make a 10% difference. I will also try it using my Full range pre-outs and see what that does.

Kyle, I will swap out the Polk with another 10" driver I have, to resolve the item #1.
I quess I can also try the Polk 10" driver in another sub abd see what that does...

Anyway to test #2 &3? I do have a 'basic' multimeter.
Thanks

dubradio

if you have a multi meter that can measure Micro farads (uF) You can go around the board and measure each capacitor to make sure its value is close to that which is printed on it.

As far as the output IC, no real way to test that yourself.

Worst case scenario, Send the amp panel into out factory service center and they can evaluate it for you free of charge. They may find it to only be 40-60$ to repair, and even then if you find it not worth it your only out the shipping cost of the amp.

kcoc321

Unfortunately, I have a basic meter (doesn't seem to have a test setting for uF)
Thanks for the offer to test it, no $$ right now for just a test..May take you up on that when I have more $$.

I did try it out with identical setup with the PSw250 (same AC outlet, same IC's, both using the L/R inputs, same sub xover setting) and it "seems" to be alot closer. The volume pot does have less 'resistance' than mine, but maybe that just means mine has been used less?? Maybe I was just expecting there to be more output difference between the PSW250 with a 8" & 50wpc and the PSW350 with 10" and 100wpc. It does have more 'relative output' at higher levels, so maybe that is where the stronger amp comes into play, and the 10" definitely digs deeper....at some point I can audition a different one and compare them.

Thanks It's all good, for now.