SVS micro 3000 amp repair question

[Stones]

I purchased a svs micro 3000 amp off eBay.
I picked it up for cheap for a diy project ($60)
Knowing that it had a high pitch whine coming from amp not the speakers and is present with out any speakers or rca connected .
The noise isn’t very loud but if anyone has any info on fixing the whine I would appreciate it . I have read on other places that sometimes if you can locate the source it can be as simple as surrounding the component with hot glue .
The whine comes from the component I circled in red in the picture , if I push down on that component the sound changes.

I would leave it alone because the noise doesn’t really bother me but is this usually an indication that the amp will fail soon? I was about to try hot glue but I figured I would ask if anyone has had experience with that before I make a mess.
Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, I would say that is a sign it is well on its way to failure. Technically, it already has, it just isn't a failure that caused it to die yet, but it could be a potential fire risk. Since you got it so cheap, I'd check the price of a replacement amp with SVS or see if you can find a second one with a working amp similarly cheap.

Nice find too.

 

[TLS Guy]

I purchased a svs micro 3000 amp off eBay.
I picked it up for cheap for a diy project ($60)
Knowing that it had a high pitch whine coming from amp not the speakers and is present with out any speakers or rca connected .
The noise isn’t very loud but if anyone has any info on fixing the whine I would appreciate it . I have read on other places that sometimes if you can locate the source it can be as simple as surrounding the component with hot glue .
The whine comes from the component I circled in red in the picture , if I push down on that component the sound changes.

I would leave it alone because the noise doesn’t really bother me but is this usually an indication that the amp will fail soon? I was about to try hot glue but I figured I would ask if anyone has had experience with that before I make a mess.
Thanks

Your only option is a replacement amp.

This seems a prevalent problem with these. The only fix is a new amp. You have identified the component, but with modern hot air robotic soldering changing component is not an option. The fix is board replacement. If you are handy you can see what SVS will sell you a new board for and you can install it. Otherwise you will have to purchase a new amp. Modern electronics is not serviceable by component replacement unlike equipment of old. Since this is for a DIY build, I doubt SVS will be of much help.

 

[Stones]

Your only option is a replacement amp.

This seems a prevalent problem with these. The only fix is a new amp. You have identified the component, but with modern hot air robotic soldering changing component is not an option. The fix is board replacement. If you are handy you can see what SVS will sell you a new board for and you can install it. Otherwise you will have to purchase a new amp. Modern electronics is not serviceable by component replacement unlike equipment of old. Since this is for a DIY build, I doubt SVS will be of much help.

Thanks for response ,
If the whine is quiet enough that it doesn’t bother me from listening position do you think it will get worse or is unsafe to use ?

thanks

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for response ,
If the whine is quiet enough that it doesn’t bother me from listening position do you think it will get worse or is unsafe to use ?

thanks

It is impossible to answer that question with certainty. I doubt it is unsafe. There are quite a few approaches to class D amps, which that amp will be. My hunch is that wine is coming from the LC filter. These amps are class D, or switching amps to conserve power and reduce heating. These inductors have quite high values and take a lot of current. Inductors are made form coils of wire on a core as a rule. Now the waveform in them is very high frequency. So these wires can vibrate and cause noise. Just the noise you are hearing. So the coil is imbedded in a glue, by a process know as "potting." So my best guess is that SVS got a batch of inductors that were inadequately potted. Apparently what you are experiencing is common in those amps.

 

[Stones]

It is impossible to answer that question with certainty. I doubt it is unsafe. There are quite a few approaches to class D amps, which that amp will be. My hunch is that wine is coming from the LC filter. These amps are class D, or switching amps to conserve power and reduce heating. These inductors have quite high values and take a lot of current. Inductors are made form coils of wire on a core as a rule. Now the waveform in them is very high frequency. So these wires can vibrate and cause noise. Just the noise you are hearing. So the coil is imbedded in a glue, by a process know as "potting." So my best guess is that SVS got a batch of inductors that were inadequately potted. Apparently what you are experiencing is common in those amps.

thanks for the info , I will use it for a while and see if the noise is noticeable from listening position .

appreciate the help

 

[j_garcia]

I had an older sub that had an AB amp and it also whined a little like what you note. I had picked it up used cheap and figure that is why it was being sold too. I used it for about a year without issue and sold it. Per what TLS is saying, it may not actually be dying, so that is good too.

 

[lovinthehd]

Curious, what is your application for the amp? A diy sub?

 

[j_garcia]

Curious, what is your application for the amp? A diy sub?

Seems he bought a complete Micro 3000 cheap because it has hum.

 

[lovinthehd]

Seems he bought a complete Micro 3000 cheap because it has hum.

He said he bought a micro 3000 amp then talks about speakers but not particularly clear how he's using a plate amp...

 

[j_garcia]

Ahhhh, missed that. So SVS replaced someone's amp due to hum and he's using it for another speaker...got it.

 

[Stones]

Curious, what is your application for the amp? A diy sub?

I bought it for a diy amp mostly because it’s was so cheap. I have two other SVS subs for my main theater (sb4000) . Sometimes I just look for cheap stuff on eBay for diy projects to keep me busy. I am going to use it for a 2.1 system .

 

[lovinthehd]

I bought it for a diy amp mostly because it’s was so cheap. I have two other SVS subs for my main theater (sb4000) . Sometimes I just look for cheap stuff on eBay for diy projects to keep me busy. I am going to use it for a 2.1 system .

Just for the sub, tho?

 

[Stones]

I had an older sub that had an AB amp and it also whined a little like what you note. I had picked it up used cheap and figure that is why it was being sold too. I used it for about a year without issue and sold it. Per what TLS is saying, it may not actually be dying, so that is good too.

Thanks , that’s what I will probably do with mine as well, I like to play around with things for a hobby . Noise doesn’t really bother me but if there was an easy fix I would give it a shot . At $60 it wasn’t to much of a risk.

 

[Stones]

I only bought the amp not the box or woofers if that’s what you mean, but yes I will only be using it for the sub.

 

[lovinthehd]

I only bought the amp not the box or woofers if that’s what you mean, but yes I will only be using it for the sub.

I got that you bought the plate amp, but wasn't sure when you mentioned speakers as to how you're using it....