Adcom Amplifier Is Broken

R

resevil83

Enthusiast
Hey guys, I was wondering how difficult it is to fix a broken amplifier. Should I just take it somewhere to fix it? What info would I need to give you guys to help me fix it. Is there a thread that I missed that discusses the steps to help trouble shoot my problem?
 
zildjian

zildjian

Audioholic Chief
Completely depends on the design of the amplifier and the type of problem. Some things aren't that difficult such as capacitor or transistor replacement, but others take a lot more knowledge. If you don't know anything about amplifiers, you could shock yourself pretty readily if you start poking around in there, so the last factor I'd throw out is experience. If this is the first thing like this you've done, you still could potentially solve several problems, but you'd need a step by step instruction on how to do it, but you also could hurt yourself. I've never been under the hood of an Adcom, so I don't know what to tell you specific to Adcom amps. Start out by telling us what problem(s) the amp has. What does it do vs doesn't do?
 
Haoleb

Haoleb

Audioholic Field Marshall
It may be a better idea to tell us how capable you are with this sort of thing. Its the difference between talking someone who has never even looked under the hood of their car through replacing piston rings or someone who changes their own oil how to replace a spark plug... If you know what i mean. Not sure where i was going with that but anyway.

You will also definetly need a DMM and soldering skills. Unless its a blown fuse which you can tell by visual inspection.
 
R

resevil83

Enthusiast
I've torn apart my whole engine... I build computers, and I am pretty confident I can fix anything. I've opened up CRT tv monitors - those are dangerous. I love to take things apart and put them back together (especially when they actually work in the end)

So here's the synopsis. I did a test and found out that the left output - to speaker does not work on my amplifier. The right is good as new. Are there things I should not touch? I don't want to die :) Let me know if I should steer clear of anything.
 
Haoleb

Haoleb

Audioholic Field Marshall
The only dangerous thing in a power amplifier when its turned off and UNPLUGGED is the power supply filter capacitors. And even then, They should have drained themselves in a few minutes time.
 
highfihoney

highfihoney

Audioholic Samurai
Go over to Audiokarma.org & ask the same question,or you can PM member Echowars or member Terry Dewit,both are the best in the business at repairing vintage gear & should lead you in the right path & maybe even provide a contact for replacement parts.

Getting a vintage Adcom amp repaired is not very cost effective considering the cost of a working model on ebay.

BTW,sounds like an output transistor to me,not too hard to replace.
 
yettitheman

yettitheman

Audioholic General
The only dangerous thing in a power amplifier when its turned off and UNPLUGGED is the power supply filter capacitors. And even then, They should have drained themselves in a few minutes time.
Screwdriver. What I use to discharge caps. (even in CRT's)
 
H

heyitsmedusty

Audiophyte
Same problem...

Actually, it's EXACTLY the same problem. Same amp (GFA-545) same channel isn't working. Any progress on a solution?

Thanks,
Dusty
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
More harm than good without at least minimal test gear

I order to do competent service work on something as complex as an amp, you need at least some equipment. Here are the basics, an amplified Volt meter, a signal generator, an oscilloscope, preferably two channel. It is also a very good idea to have a Variac. That is a variable voltage transformer, that allows you to bring the voltage up gradually as you observe what happens after you think you have fixed it. It also isolates you from the mains, and significantly reduces the risk of you injuring yourself.
You should always have a circuit of what you are working on. Study it, and get a good idea of how the circuit actually works.

Always inspect boards carefully for signs of burnt out resistors and other components. Remember these passive components burn out for a reason, so you can't just replace them. They need replacing yes, but they often give a clue as to the real culprit of the crime
Now are the fuses to, or on the amp board of the defective channel blown? If so, one or more of the power transistors are likely blown. If that is the case, you need to know why they are blown, and check diodes caps and resistors in the driver and power transistor stages. Also don't forget the protection circuits. I have seen them fail and short the power transistors. Obviously if this is not corrected you will blow another power transistor or two.
 
H

heyitsmedusty

Audiophyte
More Good Than Harm

After getting some advice over at Audiogon, I opened up the amplifier, found a burnt fuse, and bought a new one at Radioshack to replace it with. After replacing the fuse, the amp works flawlessly.

!! IMPORTANT: Unplug the amp and let it sit for about 30 minutes before doing anything to it.

To open the amp you need a little hex screwdriver, and you only need to remove the screws on the top, not the sides. The fuse is in little clasps that hold it down, and you can just pull the old fuse up out of those clasps and then snap the new one down into them.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Some have all the luck!

I just never get that lucky. When I run into a blown fuse there always seems to be a tale to it.
 
H

heyitsmedusty

Audiophyte
Well I've only had it up and running for 3 days (at low and high levels), so I wouldn't say I'm totally free and clear yet. I'll give an update if it blows again unexpectedly. But so far so good!

Also, it's just a really good amp and sounds great.
 
Haoleb

Haoleb

Audioholic Field Marshall
I order to do competent service work on something as complex as an amp, you need at least some equipment. Here are the basics, an amplified Volt meter, a signal generator, an oscilloscope, preferably two channel. It is also a very good idea to have a Variac. That is a variable voltage transformer, that allows you to bring the voltage up gradually as you observe what happens after you think you have fixed it. It also isolates you from the mains, and significantly reduces the risk of you injuring yourself.
You should always have a circuit of what you are working on. Study it, and get a good idea of how the circuit actually works.

Always inspect boards carefully for signs of burnt out resistors and other components. Remember these passive components burn out for a reason, so you can't just replace them. They need replacing yes, but they often give a clue as to the real culprit of the crime
Now are the fuses to, or on the amp board of the defective channel blown? If so, one or more of the power transistors are likely blown. If that is the case, you need to know why they are blown, and check diodes caps and resistors in the driver and power transistor stages. Also don't forget the protection circuits. I have seen them fail and short the power transistors. Obviously if this is not corrected you will blow another power transistor or two.
While it certainly would be a luxury to have that kind of equipment at your disposal I have repaired more than a few amps with just a multimeter and soldering iron. I sure wouldnt mind having a Fluke Scopemeter though. Those things are pretty sweet :)
 

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