This is the amp for my subs. What started out as a dismantling and dusting operation, turned into some internal work. The usb B type port they use for connecting it to PC was broken. I think it had been broken for awhile and was just set in there with the 4 pins holding on by a prayer for as long as the plug wasn't disturbed. It was a tedious, albeit satisfying repair to make. While I was at it, I got rid of the noisy fan. The fan shroud had been blown well out of the way ages ago, as I found it on the other side of the case from where it is supposed to be, and the dust on it, was nothing like what was on the old fan. Plus could tell how dust was blown about the interior, and not heavier where the shroud would have otherwise deposited it.
Hard part was removing the old plug. I have a small heat gun for surface mount components, but I didn't want to chance desoldering the JST harness right next to it. Basically I just kept wicking it away a little at a time until I could lift it a little. Then I could cut the 4 pins and remove them separately, instead of trying to melt all 4 simultaneously.
Holes all desoldered and ready for the new port.
Success with new port soldered in.
Boards and port reinstalled in faceplate.
New Noctura fan installed. Much quieter. Can see the plastic card shroud laying there. It was over to the left, just laying atop the circuit board doing nothing.
I added some hot melt glue to help hold it in place. This amp never gets past the very first light or two on the clip indicator and I still feel enough air coming out of the front of the grille. Being that the shroud is now where it belongs, it should compensate for the before and after condition where even though it had a stronger fan, it wasn't working as efficiently as it is now.
Everything is happy, once again.