I used to have one of those back in the day. Bought it for 99 bucks at costco. I know that there were some complaints of the amplifier in that model sort of... melting itself. I had never had a problem with mine but you may indeed have a faulty amplifier. It might be a bad solder joint that is arching or something. If that is the case its an easy fix but not for someone who has no exprience doing so.