[ctviggen]

Yep, it's the $3.95 cap.  Thanks for the links -- I've downloaded the information and printed it and just need to go home and take the amp apart a little more so that I can get to the bottom of the motherboard.  Speaking of prices, some of these caps are incredibly expensive.  Thanks to you guys, though, I can fix my amp and get better caps for under $100 (although I did just fork out $120 for a better soldering iron -- a complete station instead of just an iron).

[JoshK]

Which station did you get?

[ctviggen]

Josh, I'll have to wait to answer that.  I bought one from Parts Express (along with the transformer for my integrated amp), but PE appears to be down right now.  The RS 40 watt iron I have takes way too long to heat up and way too long for recovery, and doesn't get hot enough.

[JoshK]

Why are you replacing the transformer in your integrated?  What kind does it have now?

[ctviggen]

Oh, I guess I should explain the whole deal.  I went on vacation.  When I came back, I turned on the integrated amp (a Creek), and heard a loud popping sound from the speakers.  The amp blew the fuse for the power (but not the interior fuses for each channel).  I got another fuse, disconnected the amp from every input and output, put in the fuse, turned on the amp, and the fuse blew.  I then emailed Creek technical support, who told me the likely culprit was the transformer.  I then ordered a transformer that's basically the same (save the new one has a higher VA rating).  On closer examination of the board in the Creek, I saw one power supply capacitor that has "stuff" around the bottom.  It may or may not be bad -- I haven't tested it. I also read, from Paul's post, that these electrolytic caps don't last long.  My Creek was made in 1994.  I confirmed that through research, then decided that I might as well replace the caps for the power supply.  If I'm doing that, I might as well replace the diodes with better diodes.  If I'm doing that, I might as well buy better audio caps.  So, for not too much money, I'm going to basically rework my integrated.  I mean, if I have the thing completely taken apart, I might as well perform upgrades to it.    In all seriousness, I do like the sound of this integrated.  For the price, it kicks some butt.  

(While I'm doing the amp, I might as well order some black hole 5 for my subs and mains. And, I saw this other stuff....I should've never gone down this path!)

[Hogg]

Occam wrote:
 

Like males of a certain age (you're too young to identify with this), electolytic caps loose 'performance' as they approach senesance. Its gradual, and whether by denial or acclimation, its often not obvious, but nevertheless, when a true comparison is made (heaven forfend), its cannot be denied.

Does this mean the Mrs would like you to be recaped too?

See 'ya next weekend.

                                                                Jim

[Occam]

Probably   .....
I can see it now - 'How Nancy got her groove back'
The docs now even have a term for it, andropause.

Thanks Hogg, and I though us old farts were supposed to stick together

[ctviggen]

Josh,

Here's the station:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=372-145

I'll be interested to see how fast it heats up and what the recovery time is.  It gets here Tuesday, but I haven't ordered the caps, so I might not be soldering until next weekend.  Sadly, I'm going to have to solder on the kitchen table.  I have no other location big enough.

[Folsom]

Any comments on DIY cases, and those Pots that are really switches, URL?

[Gordy]

DIY cases...  Ken at DIYzone has or had some very nice cases with all the fittings included and holes pre-drilled... http://www.digitalanaloguediy.com/

Some of the nicer looking and built cases around are the IAG's... http://www.iagaudio.com/

Par Metal has a huge selection and very good pricing... http://www.par-metal.com/