Stock Amplifier Output Issue: Does it happen over time or out of the sudden?
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: South MS
Stock Amplifier Output Issue: Does it happen over time or out of the sudden?
This is a question for the audio experts out there about the stock amplifier output issue caused by bad capacitors. Like many of the folks in the forums I also ended up with a dead amplifier as a result of capacitors going bad. Unfortunately, I am not the daily driver of this particular TL, so by the time I was informed there was something odd with the audio system, the amplifier was already bad.
What I would like to understand is if this output issue happens over time, or if it happens out of the sudden. In other words does the output gradually degrades, and this degradation is not noticeable because our ears get used to it? I am not an engineer and don't have a strong background in electronics and how capacitors work in amplifiers. I did the read the post about the repair, though. However, I could not find an answer to my question based on the discussion.
What has prompted me to ask this question is that I ordered a used stock amplifier from a junkyard. Assuming I am not going to get a dead amplifier (it does come with warranty!), the sound output will certainly be better than what is available right now. However, could it be partially better like working at maybe half of the original output? Is that even possible?
What I would like to understand is if this output issue happens over time, or if it happens out of the sudden. In other words does the output gradually degrades, and this degradation is not noticeable because our ears get used to it? I am not an engineer and don't have a strong background in electronics and how capacitors work in amplifiers. I did the read the post about the repair, though. However, I could not find an answer to my question based on the discussion.
What has prompted me to ask this question is that I ordered a used stock amplifier from a junkyard. Assuming I am not going to get a dead amplifier (it does come with warranty!), the sound output will certainly be better than what is available right now. However, could it be partially better like working at maybe half of the original output? Is that even possible?
Registered Bunny
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 1,073
From: Montreal
This is a question for the audio experts out there about the stock amplifier output issue caused by bad capacitors. Like many of the folks in the forums I also ended up with a dead amplifier as a result of capacitors going bad. Unfortunately, I am not the daily driver of this particular TL, so by the time I was informed there was something odd with the audio system, the amplifier was already bad.
What I would like to understand is if this output issue happens over time, or if it happens out of the sudden. In other words does the output gradually degrades, and this degradation is not noticeable because our ears get used to it? I am not an engineer and don't have a strong background in electronics and how capacitors work in amplifiers. I did the read the post about the repair, though. However, I could not find an answer to my question based on the discussion.
What has prompted me to ask this question is that I ordered a used stock amplifier from a junkyard. Assuming I am not going to get a dead amplifier (it does come with warranty!), the sound output will certainly be better than what is available right now. However, could it be partially better like working at maybe half of the original output? Is that even possible?
What I would like to understand is if this output issue happens over time, or if it happens out of the sudden. In other words does the output gradually degrades, and this degradation is not noticeable because our ears get used to it? I am not an engineer and don't have a strong background in electronics and how capacitors work in amplifiers. I did the read the post about the repair, though. However, I could not find an answer to my question based on the discussion.
What has prompted me to ask this question is that I ordered a used stock amplifier from a junkyard. Assuming I am not going to get a dead amplifier (it does come with warranty!), the sound output will certainly be better than what is available right now. However, could it be partially better like working at maybe half of the original output? Is that even possible?
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: South MS
I had already ordered the replacement amp when I thought about the question above. There is not much I can do at this point with regard to that. What I can do now is to try to repair my original amp following the repair guide you are referring to. I would like to give it a shot while I have access to the car to test the repair. I plan on getting something else sometime in the Spring. Thanks for your input!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 182
Likes: 13
I had already ordered the replacement amp when I thought about the question above. There is not much I can do at this point with regard to that. What I can do now is to try to repair my original amp following the repair guide you are referring to. I would like to give it a shot while I have access to the car to test the repair. I plan on getting something else sometime in the Spring. Thanks for your input!
https://www.heeltoeauto.com/phantom_audio/?catid=2430
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: South MS
I came across a reference to that HeelToe site in another post I read. I will keep it as a reference for future vehicles.If we weren't planning on getting something else soon, it would be worth the expense. Thanks for the recommendation, though!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 182
Likes: 13
Everything should play louder and more crisp with the amp alone, cant wait to put the radio in too!!