Before I replace the stock amp, I wanted to research it a little bit. As most of you know, the outside looks like metal bound paperbook hidden under the 'not an ashtray' storage bin.

What does the inside look like?
There are two circuit boards. One appears to do the crossover, the other a little power supply regulation and the main amplifier. The amp driven by 2 4x?watts Pioneer PAL006a iCs. the amp chip looks like a ST microelectronics flexiwatt 25 package. Looking at the datasheet at st's website indicates decent specs, but no mention of IMD (intermodular distortion, the one that counts a lot more than THD).

Here's a couple pics...

Large black shield/heatsink cover removed


Top circuit board removed - note the large ic's with metal... those are the amplifiers


another shot of the bottom board



more notes...
according to the wiring diagram B2,B5,B9, & B12 are tied to the shield. on the circuit board they are left floating (not connected to anything).

The socket for the 20pin and 14 pin connectors can be removed by removing the screws on the underside of the bottom board and desoldering each pin. to remove the screws, dig out the solder from the philips head and turn. although there's solder at the base of the head it is not difficult to turn.

 

sorry the pics didn't come out... here's links

http://picasaweb.google.com/castles....85459815985506

http://picasaweb.google.com/castles....85459815985522

http://picasaweb.google.com/castles....85459815985538