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Any amp repair guys on asr that every one trusts?

Ssmokeyy

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I picked up a anthem mca 30 today that was said to be in amazing shape. But come to find out someone had been inside the amp and changed the caps out with some lower quality caps. Looking for a repair guy?
 
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That sounds.. Weird. Why would anyone capable of troubleshooting amps, sourcing and changing electronic components change them to a lower grade quality?

Can you take a few pictures of the insides?
 

JSmith

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Ssmokeyy

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In wa state. Here is the pictures. They also didn't match the caps across the amp boards.
 

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Ssmokeyy

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More pictures. I wonder if I should just use the ebay buyer protection and return this item.
 

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solderdude

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Show close-up pictures of the solder side.
It is not uncommon for manufacturers to use different types/brands of caps in one amp or even always use the same brand/type over year(s) of production.
What makes you think that someone would replace many caps ?
Do you know what caps you think should be in there ?
Does the amp have problems such as hum ?
 
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Ssmokeyy

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I think all the black no name caps have been the ones replaced I believe all the boards should have the brown kme spec caps. I haven't turned it on yet but I was also told this amp had zero problems and has always been great. If so why doesn't all the amp boards match parts wise. The more I think about it the more I really didn't want to buy someone's project and just a used quality anthem amp. I had a tech repair an amp for me last couple years and it never worked correctly so I would say I'm kinda gun shy on this type of stuff.
 

solderdude

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I understand the apprehension.
Have a look at the solder joints of those caps.
To me it doesn't look like these have been replaced at all.
 
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Ssmokeyy

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The only way would be to remove the boards from the hestsinks. I just don't know how anthem would use caps rated 16 volt 220uf on one board by one and change it to another brand using 25v 220uf on another. Doesn't seem legit.
 

amirm

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I think all the black no name caps have been the ones replaced I believe all the boards should have the brown kme spec caps.
I found a promotional video with a shot of the insides. It has black caps:

 
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Ssmokeyy

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I'm going crazy over this. So I have been looking up images. If I was to go off that video than they all should be black on all 3 amp boards and the brown kme shouldn't be there. I can see the left channel board in that video and it doesn't match mine. Also some post list this amp should have 100v 8200 uf rail caps but mine and couple other people have see. 80v 15,000 uf rail caps. Why would that be? This hole thing seems fishy it just doesn't seem correct.
 

Chrispy

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Have you tried running it by Anthem? I don't think they offer phone contact these days, tho, so you'd have to submit an email....
 
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Ssmokeyy

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I was thinking about reaching out to George meyer shop and ask them if they have seen this and maybe try to send these pics in and what to hear what they say. I also wonder what type of caps these are. If there the snap in type maybe they won't be that hard to replace and I could try doing it my self. Order some nichicon muse caps and go to town. Maybe update the main rail caps just so there newer. Just thinking here. Sucks theater is down until I get this or another amp up and running.
 

amirm

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If there the snap in type maybe they won't be that hard to replace and I could try doing it my self.
There are no snap in capacitors (there are some super large ones with screws but that is not what you are dealing with). All of them require soldering. I think I saw that the PCB is double-sided so more of a pain than normal to replace.
 
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Ssmokeyy

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I need to find out what type of caps I'm working with here.
 

antcollinet

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pma

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Snap-ins are OK for bigger and heavier capacitors. For larger parts, there is no wire-only option, only snap-in or screw.
 
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