4 blown fuses on a Parasound power amp... Is this a leaking capacitor or just glue?

[LeeH]

Picked up a stack of audio equipment from an estate sale. Included were two, Parasound HCA-1000A power amps. One works. The other has four blown fuses. Haven't tracked down the replacement fuses yet, but wondering if they're going to just blow again. I don't see anything obvious under the hood.

This cap is on the power supply board. Doesn't looks swollen at the top, but there is some brown stuff on the board underneath.

Any suggestions? Leaky capacitor or just too much glue?

[slodave]

Bad cap. They can pop from the bottom as well.

[nota]

eazy fix

desoidering braid and a low power pencil iron

replace with new NON-china cap same spec

[slodave]

Yup.

[Nostril Cheese]

be sure to discharge the cap properly before removing it.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

be sure to discharge the cap properly before removing it.

That would be with your tongue and someone videoing.

[LeeH]

Looking closer, I see more of that same stuff in various places on other boards. I know they're not all bad.

I'll pop the top on the good amp and see what it looks like.

[slodave]

You can make out the glue on and stringing from the small cap to the wires on the left. The stuff between the larger caps looks different and more in line with a leak.

[rick-l]

solder flux?

From a previous repair?

[billybek]

Did you turn them up to 11?

[rick-l]

You can get the schematic here.
PARASOUND HCA-1000A Service Manual free download, schematics, eeprom, repair info for electronics

under the picture where it says get manual

or it sounds like parasound will e-mail you one.

[LeeH]

I cracked open the other Parasound amp. It looks identical. Same brown blobs in the same places. Guess I'll buy some fuses and keep my fingers crossed.

[rick-l]

Figuring out why both sides blew may present a challenge. If you figure it out it does not look like it would be too expensive to fix.

2SC3519 - ALLEGRO SANKEN - TRANSISTOR, BJT, NPN, 160V, 15A | Newark

2SA1386 - ALLEGRO SANKEN - TRANSISTOR, BJT, PNP, -160V, | Newark

Notice they are on sale too.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Figuring out why both sides blew may present a challenge. If you figure it out it does not look like it would be too expensive to fix.

2SC3519 - ALLEGRO SANKEN - TRANSISTOR, BJT, NPN, 160V, 15A | Newark

2SA1386 - ALLEGRO SANKEN - TRANSISTOR, BJT, PNP, -160V, | Newark

Notice they are on sale too.

Yeah, isn't that always the case. I've got a 70s Kenwood quad receiver that worked when I got it but the power switch was sticky. I cycled it a dozen times in quick succession without thinking to unplug it. Never heard another sound out of it. I know the parts are cheap... it's just figuring out what's wrong that's the challenge. I don't have the skills to do the troubleshooting.

The Parasound wouldn't be that bad to work on. The Kenwood looks like it would be a nightmare!

I'm wondering if there is any abuse someone could have put the amp through that would have popped the fuses or if something else is definitely fried.

[rick-l]

If you don't fix it let me know when you put it on ebay

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by rick-l

If you don't fix it let me know when you put it on ebay

Hopefully I'll pick up the fuses tomorrow.

This is the whole stack from the estate sale. There was also a power center and a dozen or so chunky interconnect cables, too. Considering just the Creek DA Converter on top is worth about $150, I think it was a good buy for $350.

[LeeH]

Replaced the four blown fuses... so far so good! We have sound from both channels of the amp! My wife's out of town tomorrow. We'll see if it holds up under some volume.

[kach22i]

I've been messing around with an old direct drive turntable lately.

It can be fun and a learning experience.

Your stack looks like a lot of stuff for someone interested in going with separates in a home theater set up.