Super new newbie

[Bose(o)]

This is my first post on this forum, I'm brand spankin' new. My father has a BOSE spatial control reciever powering his BOSE 901 Series IV, he used to have an RG Dynamics Pro-20 Processor, but, that burned out. I'm here asking how I would fix the Processor, what tools to use?? how?? I've asked electronics teachers, yet, they're brainless. Also, the spatial reciever likes to cut out the channels when kicked into Stereo mode, setting the mode to mono fixes this. She really needs a rebuild. Changing the heatsink for this beast is idiotic, it's massive already. How do I go upon rebuilding this and testing to see what's garbage?? Is there a URL someone can give me to teach myself the innards of an amplifier. Right now it just looks like a box of PCB to me. I don't want to have this type of message on a forum like this however, no one feels they can teach me right now. Next year my school gets a guy that worked with sunfire (Bob Carver amps and stuff) I'll ask him next year about stuff, but, for now...

(I believe the problem to be the power amplifiers, considering they are controlled by the stereo/mono switch)

[Silverpike]

Bose(o):

Welcome to the forum. I myself am new here too, but in an effort to try and help someone else for a change I will do my best to answer your question.

My father has a BOSE spatial control reciever powering his BOSE 901 Series IV, he used to have an RG Dynamics Pro-20 Processor, but, that burned out. I'm here asking how I would fix the Processor, what tools to use??

I believe the first question you should ask yourself is : Is this device worth repairing? Does it server some irreplacable function? I a lot of cases, it may be quicker (and cheaper) to purchase new gear (or used gear) instead of trying to fix the old. For the most part, it depends on how expensive the item is, or what value it offers you over what can be purchased new.

I can't tell from your post what kind of function this thing serves. I would argue that it would be very hard to fix it unless you know what it does.

The fixing issue depends a lot on how far you are willing to go. I gather from your post that you are new to this. It should also be emphsized that you really need some background in electronics theory and some experience with hands-on electronics to have a reasonable probability for success. The difficulty with audio repair in particular is that (usually) it requires some expensive gear to really do the job right. If you are lucky, you may get away with using a DMM, but in many cases you would need a transistor measurement device and at the very least a functional soldering iron. Some of this gear takes time and investigation to aquire.

A lot of electronics repair is based on experience and knowing what to look for. If you are really interested in going this route, your local library may have some references available. If that does not pan out, I know there are many books you can buy. Just do a simple search on Amazon.

I hope this helps you. Post again if you are serious about continuing down the DIY path.

[djk]

Re: the Bose, try playing with the tape monitor switches. On the GR Dynamics piece, see if there are any 2SK30 transistors in it.

[promitheus]

What exactly is the problem ? I don´t really understand the problem. I don´t think though that all the channels could burn from the amps, it´s something impossible. If nothing at all works it´s mostly possible to be the power supply. We need to make the problem specific and then accordingly you have to find which parts of the amp don´t function correctly. This can be done maybe by looking at the pcb or you may need a circuit diagram.

[Bose(o)]

I understand where you guys are all coming from, my original post is indeed a scatter of words coming from frustration. My desire to learn has brought me to realize that we aren't in a world where learning how to fly a hellicopter isn't a matter of asking and in nanoseconds knowing (Matrix, heheh). I will gain experience with soldering irons, and a computer science teacher that knows what he is doing will show me almost everything I need to know (he used to build his own amplifiers). I will now thank you for your time and patience and explain the problems in two seperate paragraphs. Thank you.
Receiver: The right channel seems to loose all of it's intelligble sound and becomes pops, and crackles, yet, some music still plays. This specific situation only occurs when Stereo mode occurs. When in Mono mode, both channels would cut out and then back on. My guess still is the Power amplifiers, whatever those look like I do know that after the Power amplifiers come the spring clips. verdict: Trash it, I'm getting this deal through BOSE anyway.

Pre-Amp Rg Dynamics Pr-20 processor: The Left-channel and Right-channel lights are nocked out completely, the LEDs are controlled by a seperate PCB. NO SOUND period when connecting the pre-amp between source (CD) and primary output (Reciever). When the volume on the pre-amp and amp is cranked there is barely any music being played. verdict: This will probably be my first project. It's garbage already, so if I make a mistake it's OK.

[AudioFreak]

you say that with the volume control cranked to the max there is only a little sound coming out ... this is important... there is sound coming out.... sounds like the voltage gain stage on the preamp is dead and maybe something else also but the voltage gain stage definately sounds dead to me.

[JoeBob]

If this is your first project, why not try building something from scratch? I always find that building is actually easier the repairing. Just my 2 cents...

[AudioFreak]

repairing is ok if you've got the service manual ... the right tools ... a relyable source of replacement parts .... and you've got @ least some idea of what initially caused the fault .... otherwise it is a majorly big pain in da rear.

[Bose(o)]

Any of you guys want to repair it?? No, jk. Do you have any suggestions on what I should gain experience?? Radioshack 101 kit and a soldering iron w/a multi-meter?

[JoeBob]

Alot more then just a soldering iron, you need to learn how to solder well. Practice on something else for a while. I'm building my first amp now, and if I didn't have all my soldering experience it wouldn't be pretty. If you're going to repair a mass produced product which was machine made the components will more then likely be very close together, probably needing good soldering skills and a fine tipped iron.