Bridged amp pt.2

[Gabevee]

Folks,

Taking the tips from Promitheus, Envisionaudio, mrfeedback, Joe and others, I broke open my Optimus 4 channel/ 2 chanel bridged amplifier and did some things.

First, I found that the power supply had 2200 µF caps. I will get 4700's to pop in there. But... I may not.

I layed a thick solder bead in the primary circuit of the transformer, from the leads to the FETs. I also did some of the secondary, all the while thinking to myself "what the heck am I doing! Solder is tin and lead, and I could have used copper wire for likely the same cost!" But, I did it anyway, since I didn't have 18 gauge solid wire handy. I also fixed a loose RCA connection which was driving me crazy. One channel would occasionally pop in and out. I also resoldered all the other RCA joints, and a cheap solder joint I did with the iron and solder that came in the tool kit I got from my job. I was out of town and didn't bring my own stuff. I didn't expect to need to solder anything.

Anyway...

HOLY COW!!!!

Can this amp sound any better??????

Not only is it clearer, but the bass doesn't begin to lose punch after a sustained note. It did originally, but subtly. Most people wouldn't notice, but I sure did. Every so often a kick drum would sound louder than at other times. Now everything comes through with equal punch.

And detail?? I actually heard the fingers taken off the fret of an acoustic guitar in a Peter, Paul and Mary song ("Don't think twice, it's alright") during the opening guitar riff. Holy cow! Much warmer, fuller and cleaner. Lovin' it! And I am mainly a TUBE guy.

But don't get your hopes up... I can do the same with much simpler circuitry with tubes.

Thanks to all and special thanks to EnvisionAudio who recommended the exttra solder!

Gabe, driving to work with a big smile on my face!

[EnvisionAudio]

It's kind of amazing what the seemingly small things you can do to car amplifiers to make them sound better. I've always believed that 80% of the sound of a car amplifier has to do with the power supply. Pyramid amplifiers USED to have some decent supplies. I have a four channel "Gold Series" version from the late 80's with a Faraday cage built around the entire PS board which is physically divided from the audio section. That's just not seen anymore.