cheap GemSound amp

[Dan2]

Hi
Firstly, could i ask what the difference is between a solid state amp and a chip amp?? 'cos i'm not too sure if i'm in the right forum, but i'll put my msg here anyway.

i recently bought a GemSound AV 316 home theatre amp- it was really cheap and i found out why when i plugged my speakers into it.

At low volume, there is a lot of distortion that goes away when you turn it louder. i opened it up and the signal is clean from the preamp. it seems that the input to the power amp has to be at a certain level before it works properly.

as a temperary measure, i hooked up all my speakers in series to increase the resistance. it works but it's not ideal.

if anyone has had this type of amp and can help me, that would be great. please remember i am an ameteur at electronics so not too many big words:-)

PS: i have a circuit diagram of the amp that i can put in my next msg if you need it.

[sousmielie]

Hi Dan2,

I don't really know how to explain this, as I am not sure of what you know and don't, anyway here goes...

A chip amp is one that uses a IC or Integrated Circuit. A IC contains alot of circuitry, which is made very small, contains transistors, resistors, capacitors etc. and is cased inside a silicon casing. They are the tipe you would usually get inside portable Boomboxes, computer speakers, places that have limited space.

A solid state amp is a amp which you actually have to use alot more of your brain power to build, as you have to design your own circuit.

In other words, which would maybe make more sense, IC amps are easy to build, because most of the maths are done by IC manufacturers whereas solid state you'll be needing maths.


I have fixed some GemSound car amps before, only one had a simular prob. Send me the shcematic, and I'll have to look.

Regards,

Werner

[Dan2]

Hey

Sorry i have taken so long to reply - i have been busy with matric finals - plus i have had a problem trying to compress the picture.
i have used a program that splits info (ie. the picture), all you have to do is download all the files, put them into a folder and double click the .bat file. i have to send 5 attachments. please tell me if you get all of them. thanks :-)

[Dan2]

this is the second file

[Dan2]

the 3rd one

[Dan2]

4th

[Dan2]

last one!! sorry to do this - but it is the only way i can keep the quality good enough to read.

[sousmielie]

Hi,

Thanks, I'll have a look tomorrow, getting a bit tired. I finished matric 2 years ago, had the highest in the country for electronics HG and electricians work SG... Good luck with your exams, study hard, as you'll be glad that you did as soon as you start at university. I'm studing at UJ or Josie at the moment, mail me if you need any help...

Regards,
Werner

[sousmielie]

Hi Dan2,

I'm busy looking at your schematic. Can you maybe post the other part of the circuit. It should have the controls on it. Thanx.

Regards,
Werner

[Dan2]

this is all it gives. i hope it helps.

one thing i forgot to mention - R 139 and R156 i took out and replaced with a piece of wire. i know i shouldn't but it did make the distortion a little less noticable - only problem is that there is a hiss that comes through, but it's not serious.