My sub has gone kaput.

DaveyF · Oct 19, 2013

After having completed the re-do of my HT system, I plug in the sub and after a little blue flash....the sub is done!

( amp section blown). The sub I am referring to is a PSB Subsonic 5i, that was pretty impressive up until this event. The PSB factory tells me that since the piece is no longer manufactured, the amp module is no longer readily available and therefore the cost to replace is more than the sub itself!! This is an event that I'm afraid will be more and more common as powered subs age. The amp section ( according to several dealer's that i spoke to and the PSB factory is NOT likely to last given the stresses that are in the box, etc. Which is why the amp section is warranted for a MUCH shorter time than the driver!!)
Something to think about when buying that uber expensive powered sub that is coming more and more into favor.
I went with another REL T5 ( like these A LOT). PSB for me is no longer a contender.

rbbert · Oct 19, 2013

This is an argument for putting the sub amp outside the enclosure, not the most common thing these days though.

Velodyne for one seems willing to repair (for a reasonable price) even some of their old, no longer manufactured amps.

RogerD · Oct 19, 2013

rbbert said:
This is an argument for putting the sub amp outside the enclosure, not the most common thing these days though.

Velodyne for one seems willing to repair (for a reasonable price) even some of their old, no longer manufactured amps.

I have a Velodyne FSR18 that bought new back in the late 90's,it went kaput too,but Velodyne rebuilt the amp for 300,had it back to me in 2 weeks,not bad at all.

ack · Oct 19, 2013

DaveyF said:
After having completed the re-do of my HT system, I plug in the sub and after a little blue flash....the sub is done! ( amp section blown). The sub I am referring to is a PSB Subsonic 5i, that was pretty impressive up until this event. The PSB factory tells me that since the piece is no longer manufactured, the amp module is no longer readily available and therefore the cost to replace is more than the sub itself!! This is an event that I'm afraid will be more and more common as powered subs age. The amp section ( according to several dealer's that i spoke to and the PSB factory is NOT likely to last given the stresses that are in the box, etc. Which is why the amp section is warranted for a MUCH shorter time than the driver!!)
Something to think about when buying that uber expensive powered sub that is coming more and more into favor.
I went with another REL T5 ( like these A LOT). PSB for me is no longer a contender.

I've had my REL for 10 years now, with no issues, but that was before they were sold; so here's hoping the quality is still up there.

RogerD · Oct 19, 2013

I guess 300 was a hell of a deal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Velodyne-DD...61?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item257df1fd41

Gregadd · Oct 19, 2013

Old school says a cmparable model should have been offered at the same price.

DaveyF · Oct 19, 2013

In my instance, PSB quoted me over $550- to replace ( they cannot repair) the amp module! Did not seem like an economical or practical thing to do...so new sub it is.
BTW, anyone know why the sub's amp is NOT located outside the cabinet?...would seem to make a lot more sense, while being only slightly more expensive to manufacture.

astrotoy · Oct 20, 2013

RogerD said:
I guess 300 was a hell of a deal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Velodyne-DD...61?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item257df1fd41

For my DD18 it was $345 to repair the amp including shipping back to me. If I had to send in the sub itself, it would be slightly over $1000, plus my son-in-law would have to be here with at least two of his friends.

Larry

rbbert · Oct 20, 2013

DaveyF said:
In my instance, PSB quoted me over $550- to replace ( they cannot repair) the amp module! Did not seem like an economical or practical thing to do...so new sub it is.
BTW, anyone know why the sub's amp is NOT located outside the cabinet?...would seem to make a lot more sense, while being only slightly more expensive to manufacture.

Some are; for instance, I think the Wilson Thor's Hammer, and the Scaena's (perhaps some RAMF attendees can help out here?). When I got my VMPS sub a year ago, Brian essentially forced me to go with an external amp/xover, saying that putting the amp in the sub enclosure was asking for trouble.

DaveyF · Oct 20, 2013

rbbert said:
Some are; for instance, I think the Wilson Thor's Hammer, and the Scaena's (perhaps some RAMF attendees can help out here?). When I got my VMPS sub a year ago, Brian essentially forced me to go with an external amp/xover, saying that putting the amp in the sub enclosure was asking for trouble.

I think Brian gave you some VERY good advice.

Gregadd · Oct 20, 2013

DaveyF said:
In my instance, PSB quoted me over $550- to replace ( they cannot repair) the amp module! Did not seem like an economical or practical thing to do...so new sub it is.
BTW, anyone know why the sub's amp is NOT located outside the cabinet?...would seem to make a lot more sense, while being only slightly more expensive to manufacture.

I don't know. Not everyone likes to look at their equipment like audiophiles.Some want to conceal as much as possible.

DaveyF · Oct 20, 2013

Gregadd said:
I don't know. Not everyone likes to look at their equipment like audiophiles.Some want to conceal as much as possible.

Probably true, OTOH...when the sub craps out because the amp has failed due to the internal stresses ( and after a fairly short life),..then the increase in reliability would probably
off-set the aesthetics.

RogerD · Oct 20, 2013

Aren't most integral sub's class D now. I think most feel that it is better to have a Sub with a built in amp. Depending on your replacement cost of a like unit,maybe the 550 was fair.no matter you went with a new one. For some reason these integral subs seem to be good for ten years,because caps dry out. If you still have the old one,maybe you can sell it and recoup some of your cost. With a repair path,you should get some monies back.

P.s. I have a sub with nothing so I needed a crossover and amp,that came to 1K+

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My sub has gone kaput.

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