Bulging caps - Dead Amp?

SirConfused · 12 Jun 2019 at 19:49

Hi All,

So as the title says I've got a bit of an issue with an amp. The device in question is an Arcam P7 and it's been cutting in and out on several channels but not all for a while now. Initially I thought it was a connection issue to the speakers but I took the case off and found that quite a few of the capacitors are bulging and appear to be pressing in to the adjacent PCBs (see pics).

The only time I've seen properly busted caps was when they were actually leaking, which these don't appear to be doing upon a first inspection. Am I kidding myself and they're really gone or is this a redeemable situation?

PiKe · 12 Jun 2019 at 19:55

You can't always tell until you start removing them.

SirConfused · 12 Jun 2019 at 20:02

Thanks for the quick response, but I have a feeling Arcam wouldn't take kindly to a repair return if I started de-soldering and ripping components out though... I was just trying to get an idea if it was likely or not before I decide to send it off or not.

PiKe · 12 Jun 2019 at 20:05

If the unit is old, then it's likely to be caps.

SirConfused · 12 Jun 2019 at 20:24

I suspected as much. I guess it's a trip to the dealer for me then!

andy_mk3 · 12 Jun 2019 at 20:26

Leaking or not, bulged caps need replacing.

jpaul · 13 Jun 2019 at 11:52

Do the channels that cut correspond to caps that are different ... cant see from the picture, which you think might be distinctive,
I usually clean dust on everything when I open it up , a gesture to preventative maintenance

Also usually leave amps on all the time , since temp cycling contributes to ageing.

hornetstinger · 13 Jun 2019 at 13:09

jpaul said:
Also usually leave amps on all the time , since temp cycling contributes to ageing.

So does leaving on all the time. Plus if you're only there couple of hours and may not use the system anyway it's a waste of electricity.

SirConfused · 13 Jun 2019 at 23:53

I use the system a couple of times a week, at most... so leaving on is absolutely not economical

As far as I can tell, the more bulgey caps do correspond to the less reliable channels. I've marked up the ones that look worst and swapped things around to test and it all seems to be tying up so far. Ultimately it looks like only 2 channels are still solid though. Apparently Arcam do a fixed price repair though, so I'm just waiting on a price for that from my local dealer now.