So... my amplifier just exploded!

Soldato
Joined
6 May 2009
Posts
20,411
My £500 Nad C370 was switched on but not playing any music and I could hear it making slight cracking noises. I turned if off for a minute or so then back on and the cracking noises continued. I smelt it and it smelt bad so (luckily) stepped back and it went bang, quite a loud band and flash inside.

Should I risk turning it back on? I think if I had been touching it when it blew up I would have got a serious shock
 
Yes, I know its a stupid idea to turn it on and it wont anyway. Think I just had a retard moment thinking if I should try turning it back on. Just very annoyed now as its a giant paper weight

I'll see if anyone can repair it
 
Although the main caps (purple) on these amps can blow very spectacularly, they also go dead short with no other signs of failure.

Check Q703 and Q702 which are thyristors that are mounted to the heatsinks at the bottom left of your second picture. If a cap is short then one of them is likely to have blown its top off.

Also, as itchy said, check underneath for blown printed circuit track.

Cheers. (at least 1 or 2 good answers in here :) )

I have sent it off for repair earlier but will check the back of the board when its returned to check for brown burn marks and Q703 & Q702.
 
Thanks

It was definately a loud bang. It made my ears ring

I initially though it was going to burst into flames but luckily didnt. I was about to run to get a damp towel before unplugging it from the main
 
I now have it back from repair. It cost £55 and comes with a 3 month warranty
Notes say;

Strip down trace and replace failed output and drive transistors. Setup as required
Resolver dry joints
Rebuild and tested ok.

Will post a couple of pics later on but it works and I am happy as have (proper) music again
 
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