Crest Audio CA6 Amplifier Restoration, Part 1 of 2

Рет қаралды 45,503

11 жыл бұрын

Fixing up a professional power amp that has seen heavy use. Part 2 should be done in a few days, once the rest of the supplies arrive.

Пікірлер: 110

@DeadKoby 9 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your channel. I am a PC computer tech by trade... and I dabble with electronic stuff. Watching you work inspired me to "Dig Into" a few things that I would have written off. I have some basic test gear, and just checking voltage and continuity can tell you lots. Thanks!

@jrcimini 6 жыл бұрын

i bought a Crest Audio CA6 in 1995. Really nice amp. I forgot the reason why but it was recalled to have a factory modification done. Sounded great and sold it sometime in the mid 2000s.

@Mikeywil0003 11 жыл бұрын

They sound SOOOOO good, even thru the camera mic. I can only imagine how good they sound in person.

@RGD-Repairs 11 жыл бұрын

Sweet Maxx :D I love watching your amp repairs and restorations.. You know your stuff about a PCB. Hope that baby sounds beautiful after all that time and effort. Looking forward to VID 2

@martijnvv8031 8 жыл бұрын

Fantastic result !! I have two of these CA6 amps for my subwoofers and a CA4 for my top speakers (PA set-up) The power of these CA6 units are about 2x 600 Watt RMS @ 4 Ohm or 2x 750 Watt @ 2 Ohm. I use them bridged into 4 Ohm and then they pump out 1500 Watt @ 4 Ohm RMS , so I get a total of 3 Kw RMS power to my 4x 18 inch subs. The CA4 does 2x 400 Watt @ 4 Ohm and 1100 Watt @ 4 Ohm bridged, enough power to do indoor party's for about 200....250 people.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

You would definitely want to make sure you rinse with distilled water and dry really well. Even with an air compressor, it takes a minute or two to get all the water out from under certain components. I generally don't wash boards unless they are too dirty to use comfortably.

@erniesbudolab 11 жыл бұрын

Wow! Your attention to detail is amazing.

@rubber20021 9 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear Simple Green is your choice! It works and is gentle to electronics.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

I use a Hakko 808 desoldering gun and a Hakko 936 soldering station. It's also important to use good quality solder, and keep the tips in good shape for optimal heat transfer. Even with good equipment, some preheating of boards is sometimes necessary due to the large amount of copper absorbing the heat.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

Crest is sending me new decals. I was glad to see they still had them.

@ggattsr 11 жыл бұрын

Fantastic job as usual. Amazing attention to details. Thanks for sharing.

@MichaelAChang 11 жыл бұрын

Never tried Simple Green but will keep it in mind. Great video. I typically use 99% Isopropyl Alcohol with a cleaning tray and lean the modules or circuit boards at an angle while using a soft brush. It avoid disassembly unless there are other reasons to do so, and drys pretty quickly. Removes solder flux too.

@wynnful 9 жыл бұрын

the way its boards layout is designed is just like the Yamaha p series amps. real easy to disassemble.

@Maxxarcade 10 жыл бұрын

I use Simple Green. If you decide to dilute it, you must use distilled water to avoid corrosion. Also rinse with distilled water and dry with an air compressor or other thorough means.

@TheMissingtime 11 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful. I didn't know that the boards are 2 sided and you can recap the amp board without screwing with the output transistor leads of which there are thousands in my 9

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

I'll have to look at mine and see what they are. I don't recommend taking it apart unless you have to though. It's a ton of work to reassemble the output modules properly. You might get good results just by using an air compressor to blow the dust out. Mine was full of nicotine residue that caused everything to stick.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

Depends on the amp. This one is self discharging. I got a service manual from Crest and checked on that.

@Stranded360 11 жыл бұрын

hey man, your a smart dude- hope to one day have the expertise you have. Thanks for the vids man.

@g1fsh 11 жыл бұрын

I love your work buddy very methodical a plesure to watch your vids. Thanx

@jtrade34 11 жыл бұрын

Another suggestion, Sonic jewelry cleaner set on low to clean a mica insulators. Love your video's. I am addicted to Maxxarcade.

@lmull3 11 жыл бұрын

here's a question. if i were to clean a board with some BGA chips on it, should i be super concerned about cleaner and water getting under those?

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

Yep, I use them whenever possible.

@tough213 9 жыл бұрын

would you say that this amp and the Dr fong are the same sound quality or would you say one would be better then the other . they both look great . nice find

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

They have a pretty flat and neutral sound. The only crossover is a simple capacitor for the tweeter, which is not original. I'll be fixing them up soon, and will make a video then.

@johnnyx3608 6 жыл бұрын

wow.nice job.i have a problem with mine .one channel doest have sound output but has signal .do you what could the problem be.your help would b appreciated .thanks

@Miguelramirez-ow7ot 9 жыл бұрын

simple green reminds me of job corps. thats pretty much all they'd let us use to clean with

@jtrade34 11 жыл бұрын

Use a blow dryer to remove the decal. You can re attach this legend with double back tape film from any sign shop. or they can make you a new decal by scanning the old one and printing a new decal on an edge printer.

@JohnvL 9 жыл бұрын

Hi i use onlt the prof series (3301, 4801, 6001, enz) Thay are the best on the road. I use one 12 years never have any problem. The last series whit the ring trafo, need bult in a current limiter (same time as the inrush relay).

@zx8401ztv 11 жыл бұрын

Been there with the nicoteen covered equipment and repairs, yuck city. Im glad im not a smoker. Should be spot on when your finished max, i would modify the front panal board standoffs for internal screws, manufacturers do daft things like that. Smashing job mate :-)

@theignacio1978 10 жыл бұрын

Good video, hey I have a (c.a.) amp when I turn it on the protect light stays on, what do you think it is? Hope you can help, thanks, Junior

@RaymondSolo 6 жыл бұрын

Peavey bought out Crest back in the early 2000's, although Peavey gear is made in Mississippi USA it wouldn't surprise me if most of the parts are imported.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

There's a link in the video at about 1:35. Though I used the instrumental version here.

@RWL2012 7 жыл бұрын

A pub local to me has a CA6 and a CA9 running a pair of RCF 15" speakers and like 4-6 pairs of Bose 301s, haha

@spankymcnolan1 11 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I was actually looking into buying a reflow machine for myself lol It seems like a great skill to have since about 60% of the laptop's I get come from dell or hp who have known defective video cards on some series..

@DavidSmith-dm8ew 6 жыл бұрын

I got one from a recycling place that's missing the toroid transformer and I need to find the output voltages

@JulioDIYAudio 2 жыл бұрын

i love seeing these kind of restoration..sir can i ask where did you buy those decals? and what cleaning solution did you use??or is it like soap and water???

@spankymcnolan1 11 жыл бұрын

What would you recommend for a good soldering iron or brand? I bought a bulk of 7 hp monitors that had blown cap's and a bad fuse so when I had to remove the cap's it took forever for me to get the caps off because I felt like my iron was not getting hot enough. But that project is now done, just looking for a better one for future use.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

I don't know a lot about them, other than they are from Fraizer cinema cabinets. The woofer is made by Eminence, and the tweeter is a Philips. I hope to do a separate video about them soon since I get asked about them almost every day LOL.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

If the parts come in on time, I'm hoping to finish it by Sunday. Otherwise it should be sometime next week.

@maurmun 11 жыл бұрын

I just got a used CA6, fully functional but dirty like Your; just a question ... what is the size of the allen wrench you used to remove the screws of the output transistors, and the size of those screws?

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

The size was 3/32. All other screws on the transistors are #1 philips.

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

I think I used it pure for this project. But if you want to dilute it, use distilled water. Tap water can be bad for electronics.

@d.jkellzworldentertainment9561 3 жыл бұрын

Good day please I want to ask, if I should add up 4 capacitors to the 4 inside before will it still work properly or it will give me power board problem please I want to know before I like to have one but I like it strong and powerful please answer thanks...

@rwdplz1 11 жыл бұрын

Do you use straight Simple Green, or how much do you dilute it?

@alex1_1_2 11 жыл бұрын

nice project even for a computer guy like me that knows nothing about amps

@bratface90210 11 жыл бұрын

You could use a heat gun onto that front sticker when you remove it so soften the glue and make it easier to go back on aswell

@1wildsss 10 жыл бұрын

Would you have a photo of which one do I know which one to buy

@TheMissingtime 11 жыл бұрын

Any hope of recapping the amp board without removing transistors? Maybe bend the leads and board?

@SuperCarver2011 9 жыл бұрын

How do you keep track of all the screws and plugs and where they go? Disgusting crud inside the fans and amp.

@MrMac5150 11 жыл бұрын

are those mica slips so that the transistor can not be grounded to the aluminium or for some other use..

@musk74 10 жыл бұрын

Hi ! I intend to buy a CA6 in the next days. What is ure favorite cleaning liquid for elektronic boards ?

@YankeeSoutherner1945 11 жыл бұрын

Do you use 105 degree rated caps in regular home audio equipment too?

@maurmun 11 жыл бұрын

I know the huge work there, I'll appreciate if You will be able to tell me the size. I'm planning to replace the mica insulators with kapton one, which have less Thermal resistence and will allow the output transistor to run cooler also at the same heatsink temperature

@markkesler4603 4 жыл бұрын

Would it be any luck that you located on the coast of Mississippi and Gulfport

@mikeunivers 11 жыл бұрын

what kind of cleaning solution did you use to remove that yellow thing

@ajbrn70 9 жыл бұрын

I can't believe your giving away all the trade secrets lol.

@ngtflyer 9 жыл бұрын

ajbrn70 This is a dying art, so posting these videos and details helps others learn and hopefully continue to keep the older, and often better, gear working.

@gerwinpercibigan881 8 жыл бұрын

i have ca9 and i have a problem with it,to all masters there i need your help,why the zener diode in the pre amp section in5357b z1,z5,z7.....,,,5w 20v always overheating and after a couple of days broke down!i need a help guys your comments and suggestions is much appreciated thank you!

@Maxxarcade 11 жыл бұрын

This was Awoken, the more positive sequel to RF (which wasn't really my thing) :-)

@badspel 11 жыл бұрын

For those who don't know always wear gloves when cleaning nicotine.It can be absorbed through the skin and make you sick and dizzy. Even if you are a smoker it can deliver a massive dose that affects anybody. FYI

@Mikeywil0003 11 жыл бұрын

hey Maxx, what brand and model are those speakers that are in your wall, i have some decent speaker cabinets that need drivers, and i wanted to get somethin like what you have for them.

@markkesler4603 4 жыл бұрын

Where's this guy located I got a bunch of stuff for this man to work on

@DJLARRY333 8 жыл бұрын

Hi... what kind of liquid you used to clean the PCB???

@svtcontour 11 жыл бұрын

Hi Friend, so how do you like this amp? I'm looking for an amp to run four 15" subwoofers for a home theater. Looking at the Crest CA6 and the QSC RMX 1450. I did try one of the Crown XLS 1500 but the bass is weak compared to my vintage Soundcraftsmen. Not much power in the infrasonic range on the crown.

@JohntechFL 11 жыл бұрын

I'll let you know in a couple days. I gotta repair a CA6 of a friends. He had another tech repair it by replacing a ballooned cap but it blew out after 20 minutes of use so I'm assuming the previous guy didn't use a quality cap.

@llthpofh 11 жыл бұрын

and all the bands i work for wonder why my gear sounds so good and never overheats it becuz i do the same thing you are doing for this amp yr'ely

@JesseTinkers 11 жыл бұрын

ahahah i knew straight away you were playing an instrumental of rainbow factory :P

@mccunecp 11 жыл бұрын

it sounds funny but I have taken computer mother boards and other parts and put them in the dish washer and then put it in a oven to dry. and wala clean baords. ect.

@evanjohnmo 11 жыл бұрын

so weird they didn't use the speakon jacks.

@lmull3 11 жыл бұрын

now i know what to use to clean out a PowerMac G5 i have that's FULL of cigarette shit. that'll be one hell of a project.

@1monstertech 11 жыл бұрын

most of the Crest Audio stuff is still made in the US, the low end series amplifiers are made in china by all of the higher end stuff including the CA series is still made in the US

@56kflyingtoaster 11 жыл бұрын

that thing in the middle in massive :O

@michaelcapen4440 Ай бұрын

Do you still provide this service?

@rubbenscott1277 7 жыл бұрын

someone to halp me my big amplifieir CA9 doesn´t active just stay on standby, i am new in electronic, but if some halp i can walk, please someone

@ptvav 3 жыл бұрын

Hello. Tell me please, can it replace a good home amplifier? What level of sound quality does it have compared to HIFI amplifiers? I have acoustics with low sensitivity and many recommend an amplifier with a good power reserve, but I'm more interested in quality. Thanks.

@Maxxarcade 3 жыл бұрын

Pro Audio amplifiers can sound really good if you have a proper preamp. I use several Crown K2 amps in my home theater, driven by a Yamaha CX-A5100 preamp and it sounds great to me. All you can really do is get some equipment to try out. Not all amps sound the same, and some need more signal than others. Many PA amplifiers need an input of about 1.4 volts, where home audio is around 0.7 volts for full output.

@supadielektro4602 7 жыл бұрын

bos saya kesulitan cari elco power crest pl 9001 gimana cara dapatnya0

@jesterraj 8 жыл бұрын

hey what soldering iron do you use? im looking for a good one tired of goin thru them...any recommendations?......

@Maxxarcade 8 жыл бұрын

+Raj Dann I use Hakko stuff. There are a lot of knockoffs, so make sure you get the real thing.

@1wildsss 10 жыл бұрын

Which type of simple green did you use?

@Maxxarcade 10 жыл бұрын

It was just the gallon jug concentrate.

@slimjim119 11 жыл бұрын

looking good why not add the caps make it even cleaner sounding

@jflores1675 4 жыл бұрын

Hi maxxarcade where are you located please thank you

@permagnusson2886 8 жыл бұрын

Did you use diluted or non diluted simple green to clean the pcb?

@Maxxarcade 8 жыл бұрын

+Per Magnusson I've done both depending on how dirty it is.

@Maxxarcade 8 жыл бұрын

+Dj Larry It was just the regular Simple Green in the gallon jug. Not the newer variants or anything.

@DJLARRY333 8 жыл бұрын

+Maxxarcade Thank you very much , I have trouble getting debris to the pcb 's and could not find a product that did.

@eugeniopithan2725 7 жыл бұрын

NE5517, lM13600, lM13700 ,equivalent ics !

@smoker1kk 8 жыл бұрын

heat up the front panel sticker with hot air gun or hair dryer next time you run into anything like this. :) your channel is my tv now. thx for sharing.

@igor1126 8 жыл бұрын

We have CA18 (I think it's the biggest one) and filter capacitors leaked. The caps are bigger, 75V 18000uF. Can you point me where can I buy them? I don't mind getting some with higher voltage but can't find the right size. It has to be 1 3/8" X 4 5/8, otherwise it won't fit. Anyone? Please help. Thanks.

@Maxxarcade 8 жыл бұрын

+Igor I looked around a bit and haven't had much luck either. You might want to try contacting Peavey to see if they still stock those. They still had decals for this CA6 at the time, so it's very possible they might have replacement caps. Are you sure they leaked, and that you're not seeing some adhesive around the caps?

@igor1126 8 жыл бұрын

+Maxxarcade Positive! The orange rubber things popped and leaked all over board. I was looking for higher voltage caps but they are all physically too large and won't fit. I guess I can get some big ones and run some wires outside of case and have them outside as an option. But yeah, I'll try to contact Peavey. Do you know how much higher in V and uF can I go?

@LuxorVan 8 жыл бұрын

+Igor I take it you need the two prong screw mounted caps? Try looking at a higher UF rating it just means internal resistance will be less, next size up is 22000 UF! You need 35mm x 117mm by description but if you could fit 1 5/8" diameter 40mm they have 5 80v 22000uf caps available in miami on ebay 281246658839

@igor1126 8 жыл бұрын

+LuxorVan No, 1 5/8 is too large. Its very tight over there. im not sure if i can post any links here, but here is the picture of it app.box.com/s/m7dbt3udssf9rmnz1v5jkuv2yk53fab4 I did the way i described in my previous post, so for now my capacitors are outside of case, but the amp is working. I guess its a temporary solution, but it works for me. Also the distance between the screw terminals on 1 5/8 is bigger, so they wont fit that way too. But thanks for your reply.

@ThatGuyKappa 9 жыл бұрын

ADD! more capacitors! lmao soo do it, ive heard of people using their dish washers for cleaning electronics, would sonic cleaning be advised for electronics cleaning? Ewww i wouldn't do that kinda cleaning without gloves LOL, and yes mica sheets suck cause they crack!, maybe kapton tape is better?

@vinayaksagar3112 5 жыл бұрын

Crest Audio CA6 Amplifie draiver bord niv want

@mq1991 11 жыл бұрын

Just about to sleep... nevermind! :)

@lmull3 11 жыл бұрын

well, i know the first thing i need to do now. get an air compressor! lol

@bluekeybord7905 8 жыл бұрын

Aww no vocals to the song, don't worry, I'll add them NOW IVE AWOKEN, AND IM TAKING BACK CONTROL!!!!!!!

@zx8401ztv 11 жыл бұрын

It makes equipment stink as well, and ive had to repair some very stinky things :-/ I dont want to think about my lungs coated with that crap if i had been a smoker, pooow lol.