Older amplifiers and worn out capacitors?

[Colin - STAPUFT]

Very interesting indeed.

I believe I have an amp that the caps are going out. The amp plays a bit dirty... it puts a bit of a whine through the speakers (same if the car is off or running or whatever). The only time I can tell a difference is when the battery is weak or when I am really stressing the system. If the battery is weak, the noise is much worse. And if I stress the system, that amp will pop off the fuses. I bet the caps are drying up.

I would pull mine out, but it would be a booger to do.

I understand the need to replace the capacitors if they are completely gone, but if they are just getting weaker or old- why not just step up the power close to the amp?

[J R]

The amp plays a bit dirty... it puts a bit of a whine through the speakers (same if the car is off or running or whatever).

It probably has nothing to do with your issue, but when I play music through my iPhone's 30 pin dock connection it has a whine you can hear at any volume if you know it's there. When I hook up the AUX cable instead I can't hear it.

I'm sure theres a simple explanation for my whine but maybe a similar issue due to my amp being from the 80's?

[revoracing247]

bringing this thread back haha im just at school and this kid with a 6 y.o. kicker 4chn amp brought it into the lab here trying to figure out why one of the channels is whining. could old/dried up caps cause that? it's not an alt whine or engine noise.

[SteveND]

I've recapped my guitar amps about every 10 years, so I would think with the heat I'm going to be recapping my old school amps before putting them in my new build..

interesting thread..

good read