m200's breaking down?

Hello, I recently purchased 2x- 2200 m-blocks to replace 2x- 200 m-blocks (old version). The 200's were sounding fine most of the time but occasionally would cause the speaker to sound as if there was a loose speaker connection and sometimes the sound to the speaker would drop off for a few seconds entirely and then return. Sometimes I could listen to music for hours without a single incident and then the next day the sound to the speaker would drop in and out within 5 minutes of use. (It really reminded me of the old receivers where the volume knob became dirty and a little contact spray would fix the problem.) I tried everything including replacing the speaker wire, the cable between the preamp processor and amp, swapping speakers, and even swapping the preamp processor with one that I had in my bedroom. Since I replaced the 200's with the 2200's all is well again. I'm thinking that probably a component in the 200's is breaking down. Also the one 200 is worse then the other and I believe both were used on the front main speakers. I say believe because all of my components (including 7- 200's) were moved not long ago to a 19” rack using shelves for the 200's. (a stack of 3. 2, and 2) The question I'm wondering about is if the 200's could be repaired and would it be cost effective. What can I do with them? Your input would be appreciated. Thank you.

I am sure Outlaw can repair the amps. From past experience and reading others experience with the repair department they are very reasonable for repair rates. Shipping is likely to be the unknown expense. It sounds like the output caps are failing which is a known electronic failure in older equipment. Based on that I would think it is cost effective to repair them as they would be good for another similar timeframe.

The only caveat to getting the 200s repaired at a reasonable cost is that you must have the factory packing to ship. Outlaw will sell you the packing if you need it.

Ok.. Thank you for the info. I'll have to look for the 200 boxes but if they're not here maybe Outlaw will let me use the 2200 boxes and packing material. I'll have to give them a call and see but probably sometime after the holiday. Thanks again.

Either should fit them just fine. You can open a ticket on the web site rather than call, if you wish. You'll need an RMA.

http://support.outlawaudio.com/

I seem to have developed the exact same problem. I also have 7 200's that I had not been using for five or so years. Now that they are back in service with four ohm speakers this time I have the exact problem you are describing with multiple 200's. Going to call support to see if they have seen this before and if the 200's are worth fixing.
Have to be honest, not sure if I want 7 2200's now that this has happened.

The problem you are experiencing is probably due to the capacitors drying out on the output stages. Amps need to be powered up occasionally to charge the caps and keep them in good shape. The repair is pretty straight forward and cheaper than you think.

Thanks, never would have thought of that. Do you think keeping them in standby would have prevented the problem? I wonder if they would let me drop them off and pick them up? Shipping seven boxes will be a pain.

I think the output stages have to be hot to preserve the caps. I don't know where Outlaws repairs would be done so pickup and dropoff is hard to say.

I had the same problem. It started in one of the surround channels at low volumes. You're right when you compared it with a dirty volume knob. After cleaning every connection in the chain, I decided to open the worst one up. The problem I found was dirty contacts in the speaker protection/muting relay. You either have to clean them or replace them. I started with a simple cleaning of the contacts but that's a temporary fix once they start to pit. I ended up replacing all of them in my M200's, nine total.

The clear plastic box is the relay. The second photo is one of the replacements I used.

[img]http://s598.photobucket.com/user/JDH_05/media/20150320_160700%20Medium.jpg.html[/img]

[img]http://s598.photobucket.com/user/JDH_05/media/20150320_160700%20Medium.jpg.html[/img]

I have 3x M200 that all experienced the same "dirty" audio, mostly when they were just powered up, but it steadily got worse. I found that C313 was bad on all 3 units. Once replaced, they are back to normal. I suspect this issue may come back in another 6-8 years, but now I know how to fix it. C313 is a 100uf 35v electrolytic capacitor. All 3 measured about 24uf when tested.

That is an excellent post based on real life experience which may be useful to other owners.

I agree with you Xenon. These amps are dirt cheap in the failing or failed condition. There are three of these in the local Pawn shop that play but make noise. They are asking $50.00 each but I know they would take less. I have no idea where they might have originated but fate landed them with a kid trying to power a small PA system in a restaurant/bar.

If we do the math on this one I can probably buy the three units for a C-note and looks like the caps run about 60 cents each for the Nichicon caps.

This could work. Thanks FixedIt

Is there a schematic of this amplifier available? I would be interested in knowing what a complete recap might cost.

Contact Outlaw they may have a schematic and they can tell you what it would cost for them to do the repair. When you factor in the shipping I would look for a good local repair shop and let them do it. If they are just replacing like for like they may not need a schematic.

If all I am doing is recapping a unit I can handle that on my own. I have been building electronics kits since I was a kid. Some of my fondest memories are building Heathkit gear with the old man.