JL Audio 500/5 Effed up!!

[Bigpete123 1]

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted here in a while, but I've been keeping myself current on the threads in the build logs section for sure.

Some of you might remember my build log, and might also remember that once I got to the point where I could finally fire the thing up, I was having lots of trouble with noise. I tested and tested, and it turns out that it is my JL Audio 500/5 that's to blame (I installed another amp in its place and the problem was totally fixed). It's a high pitched beeping sound that changes evenly in frequency (up and down). Sometimes it actually sounds like a pack of dolphins from the nature shows... very bizarre. It makes this noise in all channels, and does it regardless of whether or not the car is running (which I assume rules out alternator interference). I plugged my ipod into the inputs of one of the channels to see if it could be the HU... noise is still there. Even when I turn the HU off, the noise is there... when I disconnect the RCA leads from the amp... you guessed it... noise is still there.

I sent the 500/5 into JL Audio probably about a year ago for the same problems. That's what encouraged me to tear my car apart and redo my installation. My new install took almost a full year... I only had limited time to work on it... Needless to say, it sucked the life out of me. So I never tested the amp until somewhat recently. This is the same exact problem.

The previous repair was under warranty. My warranty is now long expired.

So finally, to my question: Would you guys ever take your gear to an independent shop for repair? Check this one out in my area, for example:

http://precision-audio-video.com/?gclid=CN...CFSEfYQodilG-Hg

They have a ginormous list of brands they repair, and my concern is that they might be too "jack of all trades". I'm not electrical engineer, but the 500/5 has some pretty complex circuitry in it (I can only assume due to its high level of adjustability), much of which I assume is proprietary... But I don't want to wait 2-3 months for JL audio to "fix it", only to have them screw me again...

Thanks!

Peter

Edited July 25, 2007 by Bigpete123

[audio-neon 34]

I would almost ask if its not worth it to just invest in another amp at this point.

[Tirefryr 1,742]

Noisy power supply huh? Well, JL makes great gear, but it comes to a point when you just can't win. I'd say try to get them to honor the repair. They may just take care of you. If not, time for another amp.

[///M5 2,833]

I agree with Ryan. If they won't own up, eff 'em and buy something else.

[Bigpete123 1]

I guess I didn't really think about that option... I assumed that it would be cheaper to just get the thing repaired... If I buy it online from an unauthorized dealer, we're talking about $600... Quite a bit more from an authorized source...

JL Audio only charges a $160 (I think) flat rate for their repairs... Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and send it in, and see if I can get them to do it for free... Maybe first I should take it to that shop and see if they can hook it up just for testing to make sure that I'm not crazy.