Audio Research D400 mk2


Recently when powering up/down one of the 4 big caps under that big board arcs ( light blue)for a few seconds. The amp will power up ok and it stays on and sound great. If I just touch that area I hear a spark. I pull plug to power in/out as the switch seems to make it sound louder. Audio Research does not have caps anymore and say they will need to retrofit and replace that main board to connect to all wires , etc. under it. They say not o use it even though it powers up as normal ( less the spark, arc) for a few seconds or so.

Any thoughts as they say about 2 Grand to replace all for caps and rewire with a different board . Not including shipping.


Where's Leonard  these days as he'd have a FIT.

Thanks George ( It Still sounds Good)



gasjr
Post removed 
Hi,

Were you able to address the problem with your D400?  I'm an owner as well, was curious.

Thanks

Adam
Yes it's ,fixed. I figured out that when connecting the 2 pairs of speaker cables for my bi-wires speakers one hot lead got loose when moving amp around and was shorting out. it's strange as it would power up and spark but play. at times the left channel (which was shorted) would not play. I tightened all up and no sparks and all is good. this is a Hefty amp and still sounds good after 20 years plus!!
Might be time to have those caps replaced before you run into a serious problem.
20 years is were you start to see them fail. I actual believe D400 mk2 was discontinued in 96 that would make your unit at least 24 years old.