Velodyne DD15 - worth repairing the plate amp?

The amp in my 2008 Velodyne DD15 is dead as a door nail.

How good is this old marvel compared to today's offerings?

Worth investing another $500 (to have amp repaired, incl roundtrip shipping, tax, etc)? Or just use as passive sub?

How does it compete to modern subs, for example SBS SB-2000 or SB-3000 (both under $1k pre owned)?

kraftwerkturbo09-22-2023 12:55pm

mijostyn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 8,570 posts 09-24-2023 at 07:45pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @kraftwerkturbo , It is not push pull kraft it is push push and totally relevant to this topic if you want the best performance. Take any subwoofer and play a bass heavy number at highish volume. Put your hand on the subwoofers enclosure. You will feel it vibrating, even if it is spiked to the floor. This is distortion. Ideally you should feel nothing. A sub like the Martin Logan will have 90% less vibration = less distortion. If you like distortion go with a single driver design, even s servo driven single driver design is going to have more distortion.
mijostyn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 8,570 posts 09-23-2023 at 12:25pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @kraftwerkturbo , If you are ready to buy a new sub then No, it makes no sense to repair the old one unless you think you can sell it for more than $500. The Velodyn is old Tech as are all the SVS and Rel subs. The very best designs use two drivers at opposite ends of the enclosure running in phase. Both cones move out at same time and in at the same time thus their Newtonian forces cancel helping to control resonance. These subs have much less distortion. This is called Balanced Force Design. KEF, Magico, and Martin Logan make balanced force subs. The best unit to replace your Velodyn is the Martin Logan Balance Force 212.