Who has info on R&R caps in ARC D90B amp?


Does anyone have experience to share on replacing the filter caps on an Audio Research D90B?

Those grey caps stacked in the middle, any diy using ARC's "sled" replacement or any others? They are twist locks and looks like a challenge to remove, even using two soldering irons and a helping hand to pull it free.

The amp is running fine now, but discussion suggests the caps are past thier prime and age related failure is emminet.

Your thoughs please.
sneauxman

Showing 4 responses by hifigeek1

I have on many occasions R&R'd those caps. If you are unfamiliar with twist-lock-lytic removal find an ARC repair facility near you to do it for you. You don't want to damage the through hole plating on the mother board. Some of those small traces come off very easily. I only use ARC caps with the adapter. That is a major improvement over the stock twist-locks.
Like I said above I would use the ARC part. I believe that amp also uses a zener diode string as part of a voltage regulator circuit. I would make sure the regulated voltage is correct once the caps have been replaced. If you are unfamiliar with repairing Tube Amps I would seriously recommend having someone do it for you. I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record. Once CB traces have been damaged, especially if the board is through hole plated, it becomes a very difficult task indeed. BTW next time you have to replace an IC, cut the leads of the IC off at the body of the chip and pull the leads out one by one. Makes it a lot easier to remove. Also, if your iron is too hot traces come off easily.
I use a solder sucker. I don't find solder wick all that useful unless I'm repairing a CB trace.
If you are sucking the trace off the board, you are overheating the trace. I just use a standard blue colored solder sucker from OK Industries.