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I have a hifonics Pluto amp I bought YEARS ago along with a speaker box. It hasn't worked for a long time and I believe it may just need a simple repair. Is there anyone who rebuilds these or are there any rebuild videos, etc? I am not looking for crazy sound, just a bit more ummff if you will. I just dont want to have to rewire a hole new AMP if possible. thanks!
well...might have to get out a soldering iron.If you know the amp is not working and is wired correctly,check for broken solder joints and if none found, someone familiar with fixing electronics will need to check it out.Like other "old skool"US made amps,Hifonics is very good-I have one from about 1990 in one of my cars
Love the old school Jed made in USA HiFonics - some of the cleanest and powerful amps ever made. I'm running Gen X amps in my 2009 G8 GT with a Pluto VIII bridged as a center channel amp (located in the stock amp's location)
If you are unable to fix it yourself, it'll probably cost at least $80 to fix and refresh. Even though these amps are a little under-rated, you're only looking at maybe 35 watts per channel. There are some decent amps making double+ watts pre channel for under $100. Here's a decent one with the inputs all on one side - might be able to get away without having to do a total rewire. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KAC....html?tp=35757
There's a fairly big collector's market out there for these older HiFonics amps - even in non-working condition. If the amp is in good cosmetic shape, you probably could get decent money (half or more of a new one) on eBay from someone that has one in good working condition but beat up (for a guts swap). I have another full set of HiFonics amps for backups in case any of mine go out. I don't intend to repair any if they go out - they are all in like new cosmetic condition and I'll put them up for sale as non-working and start looking for new ones.
Well I cant certainly check solder joints and fix. But If there is something burned out like a resistor I dont have the right tools and lost that knowledge years ago. I do want to see if its repairable. First how do I go about testing just the unit minus the radio? thanks for the feedback so far!
Well I cant certainly check solder joints and fix. But If there is something burned out like a resistor I dont have the right tools and lost that knowledge years ago. I do want to see if its repairable. First how do I go about testing just the unit minus the radio? thanks for the feedback so far!
Connect the unit to a battery/voltage source and get it to power up without any audio input.
Use a voltmeter to test where the speakers would connect. If you read any more than millivolts (like 12 volts), then the output ICs are shorted.
This is assuming that the amp's protection circuit (if it has one) allows it to power up in the first place.
Not sure how much wattage is needed but in case you don’t find a fix, there are plenty of cea compliant amps less than 100 bucks new or used. Also, class d amps are in this price range with plenty of power. Good luck!
edit: sorry this was already said. So just to reiterate, price for power has gotten better since then. Hopefully you have a simple fix.
Not sure how much wattage is needed but in case you don’t find a fix, there are plenty of cea compliant amps less than 100 bucks new or used. Also, class d amps are in this price range with plenty of power. Good luck!
edit: sorry this was already said. So just to reiterate, price for power has gotten better since then. Hopefully you have a simple fix.
Its all good and thanks. Not sure what you mean by cea compliant? As memory serves, the Pluto was best for my speaker box I got from the stereo place in 1990. So I would like to keep the power close to what is was with the Pluto. I need my car bouncing all over the road. haha..Just like the extra ummff one gets when playing some Led Zep, or old Metallica, etc.
Cea rating is an official testing to verify Amp power output as some manufacturers will exaggerate their ratings. It’s not a must but helps when deciding between amps. I know your question was in regards to fixing but in case it has to be repaired there are great options buying newer amps instead.
I love the old school HiFonics stuff!! Unless its actual old school ( like 20 years old) You are way better off getting a new amp. I was like you and using the old stuff. Had a ZEUS in my escalade pushing two 12" new punch woofers. The Cadillac dealer blew my amp and had to replace it. The stereo shop convinced me to use a new Punch Mono block 300 watt amp. When they installed it I was blown away! I am a stereo expert ( I was back in the day) And the power and clarity of the new amp was so much better I was shocked! And I just had my entire system done in my Firebird Head unit, Alpine speakers in stock location and one 10" JL sub in a custom box with a Marine 700 watt amp pushing the woofer. It is by far the best sounding and balanced system I have ever had In a car. And I used to compete in competitions. The new stuff is heads and tails above the old stuff. And the brands that used to be good have gone by the way side.
I love the old school HiFonics stuff!! Unless its actual old school ( like 20 years old) You are way better off getting a new amp. I was like you and using the old stuff. Had a ZEUS in my escalade pushing two 12" new punch woofers. The Cadillac dealer blew my amp and had to replace it. The stereo shop convinced me to use a new Punch Mono block 300 watt amp. When they installed it I was blown away! I am a stereo expert ( I was back in the day) And the power and clarity of the new amp was so much better I was shocked! And I just had my entire system done in my Firebird Head unit, Alpine speakers in stock location and one 10" JL sub in a custom box with a Marine 700 watt amp pushing the woofer. It is by far the best sounding and balanced system I have ever had In a car. And I used to compete in competitions. The new stuff is heads and tails above the old stuff. And the brands that used to be good have gone by the way side.
Assuming your talking about the P300X1 and your Hifonics amp was a Gen X or older, you cut your power to a quarter of what you should have had. If the new amp sounded better (no reason to doubt you), your Zeus was either wired incorrectly or something was wrong with it long before it blew - my guess would be the capacitors going bad over time. However, the new amp does have built-in adjustable crossovers and bass boost controls that the Zues doesn't have and that could have helped out some - just 6dB difference in output should have been noticeable in a non-favorable way.
I dont want something that will launch me out of the car. I was very happy with the sound the Hinfonics gave me. Its mounted in the well in the back and I just want to get it working again. I have 10" speakers in a speaker box I bought along with it and just want to keep it that way in my case. thanks for all the info.
So I pulled my Hifonics, hooked it to the battery and nothing, no power. Needs a rebuild. I sent an email to Zed Audio as suggested here. Steve got back to me about a week ago, they do repair these. So I will be looking to him for getting this working again. Will keep this updated.
I love the old school HiFonics stuff!! Unless its actual old school ( like 20 years old) You are way better off getting a new amp. I was like you and using the old stuff. Had a ZEUS in my escalade pushing two 12" new punch woofers. The Cadillac dealer blew my amp and had to replace it. The stereo shop convinced me to use a new Punch Mono block 300 watt amp. When they installed it I was blown away! I am a stereo expert ( I was back in the day) And the power and clarity of the new amp was so much better I was shocked! And I just had my entire system done in my Firebird Head unit, Alpine speakers in stock location and one 10" JL sub in a custom box with a Marine 700 watt amp pushing the woofer. It is by far the best sounding and balanced system I have ever had In a car. And I used to compete in competitions. The new stuff is heads and tails above the old stuff. And the brands that used to be good have gone by the way side.
This one is form 1989 and I was very happy with the sound it gave. Plus is says, MADE IN AMERICA!
