Tantrum 1200.1 throwing a tantrum...

[dako]

Hey guys,

This is my first time stopping in here after searching all over the web for Tantrum info. I haven't checked out the PG site since Rodin took over ownership, but it looks like they still offer flat-rate service. I hope?

Anyhow, I have a Tantrum 1200.1 running two Alpine Type-R subs at 2ohms. The amp has been ROCK SOLID since I bought it from a fellow Sound Domain forum member a couple of years ago, but just in the past few days, it's taken quite a turn.

Driving home the other night, I went over some railroad tracks and...blip, the subs cut right out. Freaking out, I turned off the stereo and waited until the next morning to check everything out. Let me tell you, I checked the head unit ground, the single grounding point for my 1200.1 and 300.2 (all pro Stinger wiring/distro and Stinger grounding terminal, appropriate ANL and inline fuseholders, etc.) and everything looked solid. The 300.2 and 1200.1 share the same power from a Stinger t-block, both running 4 gauge power/ground wiring.

Here's the lowdown: When turning on the head unit, the 300.2 fires up with blue LED coming on, so does the 1200.1, but the only sound coming from that is a noise, which actually varies when the bass boost knob is adjusted or when the subsonic filter button is engaged/disengaged. I've checked it with both the RCAs plugged and unplugged, same with the remote bass boost plugged/unplugged. I checked the subs on the 300.2 by bridging and running in LP mode. They both work and aren't blown.

Here's where I freak out: I run the subs back to the 1200.1 after testing each one on the 300.2, etc., turn the key back to the ACC position, and the noise is still there. Same as before. I tap on the bass boost knob and the subs go from replicating a noisy static sound, to silence. Like I said, the blue LED comes on fine, the fan runs, the amp doesn't overheat, but it appears something is tweaked in the amp itself. Any idea(s) on what might be wrong? Do I have a paperweight on my hands or do you think PG might be able to bring it back to its former glory?

Thanks for any help, and sorry for the lack of brevity here. I've included a youtube link below of the ailing amp in action before it went completely "silent".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3WXB02Mp9M

[Bfowler]

nice vid!

i hope its something as easy as the crossover board...but i fear its the ICE/tripath chip. its the common failure point in the 1200.1's and unfortunately...ICE has discontinued that chip, so a replacement is VERY rare. rumors that a alternative chip are in the future, but right now you are probably best off calling PG and seeing if they can diagnose it as such from the vid, or over the phone

[dako]

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm definitely going to give PG a call tomorrow and see if they can assist in the diagnosis. I'd hate to send it back all for naught, especially in the case of a now non-existent tri-chip. I had no idea that ICE stopped making such a critical part! Man...

I've always been a huge fan of the older PG amps, so if my Tantrum does end up being toast, is there another comparable/better PG amp that could take its place? I'm hoping to stay around the 1000 watt output range and I really loved the efficiency of the t1200.1. It might be nice to even wind up with something that has a 24db crossover point.

Thanks again for the help. I wish I'd found this forum a couple years ago when I bought all my PG gear for my Scion TC setup.

[Bfowler]

the next closest is probably the xenon 1200.1 which does 1200+ @ 4ohms.

its a d-class amp so the efficacy should be very close to the tantrum. its a bit under rated, but not as much as the tantrums which seem to regularly hit over 1400 @ 4ohms.

there are smiler Ice chips available (don't have the part number handy) , but they are to large for the case, so in a super pinch, you could replace it with that new one, and cut the back of the case out to accommodate the larger size...if that's something you want to peruse

[dako]

Just for the hell of it, I called PG today to get an update on this mini-beast, and they've already fixed it and it's currently in the burn in rack. I thought for sure it was toast. I was told the IC driver chip was in fact toasted and that they were able to locate a replacement. Sweet babyjesuscakes. That rocks. I thought for sure this was going to end up being one of those wild goose chases that'd end up costing me more than the worth of the amp. Good way to start the weekend!

[Bfowler]

NICE! great luck

[dako]

I was surprised, especially since my luck is usually more of the, "I though you said you were on protection?!" or "Sorry, we only have that in doo doo brown right now." type.