Biamp TC 60 worth keeping? Keeps blowing fuse.

[Kevin L.]

Hi All,
I have an older Biamp TC 60 stereo amp that I was going to give to my brother who's starting a church plant. I got it out to test it, but when I turn it on, it instantly blows a fuse. I know the line voltage coming in is fine so it must be something internal; the fuse blows after a few seconds with no load on the amp whatsoever (I don't even have speakers or a source plugged in). Anyhow, it obviously sounds like an internal problem that would need a professional to look at it, so I'm trying to decide if I just toss it or if it's worthwhile to keep around and eventually pay someone to service it. Any ideas? I haven't bought used gear in a while, but I'm assuming it may be cheeper to just buy another used amp instead of wasting money to fix this one. If I'm wrong, please let me know!

[Tim Padrick]

Likely cost more to fix it than it's worth (as most techs charge $80/hr). Sell it on eBay "broken, as is" for parts.

[waynehoskins]

My guess is a power supply failure. If you have what it takes to put it on the bench, diagnose and fix it, then it may be worth keeping. Parts cost is likely going to be less than $80, very likely far less. But knowing what parts are at fault and need to be replaced, that's the hard part and what you pay $80/hour or so bench rate for.

However, even if you can fix it, you still end up with an old amp that may have more parts waiting to fail.

My local community theatre has an old Crown D150 that behaves the same way. Sure, I could open it up and fix it for next to nothing, but even then it's not worth it, too old.