Velodyne DD15 - worth repairing the plate amp?

I have owned Velodyne HGS as well as the DD series. I also currently own SVS (1x SB 2000 Pro - 1x SB4000 - 2x SB 16 Ultras).

I run a 2 channel system now. The Velodyne is a much better sub than the 2000 - no question. Is it ‘Better’ than the SB16 Ultras? Sort of, and sort of not. They are a bit different.

That said, if you are using the DSP on the Velo, you should stop. I could only get that sub to sound right the old fashioned manual way.

Most others are correct. The plate amps on every single Velo I have had fried. Cost me $208 back then to repair from Velodyne. No clue what they charge now.

BTW - SB16’s are a lot more spendy then amp fix. They are very close in terms of SQ. Output though, the SB16’s kill it. They go about their business very different.

SQ on the DD series is excellent and integrate very well with higher end speakers.

IMO the only thing new that compares to the Velodyne’s would be Rythmik. They are also Servo Subs and have to be set up manually without DSP. Although I did eventually go with the SB 16’s for ease of use and there was only about a 1-2% difference in SQ - to my ears.

I vote repair as the DD is still a very, very good sub. They are also making subs again. May want to give them a ring. 

Lot's of talk on this!  IMO the Velo DD series is hard to beat without spending thousands, so I say fix the amp.  EBC Electronics in NJ does a fine job on them for a fair flat rate.  Since this is a servo controlled design, no off-the-shelf plate amp will do...all advice to go that route should be disregarded.  Turnaround time is the only drawback.

https://www.ebcelectronics.com/velodyne-dds-subwoofer-Repair-Service.html

Buy a new servo controlled Rythmik subwoofer.  I have owned Velodynes in the past. 

@oddiofyl   Every Velodyne sub of that Era will fail.   I sent my Dad's plate Amp on his HGS 10 to EBC in NJ about 5 years ago and it's been great since.   

If this were the case I would expect far more original owner failure conformation. I replaced an M&K Volkswoofer with a Velodyne ULD-18 in 1983 followed by their F-1800 in 1995, HGS in 1998, DD in 2003 and two DD-12 Plus in 2011 still in service. My only service issue, Velodyne replaced $32 infrared receiver in my second owner out of warrantee Plus, minus the labor and threw in a new remote control for free.

@gotolondon2 ...if you are using the DSP on the Velo, you should stop. I could only get that sub to sound right the old fashioned manual way.

What did your dealer say about remedying this issue?

@kraftwerkturbo  FYI, REL are -6dB Sub-Bass Systems. They're extra low frequency output is rolled off to a point so as not to excite a rooms standing wave bass modes. 

DSP implementation varies greatly. 

I didn’t do anything other than set it up manually.

Also, just because you had no issues with the plate amps in the Velodyne’s doesn’t mean that isn’t a very common issue. That is the same reason I will not give money to JL Audio. Too many plate amp issues. I realize not everyone has an issue, but if you use these a lot, as I do, they will heat up and fry.

Just ‘Google’ it.