Velodyne DD15 - worth repairing the plate amp?


The amp in my 2008 Velodyne DD15 is dead as a door nail. 

How good is this old marvel compared to today's offerings?

Worth investing another $500 (to have amp repaired, incl roundtrip shipping, tax, etc)? Or just use as passive sub?

How does it compete to modern subs, for example SBS SB-2000 or SB-3000 (both under $1k pre owned)?

kraftwerkturbo

I forgot to point out that Origin Acoustics is the US distributor of Velodyne. They do have parts but it was more expensive for them. Although they would be better if you needed to send the plate amp to them for repair in the US.The caps were bad in mine as well as the SMDs on the board. I don't think you will have good luck using an outboard amp because of the EQ and power that is involved with the DD series. But you may if you used something like mini DSP with a powerful amp.https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd

RILEY PELLEGRINO | Velodyne Service Specialist

 844.674.4461  9512592537

 Riley@originacoustics.com

 originacoustics.com

 

The DD series does have a video output which is very helpful. The DD Plus is the newer model. It also has computer connections. The DD Plus series uses the same amps as the DD models. That's one reason the amps are still available.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Robert

Another option is to use a Velodyne SMS-1 with a power amp to replace the subwoofer plate amp.

Since my two DD-12 Plus are working fine I haven't visited Velodyne Acoustics GmbH in a while.

Early on they had links to internationally located service providers who seemed to have changed over time. It appears they're now using the RMA form method to begin service concerns.

 

@rwwear  You have to make sure the amp is for your model because they have to be programmed for different DD subs. The DD-15 and DD-18 use the same amp but different programming. And they all look alike. 

The fellow who helped me during my visit to Morgan Hill mentioned something about different model programing within the same series. 

To my knowledge DD Plus is the only processing were its Sweep Tones are played through both the main speakers and the sub/s as Auto EQ develops the subwoofers digital parameters to support the main speakers analog timbre and low frequency output all within the room. Afterwords the user can make further presets adjustments to taste.  

  

No the DD series has automatic room and main speaker EQ if you run the output into your preamp. But I never use the electronic xover in the sub for the main speakers. I want my mains to run full range without any other electronics to distort the signal.