Sounds like you need to cut your losses and move on.
As was pointed out, selling these amps, knowing what you know, would be hard for most of us to do.
Paying the quoted amount to repair them is only worth it if you LOVED the sound so much and you were convinced nothing else close to the price could fill this niche.
I would have a hard time putting much money into something with a faulty design destined to fail. The only way I would repair them would be on a DIY basis. That would require doing further research to see if there were just a couple of faulty components on the board which could be replaced. Not sure that is possible. Here is what Mr AI had to say:
Yes, it is physically possible to replace a thermistor on the
Bel Canto REF600M
power supply board, but doing so may not resolve the underlying issue. In switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) like those used in the REF600M, a blown thermistor is often a "consequential failure" caused by a more serious short circuit elsewhere in the primary side of the power supply.
Repair Feasibility and Risks
- Component Role: The thermistor (specifically an NTC, or Negative Temperature Coefficient, type) is typically used to limit inrush current during startup. If it has cracked or "gone bang," it usually means it was subjected to massive current beyond its rating.
- Likely Underlying Faults: Expert repair forums suggest that if a thermistor fails, you should first check the bridge rectifier, main reservoir capacitors, and chopper transistors for shorts. Simply replacing the thermistor without fixing these may cause the new part to fail immediately upon power-up.
- Board-Level Replacement: Bel Canto and repair technicians often consider these Class D/SMPS designs "virtually unrepairable" at the component level for most users, typically recommending a complete board or module replacement.
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Reddit +5
Technical Specifications for Replacement
If you choose to proceed with a manual repair, you must match the original specifications exactly:
- NTC Thermistor Type: Common values for similar high-power audio SMPS modules include 15 ohm, 3A (e.g., TDK/EPCOS B57237S0150M0) or similar inrush current limiters.
- Module Identification: The
Bel Canto REF600M
uses a proprietary input circuit alongside a Hypex NCore module (NC500) and a Hypex SMPS. Identifying the specific Hypex SMPS model number (e.g., SMPS1200) will help you find the correct schematic or component values.
- Safety Warning: The
REF600M
contains no user-serviceable parts and opening the chassis voids the warranty. Working on SMPS units is dangerous due to high-voltage capacitors that can hold a lethal charge even when unplugged.
Professional Support
- Official Service: Bel Canto recommends contacting your dealer or the manufacturer directly if the internal fuse has blown or the green power LED does not light.
- Third-Party Options: Specialist audio repair shops familiar with Hypex NCore technology are often better equipped to handle these specific boards than general electronics technicians.
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Hifihuone
These repair guides and product specifications focus on troubleshooting the Bel Canto REF600M’s power supply, particularly concerning thermistor failure and Hypex NCore module integration:
