Theta Chroma 396 w/burnt-out capacitors

Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

This is my first post on AA. Apologies if I'm posting to the wrong sub-forum. After addressing this issue, I am planning on tweaking this unit.
This unit was purchased in June 1996 and continuously used until July 2002 (when it was put in storage). It was taken out of storage and plugged in for the first time (since July 2002) on Oct. 11, 2006.
Upon removing the cover (for the first time ever since purchase), the following damage was noticed:
Capacitors C206 and C222 are burned out.
Heat/carbon-residue-related damage may be noted on the inside of the top cover, in areas above the capictors noted above.
I cleaned the areas around the capacitors with 99% alcohol for a better look at the PCB near the damaged area: C22 (cleaned up) and C206 (cleaned up). These two caps have totally burned/crumbled away; the circuit there is, hence, "open". What is worrisome is that C21, visible next to C22, also is partially burnt away.
The damage does not seem to noticeably affect operation or playback. I don't know when this damage occurred and/or for how long it has been incurring/"accumulating".
(The issue is also described here:
http://www.gammaelectronics.com/DAC/theta_chroma_396_damage.html
The page above was created because Theta asked me to photograph and describe the problem in detail. They promised a schematic and prompt reply -- since this may be a safety issue -- but I have not heard from them since my orig. query over a month ago).
Any help on this issue is appreciated. Also, any quick tweaks I can perform on the Chroma while addressing the repair issue?
Thx,
-KH

Theta Chroma 396 Damage (Open in New Window)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion

Topic - Theta Chroma 396 w/burnt-out capacitors - KHashmi316 09:38:48 10/16/06 (6)

Theta Chroma: worth tweaking/upgrading - KHashmi316 23:46:54 10/16/06 (1)

Re: SD-3990: tweaking/upgrading - PeAK 16:25:07 12/09/06 (0)

They look like small tantalum bead caps. - clifff 12:25:03 10/16/06 (3)

Re: They look like small tantalum bead caps. - Tube_Dude 13:30:52 10/16/06 (1)

No, they are ceramics - nightdoggy 01:42:27 10/17/06 (0)

Re: They look like small tantalum bead caps. - KHashmi316 13:19:17 10/16/06 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.