Hi,

Sadly, the amplifier in my KEF TDM45B has given up the ghost (rumbling heard from the subwoofer, followed by a crackling sound and the distinct smell of burnt electronics). I suppose I shouldn't be too upset, it is getting on for 10 years old, but I'm not in a position to replace it at the moment, so am considering repairing it, it is (was) an excellent subwoofer, so if it can be fixed, that would be great.

I've contcated KEF, who were able to supply a replacement front grill for the speaker about 18 months ago (the pegs on the old grill got broken when we moved house and the movers didn't give it much respect). Unfortunately they told me the amplifiers are no longer available and didn't offer any other suggestions.

From the markings on the back of the speaker, it would appear that the amplifier is actually a BASH unit, although there is no BASH part number that I can see. Having had a look around, the specifications of the BASH 300S seem to be very similar to those for the KEF, although from what I can see it is a little smaller (11"x7" vs. 13"x7" in the KEF).

Does anybody have any thoughts on whether this unit (or any others you might know of) would be a suitable replacement, whether I'm on the right track or should just forget it and wait until a replacement is practicable?

Thanks,

Paul

Paul, my TDM45B amp also broke and they referred me to an authorized repair center in Manhattan. Total costs app $400. They advised me with this particular sub to not have it on standby, but physically turn it off. Guess it's a known issue.

How much did the new front grill cost you? I'm also missing one of the pegs.

Thanks!

As far as I can tell, there are no authorized repairers locally, so I suspect a repair is out, just because shipping would cost a small fortune. It seems that between repair and shipping costs it would be cheaper to replace the subwoofer.

The BASH 300W amplifier (which, as far as I can tell, is very similar to, if not the same as, the one originally fitted by KEF) sells for <$150 including shipping, so I may end up following that route.

I don't remember the exact price, but the replacement front grill cost round about $70 including shipping.

Paul

As far as I can tell, there are no authorized repairers locally, so I suspect a repair is out, just because shipping would cost a small fortune. It seems that between repair and shipping costs it would be cheaper to replace the subwoofer.

The BASH 300W amplifier (which, as far as I can tell, is very similar to, if not the same as, the one originally fitted by KEF) sells for <$150 including shipping, so I may end up following that route.

I don't remember the exact price, but the replacement front grill cost round about $70 including shipping.

Paul

Paul,

The BASH 300W is a very interesting option. I probably would have considered that myself if I knew it existed. Note that you can consider to take your amplifier out and ship it to a repair center - instead of shipping the complete subwoofer, but it would still probably ring you $300-$400.

Yes, the BASH option seems favourite at the moment, I just wish I could find out for certain whether it really is essentially the same unit that was supplied by KEF.

I hadn't thought about only having to ship the amplifier, although I'd probably prefer to replace it as mine is a 240V 50Hz unit (originally purchased in the UK) so replacing it with a 110V 60Hz unit would simplify my setup a little.

As KEF no longer supply the unit, it would be nice if we could get information from them on the original amp, although that's probably unlikely...