Need help fixing VIP 2 power amp

[bikerbomber]

Howdy! I have a few Vypyr VIP 2 amps that have smoking coming from them at the same spot. When powered up the speaker just clicks. One will work with the headphones out(w/buzzing) but won’t function if the ribbon isn’t plugged into the power amp. If I can replace the transistor (shown in pictures), could this solve the problem? I have multiple with the same problem spot.

Is there a way to bypass the power amp so I can just use it as a d.i out or headphone amp?
Thanks!!!

Link to the pictures!

[JamesPaul]

Normally I am not a fan of replacing parts, unless troubleshooting determines they are bad.

However as you have multiple VIP 2's with this same smoking transistor, I might try replacing the transistor in one of the VIPs. If it smokes again, there is likely something else causing the transistors to fail. Find out what that is. If the transistor does not smoke, I would probably replace it in the other VIPs.

Occasionally a bad batch of parts will still sneak through vendors' QA. It does not happen often these days. But back in 1983 it did happen to my Special 130. Defective output transistor replaced under warranty, and the tech mentioned that Peavey had received a bad batch of transistors from the vendor.

I do not know how to bypass the power amp so you can just use the headphones, but I would expect it to be possible.

[stratpurist]

There is a schematic available for this amp. My free advice would be to verify the voltages before replacing the power transistor. Also, make sure you clean the heat sink surface and apply new heat sink pasted when you replace the power transistor. Good luck and let us know how it went.

[bikerbomber]

"However as you have multiple VIP 2's with this same smoking transistor, I might try replacing the transistor in one of the VIPs. If it smokes again, there is likely something else causing the transistors to fail. Find out what that is. If the transistor does not smoke, I would probably replace it in the other VIPs."

I will look into this. Thank you so much. I have no idea why I never received any notifications of your replies.