Aftermarket amp problem?

[Shane]

I have an older Alpine (MRVF350) 2/3/4 channel amp driving my door components (Pioneer).
One side of the amp output acts like it isn't getting a good connection. It isn't specific to the speaker wiring after the amp, nor the RCA input before the amp: it seems to be specific to the channel 1 output from the amp.
Symptoms: speaker connected to channel 1 is much quieter than channel 2, and has some static added. If the volume is *cranked*, the sides seem to equalize and work fine...until volume is reduced to more sane levels again.

Could this be a symptom of a bad power ground? Or is the amp dying? Or something else?

Thanks,
Shane

[BigKID]

If you have switched the input/output connections and the problem didnt follow the switch, I would say it is the amp. Sounds like either an input or output stage of the weak channel is going out. You could try running the amp in mono mode on those channels and see if the problem follows.

edit: just reread you symptoms and it sounds more like a bad solder joint. This is a common problem for older amps that have had a lot of use or get fairly hot for extended periods of time. If you feel comfortable with taking you amp apart, it will be farily easy to spot and repair. It is more than likely going to be on you output stage, most promantly the speaker termimal connector. Wiggle the connector and see if the connection point on the circuit board moves. When you find it, take a soldering iron and hold it to the connector where it protrudes thru the board for a few seconds till you see the existing solder fill in the crack.

[zone]

i agree, if you switched the rca's and the speaker out puts and the problem is still on the same side of the amp it is the amp and is probably a bad solder joint

[Shane]

Awesome - thanks guys. I have switched speaker outputs & RCAs. I will see about opening up the amp... :)
thanks again,
Shane