Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 AMPLIFIER / Ultra 5.1 Noctua Cooling Core refund SurgeX

Description

This listing allows a buyer to select a cooled Klipsch ProMedia 5.1
amplifier
that matches an owner's original version: either the version made 2001-2003, which came with a round port in the front of the subwoofer and a black volume control pod, or its successor--the Ultra 5.1, recognizable by its subwoofer's horizontal port in the rear and a silver control box.
Power Filter Option:
With internal weaknesses addressed through the amplifier component and cooling upgrades noted below, an owner can also address a common external threat to audio equipment by adding a high quality series mode power filter.  The SurgeX SA-82 is a used, excellent working condition 8 amp / 960 watt-rated filter. It protects sensitive audio equipment far better and more durably than surge strips and computer UPSs, which rely on consumable parallel-mode protection (metal oxide varistors or MOVs).  With purchase of a SA-82 filter's additional protection, the 6 month warranty is doubled to
1 year
.  I also have new SA-82 filters (they sell for over 0 on Amazon) for $
60
more than the cost of the used filters, if a buyer prefers a new SA-82 filter. Check with me for a custom listing or revised total.
The amplifier (both versions) has many upgrades for longer life.
.
It is in excellent working condition. Since 2005 my goal has been to make the ProMedia systems the most durable possible.  2020 has brought three significant improvements: A) both ceramic BASH boards have been replaced with new, non-brittle boards; B) as of August: the best fan for silence and durability is used--Noctua's premium 150,000 hour NF-A9x14, and C) for September: a new daughter board.
Photos show how the panel can be removed and disconnected from the sub enclosure for replacement.
Klipsch's ProMedia 5.1 Ultra and THX computer speaker systems remain among the
best computer speakers for power and clarity (not class D), but owners run into problems with amplifier failure.
I replace and upgrade components based on what I've seen on hundreds of previous panels since 2005 (e.g., hum, hiss, intermittent sound).
2020 brings the most important improvement since adding cooling in 2005: replacing the ceramic BASH boards. About 1/3 of 5.1 repairs require replacing one or both ceramic BASH HC1011 boards. One board regulates power to the satellites; the other regulates power to the subwoofer channel. I now have new replacements that avoid the troublesome, brittle connections with the ceramic substrate and its intermittent issues after thousands of heat cycles. Each new, small board has over 40 new components.  (See sixth photo for a close up).
If you prefer to have your own panel repaired and upgraded, contact me for that option.
Includes
:
Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 amplifier with installed internal upgrades, my "Tip Sheet" with simple ways to prolong your Promedia's life, and
six-month parts and labor warranty
.
A core refund is available for returning an old ProMedia 5.1 amplifier.
You may reuse my boxes and packaging.  A Fed Ex Ground label is provided for convenience as an option. If my label is used, the core return refund will be $
27
. If the buyer pays the shipping, the refund will be $
44.
(Cost of shipping, such as by USPS, varies greatly by distance from Minnesota).
Differences between THX and Ultra panels:
The Ultra and THX panels are interchangeable: same size opening, identical input jacks, satellite speaker terminals, fuse, and power cable.  The controls can be used interchangeably, too.
The THX or Ultra panel will work in either subwoofer enclosure.
Most, but not all Ultra panels have one wide (3/16") and one narrow (1/8") push-on post for the two internal subwoofer speaker wires to connect to, while the THX (and a few early editions of the Ultra) panel has two, identical wide posts to match the two wide terminals on the black and red speaker wires inside the THX's sub.
I can provide an adapter for connecting an Ultra panel to the wider sub driver connector in a THX enclosure and vice versa, if needed.
The Ultra panels operate a bit warmer than the earlier THX version: the Ultras draw about 28 watts when turned on, while the non-Ultras draw about 22 watts at low volume. The Ultra is biased to produce louder bass at the same volume settings.
Need a sub enclosure to create a 5.1 system?
A subwoofer enclosure with sub speakers to match the amplifier panel would add plus shipping (send me your zip code for an exact shipping price quotation).  I have a control box, if needed.
Why do Klipsch's ProMedia 5.1s spark such strong emotions?  Why are these rare?
Professional musicians and serious gamers have sought these out, and buyers have gone to considerable lengths to get these cooling-upgraded Klipsch 5.1 systems to Asia and Australia (overseas shipping cost, plus expensive transformers for US voltage). Why, then, are these no longer in stores, hard to find, and why are so many sold "as-is" or with no warranty?  Two problems are A) the computer sound market became focused on low price and lower quality, and
B) many Klipsch ProMedia 5.1s cook some components, and their components degrade over time.  The ProMedia's exceptional sound quality along with a high failure rate produce strong emotions
.
My goal is for people to enjoy the finest computer movie, music and game sound experience for the longest time.
Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 THX and Ultra vs. other speakers:
The Klipsch 5.1 THX (front sub port) and Ultra (wider sub, rear port) feature a high-powered, highly efficient 470 watt power supply and matching amplifiers to immerse you into your games, movies and music.  Klipsch built its name in speaker design, specifically sound
quality
and
efficiency
:
the satellites' tweeter, woofer and crossover reproduce music with crisp detail. Other computer speaker makers cut corners by stretching a single driver to reproduce music and voice information from 120 or 200 Hz up to 20,000 Hz. Klipsch uses a more expensive tweeter and woofer design. Their tweeters use an efficient horn design, getting more sound per watt from amplifier power.  (See speaker shopping comparison tips below)  I've come across only one customer who had some expensive Creative speakers (discontinued) that he thought at least matched these Klipsch speakers, but those were even harder to find, and when those systems died, repair support was unobtainable.
System Requirements
:
An upgraded sound card is not essential, but is
recommended for clarity. Good speakers will expose the weaknesses of your sound card that you might not have noticed before.
The cooling
(begun in 2005):
This amplifier has a silent, internal Austrian-designed Noctua fan, which turns on automatically with the ProMedia. The fan has its own reliable power supply to provide the fan its modest
2 watts. The fan automatically switches on with the system.  The fan moves enough air, yet is almost totally silent.  It's hydro-dynamic bearings are rated for over 150,000 hours MTBF (mean time between failure).
This fan can be unplugged and swapped, if needed in the future, but 150,000 hours is over 17 years of 24/7 use. It's mounting adhesive can be easily cut and replaced.
This system will plug in and function just like any other, only cooler inside.
Using an infrared thermometer, I've measured temperatures before
any fans are installed while playing only 2 speakers and the sub at moderate volume.  The panel was sitting outside its enclosure, in open air. Similar improvements were measured for an Ultra sub as for the THX. The table below shows how fan airflow kept temperatures far cooler, around 65 and 85 degrees, respectively:
Power Supply Component Temperature Comparison for Klipsch Ultra 5.1
Degrees Fahrenheit           BEFORE COOLING                                               AFTER COOLING
After 10 Minutes
After 20 minutes
After 10 Minutes
After 20 Minutes
R7
150 degrees
176
115
115
R527
160
197
115
115
I am confident this system will work great for you for a long time. Klipsch's powerful Promedia would be more reliable if the engineers had properly calculated how much less airflow & cooling the power supply heatsinks get inside a closed sub box. The addition of a fan makes a great difference. Just be sure to use a surge protector -- it's inexpensive protection for quality electronics.
If you check feedback left for me by previous buyers, you can click on the auction numbers to see the Klipsch ProMeda upgraded systems they purchased and their comments.
Thanks for looking.
I'd like to help you stop thermal stress from silencing your system.