550 Radio/Amplifier

[550M]

Well, the old girl turned 20 last month, and has decided to turn the radio down! I have sound coming out of the back of the head unit, but not reaching the speakers. I assume therefore that the Amplifier is on the blink. Anyone know where it is? Google has drawn a blank, and the workshop manuals do not refer to one. Any help or pointers on where it is located would be most welcome. It doesn't appear to be in the dash area.

As an aside, I thought I'd run it around Silverstone Circuit at the upcoming Sunday Service track day. Novice session. Wish me luck...

[AndyTR]

As far as I can see there is no amp in the 550. I had a quick look at the wiring diagram and amp is listed as N/A. Not sure what the issue could be but if your getting a current from the unit then likely to be the connectors that could just need cleaning up or you've been overdoing it with the drum and bass and blown the speakers

[cgt2]

No amp in a 550. The original head unit was a truly cap Pioneer (badged Ferrari) paired with thin paper cone speakers. Invest in a better head unit - a Ferrari badged Becker will look and perform much better with some Focal speakers and you will see a night and day improvement for very small outlay.

[W111AAM]

I don't know where you are based but speak with Ultimate Audio in Bromsgrove. On my 355, they fitted new speakers, an amp behind the passenger seat and installed a Becker Ferrari CD head unit. They also put sound insulation behind the door cards and the difference is night and day. And looking at it, other that a different head unit, there is no way of telling the difference. Brilliant job.

[mon the fish]

I really need to get mine looked at, the sound quality is pish.

Am I right in thinking there aren't any speakers in the back? Mine is an early 1997 build

[550M]

No amp? Bugger. That'll be why I can't find one then.

I replaced the old unit to bring it up to Bluetooth and standard a good few years ago. And i'd already tried two new head units, assuming the new one had had it, before trying the outputs. Hmm....

For the extperts, I've got an Alpine unit fitted, and it's coming up with DC Error? Any thoughts?

Thanks for the advice.

[roygarth]

550M said:

No amp? Bugger. That'll be why I can't find one then.

I replaced the old unit to bring it up to Bluetooth and standard a good few years ago. And i'd already tried two new head units, assuming the new one had had it, before trying the outputs. Hmm....

For the extperts, I've got an Alpine unit fitted, and it's coming up with DC Error? Any thoughts?

Thanks for the advice.

I had this problem and it was a simple cheap fix. So don't assume it mean unit is dead. Take it to an expert.

Keep the original Ferrari badged head unit. They cost a fortune (if you can find one) and you'll need it if/when you come to sell the car.

[Bluebottle911]

Don't bother with a stereo - listen to the music of the engine!