I think my stereo is dead... 2nd opinion please.

[Zimma]

G'day all,

On my way to work this morning when the sound coming through the speakers dropped out a couple of times. Only for a second. This continued and the amount of time it dropped out lenghtened until finally there was no sound. When i turn the stereo right up I can hear a ssshhhhh sound and the music can really faintly be heard... this is when it is turned up max. There is also a faint high pitched sqeak. I'm thinking maybe the amplifier that is built into the head unit is gone but not really sure.

I'm running just a standard NA head unit with the stock front speakers and 6 inch speakers in the parcel shelf.

Anyone got any ideas if the head unit is gone... just wanna be sure before I go get a new unit.
Cheers.

[Benny]

Generally, when electronic devices start a faint, high pitched squeeling noise, it means the power supply is about to blow.
The power supply in a radio is the part of the circuit where the 12V comes in and is converted to the voltage required by the radio, or there are often seperate power supply circuits to the amplifier.
One is about, or already has, blown, so the unit will need to be pulled apart, and hopefully, it can be fixed - but more than likely, it isn't worth the expense and should be junked.

[Zimma]

Cheers Benny, Thanks for the info... well I guess I'm off stereo shopping. I've been waiting for this day!

[Old EmmGee]

Nope can't hear it from here. Yup, I reckon it's dead.

If you need a third opinion I can ask 'er indoors, if you like

[SuperMazdaKart]

good chance to upgrade, to maybe video screen headunit?

cause video killed the radio star