distr0

Looking for a Bose amp for a series 2 RX-8, part number F190 66 920

Neo

unless you find a wrecked series 2 in the junk yard, it’s going to be next to impossible to find one. You’re better off to send it out to get it repaired.
I’ve recently had to do the same. Damn amp gave up. Sent it out to Paulison in Jersey to get them to repair it. Took about a week turn around. Works like a charm again.
I spent the better part of 2-3 months attempting to find this replacement and it never happened. Bit the bullet and sent it out. Best thing you can do. 👍🏻

distr0

Yep, thought I'd give it a shot here but it looks like that's the best option. Did you recently send it there? Can you tell me approx. total cost? I'm weighing my options of fixing the bose system vs just going aftermarket. I'd really like to hear the stock system at least for comparison first (bought the car with the amp blown).

Neo

Thats the thing with our systems. It’s so tightly integrated with the car, to go fully aftermarket with a decent head unit and some speakers (not even going with amps or subwoofers) you’re looking into $1200-1300cdn (parts and labour). It only goes up from there if you plan to add separate amps and a sub.
I don’t want to be spending that much on just audio. Which is why there’s so many of these shops that offer repair for these units. They’re a very common fail point for a variety of models from all sorts of car manufacturers.

I literally got mine done as of 3 weeks ago. With shipping included both ways ($165US for the repair, it was $27cdn to ship it there and $35cdn to ship it back). Total cost to my door was about $315cdn. Compared to ripping the system out completely and going aftermarket, it was a no brainer.

if you’re an audiophile, and you’re willing to throw money at audio, then yeah, go aftermarket. The OEM system won’t satisfy you. But if you’re just someone who wants the stock system to work well with no more hiccups in the foreseeable future, getting the amp repaired is the best option.

system sounds decent enough. Dare I say a bit better than it originally did since my amp was on its way out as of last winter. If finally gave up the ghost when temperatures started to go higher than 12c. Lol

distr0

Awesome, thank for all the info. I've built some BIG systems in the past and spent that $1200-1300 many times over lol. Plus i've got some leftover stuff so I wouldn't be buying much new other than a head unit and dash panel, and the electrical adapter kit. On the other hand, I just want to experience this car OEM, at least for a bit.

Curious - how did yours fail? With mine, if I plug in the amp, as soon as I key On, I get horrible loud deafening screeching and pops from all speakers. Other failures I've found on the net seem different from that. Do you think it could be anything else besides the amp?

Neo

All roads lead to the amp failing. It does a variety of failures depending on the model and trim of your vehicle. As you've noticed, the series 2 bose amps are different from the series 1. Its insane how Bose was able to do this... alas...

Mine started shortly before winter of last year. It would crackle a little when I hook up my phone to it via the aux jack. Then it would sound as if the decoding had an issue because it would start to studder. It' would clear its throat soon and start to operate normally. If however you went somewhere, parked the car and then returned shortly after, the system would send a harsh bass note across all the speakers. Then it would lose a bit of its bass range due to that pop. Everything would still kinda work since the temps were below 12C. So I searched throughout the winter and spring for possible solutions. Came close to buying a wrecked R3's amp but someone beat me to it.
As soon as spring arrived though and the temps started getting warmer, I wouldn't get anything. No sound at all.

As you may or may not know, the amp is always "on". It never fully goes to sleep. As soon as you unlock the doors, the amp is operating. It provides all the chimes and audio beeps for the dash, radio, and HVAC inputs. It was kinda funny when I removed the amp to get it sent out, the car was silent. All the buttons I pushed never made a sound. The thing is really integrated.. lol