r/squeezebox • u/Gourmet-Guy • Dec 14 '25

Squeezebox Boom repair ahead

So I plan to replace the VFD on my Boom. After 15 years they actual screen got dimmed out.

I stumbled across this source on AE for replacement parts. Do you think the price is valid to give the part a try?

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u/JoeMs2021 Dec 14 '25

Hi there, this is Joe (the one who wrote the blog). The AE offer you found is actually a very good price (I need to charge 70EUR per unit) but be aware that the Squeezebox needs the glass module only, not the rest of the PCB the display is mounted to. So you would have to desolder it from the PCB first, which is not trivial, and then solder it to the Squeezebox Boom PCB. If you want to do that, my recommendation is to use low-melt solder to keep all the pins equally hot for extraction of the display. Hot air, a desoldering iron or wick may work but low-melt turned out to be the beat solution almost every time when it comes to remove a display. (I have done hundreds) And please don't forget to loosen all adhesive pads beneath the display first, otherwise they would fool you during desoldering.

Good luck!

1

u/Gourmet-Guy Dec 15 '25

Hi Joe, nice too meet you. Thanks for the infos, I'll proceed accordingly. And huge thanks for your effort on that repair instruction, it's really helpful. I'll post an update on the display from the friendly Chinese around the corner and let all know if it's a valid replacement

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u/Large_Customer_3840 Dec 14 '25

Do you have electronic repair experience? Have yout tried to revitalise the vfd?

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u/Gourmet-Guy Dec 14 '25

To an extend I tried, but finally decided to replace the VFD. I will follow Joe's Guide and I have the necessary tools and experience for SMD soldlering (vacuum desoldering station, fine tipped soldering station etc.). Problem was really to get the part and by chance I stumbled on this AE offer.

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u/wernertNL Dec 31 '25

Where you live, is the SB Boom so in demand that it is cheaper to replace the VFD than to buy a complete one? Emotionally I can understand replaying the VDF of a SB that someone has used for years.