2. amps-preamps
  3. 190634-138624

Amp showing its age?

Before getting into details, just the bottom line: can an SS amp, well into its second decade, begin raising its output impedance and/or dropping its peak current capability? Because mine certainly seemed to be doing one or both, so I have just replaced it, and now the speakers are again obedient.

 

hickamore
jimmyblues1959
129 posts
 

@hickamore. God willing you'll live a lot longer!  😊

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,072 posts
 

Lots of words of wisdom here.

 

Well dine.

bluorion
457 posts
 

I have a Denon PMA-757 integrated amp from 1985 that's still going strong. I had it serviced a few years ago, cleaning, replacing a few bulbs but that's it. Sounds great. It's powering a pair of Canton Karat 200s from 1986. 

pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr
270 posts
 

My guess would be one or all. Power switches build up carbon from arching and become resistive after decades.  Electrolytic power supply capacitors, final stage driver transistors,  new output transistors.

mswale
53 posts
 

Clean it, get the bias adjusted, and measure the power caps. 

My amp is 50 years old, still 100% stock inside. 

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