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Levinson 20.5 monos - Time for a Refurb?

I bought my Mark Levinson 20.5 pure class A mono blocks new in 1990. I loved them for their sound and still do. They have been 100% reliable and I have never had them back to the Levinson or my dealer for anything.

However, they are 16 years old now and except for my Magnum Dynalab tuner, they are the only thing I have not replaced in my system.

Being pure class A amps they run pretty hot.

Question is, is it time I should consider having them checked out, refurbished, capacitors and the like replaced, etc?

If so, who should I consider for this work? Levinson? They are not what they used to be when they designed and made these amps, and I'm not sure they are up to the same quality work they did back then or whether I should trust that their parts will be as good as the original. Someone else? But who?

Has anyone been through this or does anyone have any thoughts about this they can share with me?
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beemer
444 posts
 
I have a Levinson ML-3.....even older than your 20.5's.
Same situation, it has never been in need of service, these days, it's a backup amp that I light up and run once a month to keep the caps exercised.

Me, I'm gonna leave it alone. There's an old saying: "If it works, don't fix it".

Best,

Paul :-)
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
I agree with Beemer. Unless it can be improved with some updating, it should be fine.
msunco19
14 posts
 
Hey I talked to that guy, and what a turn off! I own Audio Research classic 120's, and by the time our conversation ended He made me feel like my amps were a total joke and were nothing more than than 150 lbs of garbage!!!!! not to mention the fact he wanted to make a good weeks pay on the parts he was talking about replacing. Levinson is top shelf stuff too. My recomendation would be contact ML directly!!! Like most great manufactures, they will advise and handle your great amps better than anyone else. Good Luck
phd
1,316 posts
 
I too agree with Beemer, if it works don't fix it! I know alot of folks would say after ten years its time to replace them caps, especially on pure class A amps. But I would guess that it would depend on how often in them ten years they are on/played.
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cipherjuris OP
145 posts
 
Thanks, guys.

I think I will talk to Levinson.

Well, Phd, they have been played at least 2 to 5 hours a day almost every day for the last 16 years.
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