Performance loss in used amplifiers?

If it has any electrolytic capacitors and the unit is ten years or older it would be useful to have a tech check it out as this is a very expensive piece to service if it breaks. Same thing for tube preamps/amps, too.

The switches may get dirty over the years with many units; don't know if this will happen to Levinson.

What an excellent question! I echo the first response on the elctrolytic caps......and I can tell you that transistor amplifiers are FULL of them! The lifecycle of electrolytic caps and carbon resistors (not in your unit) are just a fact of life.

If you are a solid state fan - be prepared for this. Also, realize that with great sounding audio the parts are recipe - meaning that you would be challenged to find that brand, voltage rating, and microfarad rating or suffer a change in sonics with a different brand if you were to change them. It's like a recipe - use the same ingredients or you won't have the same taste. That has been my experience in tweaks over the years.

Studio1

C123 is right on - after ten years start thinking it over. With quality gear like your Levinson I wouldn't get paranoid about the large can caps until about the 15 year mark. My ex runs a unserviced, 21 year old Hafler DH200 that's still cranking as new into large Advents. A few years back I replaced the 12 year old large can caps in a Threshold S300 and noticed no real performance change. However it felt good to know they were done. Some cats hype boosting the total capacitance and modding to a faster rectifier bridge. But being a keep-it-stock kinda guy, when the next time comes I'll do what I did before: source the closest OEM equivalents, unscrew the old ones and slip in the new. For now if your amp is working right it sounds like you'll be OK for a while yet.

at least you don't need to worry about breaking in a new amplifier. i also buy used amplifiers and so far had no problems.

it just purchased a cherry p300 accuphase(35 years old)and it performs to spec. the levinson should be fine.

Great insight. Thanks everyone. Ted

I own the 'boat-anchor' called White Audio Labs A100. I don't know how old it is but it has a blown transformer for 1 ch. The place that diagnosed the prob.says both trannies should be replaced. Where does one get these? and, how much for the parts and r&r labor?? Transformers R-us?? duh?

Avguygeorge,
Try to visit Mercury Magnetics that manufacture transformers for any application and any gear.
It's only enough to say to them model # and they will manufacture to you exact copy with matched color code of the wires.
If you're OK with soldering iron it's just a matter of carefull resoldering wires by the color code and mounting these trannies.

One more thing to look for: get a closeup picture of the PCB. Look closely for any sign that the unit has been modified (tampered with, upgraded). You can usually see crummy soldering; if you can't at least the job was done neatly. Always ask the owner if the unit has been serviced by anybody other than an authorized service tech.

And...when buying a used preamplifier be very specific when asking if it works correctly. For example, if it has a phono section and a headphone amplifier have the seller explicitily advise you that both features work correctly. I have had sellers tell me "oh, I did not have a turntable so I could not check the phono". This was after telling me it was mint and all was well; not. I have a dispute going at the moment on such an issue.

Hey;--Thanks for the help, Marakanetz---I will see what they can do for me. Looking for Randy White seems a lost cause. My experience has led me to stay away from older SS amps.