2. amps-preamps
  3. 191209-179778

Power amplifier longevity… thoughts?

Since I’ve bought a pair of Magnepan LRS+ speakers, I am searching for a used power amp with enough power and current to drive them as they deserve.

Some candidates come to mind and searching the used market (Hifi Shark) some are available for sale, for example:

- Classé CA-201

- Rotel RHB-10

- Acurus A200

- Muse 160

- Parasound HCA-1200 MkII

- Ayre V-1X
 

The possibility of buying a top quality amp at a friendly price is very appealing, especially comparing with todays new gear prices.

But the majority have way more the 20 years and one never knows the amp history, so there always the probability of a costly repair, and even the impossibility of restoration to the original specs when no parts or the service manual are available.

I wonder, in a general way, if an quality amp (and all parts) maintain the sound quality after all those years, needed only a check and bias adjustment.

Of course, in most hi-fi gear the capacitors and resistors are usually the first to need attention (change) but can those large caps (the size of a can of beer) last longer?

 

audiofilo123
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,116 posts
 

@audiofilo123 As a general rule of thumb, the cooler the amp runs the longer it will last. Electrolytic capacitors, which are used in the power supplies of most electronics, don't like heat and so last longer in a cooler environment.

To give you an idea of this, in tube equipment the filter capacitors might go about 20-25 years; in a solid state amp they might go 30-35 years.

Since class D runs the coolest of any amplifiers, it follows that they will also last the longest. Some class D amps easily rival the best of class A amps (whether tube or solid state) as well.

audiofilo123 OP
89 posts
 

@atmasphere that makes sense, Class A amps probably will require maintenance before  other types. That said, my interest lays on 5 to 15 year old amps, after that I consider them to risky.

What are the Class D you have as a reference?

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,116 posts
 

@audiofilo123 I'm using my own (Atma-Sphere). There are others that are getting similar comments, such as the AGD Audion.

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,490 posts
 

@audiofilo123 ,

Obviously Atmasphere has his own Class D amps as his reference. They are very favorable reviewed. Unfortunately they are a bit bit more costly than your stated budget.

If you are looking for older amplifiers then the Parasound Halo A21 might be a good idea. There is a Parasound forum - look it up. You should see a lot of discussions about people using the Halo amps with Maggies (as they call them).

audiofilo123 OP
89 posts
 

@atmasphere thanks, unfortunately they are out of my budget, but must sound great.

 

@milpai yes, the A21 is a beast and I love Parasound gear. I will try to find one used. I believe that they not so common here in Europe.

More to discover