2. vintage
  3. 157802-85226

Refurb GAS Grandson amp or put money towards another amp?

I’ve got a vintage GAS Grandson amp that I use in my Zone 2 system to drive a pair of Snell QBx monitors. The Grandson was a garage sale find about 30 years ago. I had some work done at the time before I put it in operation, but it was so long ago, I can’t remember what was done.

The Grandson is now having some issues. Significant distortion in the left channel and the left channel cuts out completely at times. My question now is it worth it to get the amp refurbished? Or am I better off spending the money on another used amp? If so, what would you recommend? How much would be a reasonable amount to invest refurbing the Grandson?

I’m one of many who have champagne tastes, but a beer budget, at best. I’m not looking for audio nirvana (given my finances), but want to get the best bang for the few bucks I do have to spend. I’m ballparking around $200, as I think I can find a Rotel amp or receiver for around that much. But would a Rotel be a step down as compared to a well-functioning Grandson?

Anyone familiar with the Grandson? From what I understand the Ampzilla was highly regarded in its day, and the Son of Ampzilla and the Grandson amps were well regarded, too, just not as high end.
Btw, my Grandson is the model with meters, though the lamps have been burned out for many years.
johnnyotto
jenney
21 posts
 
Hello johnnyotto
I also have a GAS Grandson with meters mint condition and original box.

I plan on restoration at GAS Audio Restorations which was founded by Mike Bettinger in Carson City NV   

Price?  $600.00   The restoration cost will make the Grandson better than any amp out there unless you pay $3K  Forget Rotel lots of reliability issues

Good Luck  
normansizemore
601 posts
 
Grandson is an amazing amplifier, one of the finest sounding amps I’ve ever heard.  I would repair it.  Any quality hifi repair shop can do the job.  It most likely needs a recap.  Keep it, it’s hard to do better for what a repair will cost.
N 
johnnyotto OP
22 posts
 
@normansizemore Thanks for the response.  Yes, I do plan to keep it.  I don't know when I'll look into getting it repaired (budget & time), but I'll hang onto to it in the meantime.  Until then, I picked up a used Hafler SE120 amp in excellent condition to fill the void.  Actually, I picked up two of them, but only using one at this time.  I found them on Craigslist for a good price, $75 each, so I bought both.
timlub
2,039 posts
 
@johnnyotto I know this is more than a month past, but a couple of weeks ago I finished a Grandson complete rebuild.  It was one of the easier amps that I have done and really sounds terrific. I mean really performs at a high level.  Just wanted to send you some encouragement.  Good Luck,  Tim
johnnyotto OP
22 posts
 
@timlub Thanks for the encouragement!  It sounds like any competent repair guy can get this thing perked up again.  I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying the Hafler SE120, but it would be good to hear the Grandson again, too.
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