2. amps-preamps
  3. 166069-149900

Typical lifespan for a 5 channel power amp?

Hello All,

So last year I had a chance to get my hands on a Simaudio Moon Titan HT200 5 channel amp. It was listed for $5500 on Ebay. I threw out an offer of 3K cash never ever expecting to get it, yet they accepted (I was within driving distance and that was very intriguing for the seller to not have to ship this beast and we did it offline thereby saving the seller fees, etc). It had low hours and really is in pristine shape. I had wanted this amp since it first came out in early 2000. Don't get me wrong I am thrilled with this amp and love it. However I can't help but feel since it is quite a bit older, and I do use it every single day for music, tv watching, movies, how many more years does this thing have left? Would I be better selling now while it still is in full, pristine operating condition and getting something new like say an Earthquake Cinenova Grande or ATI 6005?

Any thoughts/advice greatly appreciated...
kingbr
perkadin's avatar
perkadin
286 posts
 
I have the Contour 1.8's, 1.1's and center. Like the Sim gear, Dynaudio overbuilds their speakers and are built to last.  At one point I had them set up in a HT configuration but now they are in two separate rooms after moving. So I have a 3ch HT setup and use the 1.1's with a tube amp in the bedroom.  It's nice having a secondary system, and I was pleasantly surprised how well the 1.1's work with tubes in triode. I think their relatively flat impedance curve really helps.  People make a huge fuss over sensitivity and tubes but there much more to it then spl levels.  
erik_squires
16,118 posts
 
20 years or more for a solid state amp is not unreasonable.

The biggest issue I can think of for multi-channel amps is ventilation.  Shoving 3 additional channels in the width of a traditional 2 channel amp is a challenge for space and air flow. If they are put in a tight rack with little air flow they probably won’t do as well as an open shelf.
kingbr OP
344 posts
 
@perkadin the Contour's are my next step after I win the lottery, LOL! I've never even listened to them and I don't want to because they're outta my league and I love my Evokes so all that will do is mess with my head:)

Thanks @erik_squires  I have the ventilation piece covered (uncovered actually:) as the amp is on its own stand beside my entertain ctr...so it's got plenty of breathing room...
gandlshevchuk
8 posts
 
Hello,

I believe I have some good insight for you,  I'm a SimAudio Dealer and not too long ago acquired a pair of the SimAudio Moon Rocks.  They worked well when I got them , but not perfect. I ended up sending them to the factory to  have them completely gone through.  They cleaned up the insides, went though the amps and had to recalibrate both amps as they were well out of spec after 15-18 years of age. They now sound much better and also got rid of some small background hiss.  I would say do it as long as figure a proper shipping container.

 Now the big decision is do I keep them or put them up for sale. They would surely be a nice addition to the system I'm building.
kingbr OP
344 posts
 
@gandlshevchuk You are extremely correct, that was great insight actually! Thank you:) I really appreciate you sharing that experience...It certainly helps...

The gentleman I bought the Titan from (also a dealer) had the same dilemma almost verbatim as you, his comment when I picked it up was "I wanted to keep this for myself for my own system but I couldn't find a preamp worthy of matching". He definitely didn't love selling the Titan:)
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