Rebuild a Counterpoint SA-100 or start over?

The SA-100 is a power amp, not a preamp, and is definitely worth more than $500 when its rebuilt. You can certainly get fully working original SA-100s and SA-200s for around $800+, but they are not the same thing as the rebuilt units.

When Alta Vista rebuilds these units, they're not a rebuild-in-kind. They're basically a replacement of most of the electronics. Because Alta Vista operates on a very different business basis than Counterpoint did, you get a considerably higher value out of the rebuilds than the original units.

Most of the Alta Vista rebuilds are VERY extensive and QUITE expensive - the maxxed out rebuild of an SA-220 runs $3200+, plus the $800+ you put in to get the original unit. (There are less invasive $1500 rebuild options too.) I've heard the upgraded SA-220 and SA-5.1s, and they do sound REALLY smooth, but at those price points you have to consider a lot of other things as well, and the competition is quite stiff at that level.

However, the $1000 rebuild on the SA-100 looks like a pretty good deal, since the result (based on the SA-220 upgrade) is likely to be more than competitive with anything you can get for $1000-$1500.

I had a Counterpoint SA-100 4 ,3 years and it leaked current to y speakers.I had it rewired and it did not sound as good as bvefore.BTW Counterpoint rewired the amp.It lost its depth somewhat but still sounded great.

I had a SA-5.1 pre-amp upgraded by Mike Elliott. I also purchased the Aria monoblocks which are his latest hybrid design. My opinion is that your amp will become a different animal with the upgrade. Talk to him and see if your upgrade will meet your expectations.

You can buy a Rowland Model One for around $1000. No Counterpoint product at any price could ever compare.

i live in san diego ( minutes from counterpoint / alta vista) non of the local shops currently carry alta vista or carried previous counterpoint products because of relaiblilty issues.

mike elliotts gear is kinda like a jaguar car...when it is running..they are great..but when they go into the shop, they are never the same.

if you want headache and problems, then get the rebuild ( i think it is waaayyy overpriced)

otherwise i would avoid them. they have a reputation for very unreliable gear.

i would consider the muse 160 for $700. there is one on ebay (btw, it is not mine) or a pair of pse studio v monoblocks for ss amps.

if you want tubes, i would consider quicksilver monoblocks. they sound great and are very, very reliable unlike the counterpoint gear.

hope that helps !!

mike