Upgrading amplifiera.

Well thanks for letting me off the " amplifier " hook. How did I let that happen?

Their was a guy that was upgrading the Antique Sound Labs Hurricane tube amps. He was said to re solder all the joints. Costs as much as the amps did new. I thought that was over the top>

Some folks are forced to upgrade (or at least get something different) when they buy themselves those shiny new speakers! 

Upgrading amps goes on all the time in general, maybe too much you could say. I used to think in terms of upgrading, but after a few decades at it, now anymore I buy something modest but inherently good and then just mod and tweak it like crazy to get the sound I want...but, as it goes out there, that's just me.

OTOH, I've just about reached the conclusion that, longterm in this hobby, if you Don't find at least some sort of way, system building wise, to think outside the box (room design or treatments, conditioning, wiring...or Something to help out), then the upgrade marrygoround will be in the end about all that's left for you...whether we talk amps or just about anything else.

You can or you can be happy with the equipment you have. It's a personal choice but for me it builds the upgrade flame. If you buy it right the first time chances you'll die before you need or want to change anything. Having a well balanced system that works well together and serves the music and you're done. My system doesn't do fireworks but it plays music well or well for me. I bought my system in the mid 1990's the only thing I do is changes caps and bias the amp every 10 years or so. Someone willing to do that can play it for a lifetime.

do it before the electrolytic caps blow up

otherwise, not the most important aspect of SQ - speakers, room, cartridge/turntable, DAC all come first

Do most people send their amps in for repair, then have the repair guy say, " I have some great upgrades for this amp ".