Components drift over time. Most new parts have 5% tolerance. Everything has a sweet spot and at some point in time all components drift into (and out) this sweet spot. The first thing we do when we get a "sweet sounding" old amp is measure the components and document the values. If we do a one off build we use the schematic but with the "drift values" of that sweet old amp. You can get new components at a 1% tolerance to "dial it in" but they cost more. Heat and age take a toll on resistors-diodes and caps. I just recapped my Sonic Frontiers SFS-40 that's going up for sale. The dynamic range is back - it has serious punch. While I was in there I replaced the power transistor and now the bias is rock solid. Everything affects everything. If you love the circuit design it might be worth a going through. Capacitor design has come a long way in the last 20 years. A Rubycon 450v 10uf cap is smaller than the old design but most likely more robust. Transistors dry up as well. Room acoustics and one's hearing mechanism is probably more important. It never ends so don't worry :)
Refurbish vs New Amplifier?
I have been enjoying a Krell KST-100 for many years. I am contemplating having it
refurbished at the factory (vs a local independent tech).
also under consideration --buying a new amp replacement. (Audio Alchemy? or similar priced amp
--perhaps even a used).
Wondering what a factory refurbishment would run me (rough idea) and if anyone knows a reliable tech
in NY-NJ-CT area. I actually live fairly close to Krell and could drop the amp off!
Also
Not having been in the market for a while--I wonder if at the $2K to $3k range a new amp would surpass the performance of the older Krell?
Finally--the reviews of the Audio Alchemy Amp (I have their DDP-! phono stage and power supply already and find them quite good) are pretty good. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
refurbished at the factory (vs a local independent tech).
also under consideration --buying a new amp replacement. (Audio Alchemy? or similar priced amp
--perhaps even a used).
Wondering what a factory refurbishment would run me (rough idea) and if anyone knows a reliable tech
in NY-NJ-CT area. I actually live fairly close to Krell and could drop the amp off!
Also
Not having been in the market for a while--I wonder if at the $2K to $3k range a new amp would surpass the performance of the older Krell?
Finally--the reviews of the Audio Alchemy Amp (I have their DDP-! phono stage and power supply already and find them quite good) are pretty good. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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- 23 posts total
- 23 posts total