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Older Electronics - When to cut bait? Your thoughts?

Hi - I am looking for your collective insight and advice.  I have a Conrad Johnson PFR preamp and MF2250 amp from the early 2000's.  Ironically, I purchased them because of their CJ tube sound AND yet they were more "maintenance free solid state" vs tubes.  Well, here I am approximately 20 years later and I repaired my PFR preamp for approx. $600 two years ago and my MF2250 just went out.

My question is, at what point is it prudent to cut bait and give up on older electronics before they become a money pit?  In the back of my mind I wonder when the PFR will go out again with some other problem and I am looking at another $600 repair.....by then I would be in it for $1,200 of repairs and that is a good chunk towards a newer model.....PrimaLuna for instance.  I am now very fine with tubes as it seems easier and less costly to replace tubes and I really a warm full sound.

For context, I love(!) the sound of the two units although I expect the same, if not better, can be had for a few grand each with lower risk of repair in the next 15+ years... Again, like a PrimaLuna.

Lastly, I know there is not a hard and fast rule here and the answer is subjectively unique for everyone although, I expect some of you have been down this road before so I would love to get your thought process and logic.  Your personal experiences can help inform my thinking as I ponder what to do.

THANK YOU!  Dave

For added context, although I am not sure it matters, I have:
-JanZen Valentia speakers
-McIntosh CD player, MCD205
-Linn LP12 will just about all the upgrades....money pit here:)
-PS Audio DirectStream DAC
-Moon Audio, Silver Dragon interconnects
-Whatever speaker cables....someday will get something else
butterman
gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh
381 posts
 
@tkr, your words spew truism throughout.  CJ is a fine product that needs to be treated to a few HQ tubes every now and then. Just like a good woman. Same for Rogue Audio products.
donvito
400 posts
 
How do you replace tubes with the CJ solid state gear that the OP is using?
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Timlib, most people do not rebuild stuff themselves hence rebuilding stuff costs money and I guarantee that the rebuilt stuff will require more rebuilding before the new stuff. If you know your way around a soldering iron making old stuff work is fun. I have my first real preamp my Marantz 7C that I bought used in 1970. I have kept it in working order for nostalgic reasons. It was a remarkable piece in its day but it can’t hold a candle to even inexpensive modern preamps. 
You either have a passion for music and this endeavor or you don’t. You want to make the best use of your money to achieve the best results. Spending money on outdated equipment does not make sense if there is better new equipment within financial reach. As for wives you just ask them if they would rather have you chasing women or turntables.
timlub, great that you make your own speakers. Most do not realize that with a little tinkering you can make a first class speaker for relatively little money. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,152 posts
 
We have an update-to-current with warranty reactivation program that applies to anything we've made. If the product you have has such a program available to it, then no need to worry- check with the manufacturer.
timlub
2,043 posts
 
@mijostyn
Well, I’ve been building speakers for decades (40 Years)... I’ve kept up with any new technologies as well as expanded my knowledge as time went on.... The amplifiers however are a different story. In the past, I’ve done very basic parts changes only. Recently, I’ve just wanted to learn. I fixed an old adcom, I fixed a Thule Audio, I then purchased an old heathkit AA-1600, completely rebuilt the boards and power supply, WOW, What an improvement, nice. I then grabbed a Kinergetics Pure Class A KBA-75. This amp worked when I got it. Cleaned it up, Fan was crazy noisy, replaced the fan and bad power switch, but To my surprise, when I opened it. All the electrolytic EXCEPT in the power supply have been replaced in the last few years. I did only a few parts changes on the boards, then dramatically upgraded the power supply caps. This amp sounded decent before the work, but another WOW, bass hit deeper, faster, sounds stage and imaging dramatically improved. Yes, I did it myself, that wasn’t the point. I was saying that some of this older gear after repair will stand against some top notch gear of today. I’ll probably sell this awesome kinergetics soon to make way for my projects, someone will get an amp cheap that will compete with mega buck amps of today. I suspect with proper reconditioning, the op will have a similar story with his CJ.
Also,  you gotta love people like Ralph at atma-sphere that will keep your old gear running a updated affordably. 
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