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Power Amplifier Longevity

Hi All, 
I am venturing into the separate component world and was wondering how long a good power amp typically lasts.  I may have access to some older Lexicon CX and LX series amplifiers.  However, since they are discontinued and nearly 20 years old from what I understand, should I be concerned with how much longer they will last?  If they do need servicing, is this something that is available at a reasonable cost?  Or should I invest in newer equipment?

Budget is a concern for me which is why I am interested in these older (higher quality) amps at a reduced price versus spending the same amount on something newer, but lower quality.

At this time, I have a Marantz AV8802A and Vienna Acoustics speakers. 
Main L/R - Mozart Grand
Center - Maestro Grand
4 Surrounds - Waltz Grand

I thank you in advance for any advice provided on this subject.
Brian


brianb339
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,325 posts
 
Capacitors start drying out after 10-15 years especially if used a lot .
ifprice is good buy and have all power caps,and coupling caps upgraded
I allways hav3 it optimized ,you end up witha better amp then new for less then 1/2 replace toowiring and connectors with decent gold copper ,not brass and Neotech Teflon copper wire   
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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,104 posts
 
The quality of the capacitors used can have a big effect on the longevity. Cheaper caps are maybe 20 years or so (I call it a 'half life' but what I mean by that is half of them that old have failed by that time). Better quality means that your half life is more like 30 years. So it is prudent to consider filter cap replacement in any electronics if they are older than 30 years! 
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bob540
425 posts
 
I know nothing about electronics, but a couple of months ago I gave the Sony AV receiver I bought new in 1991 to my nephew to use, along with similar vintage Jensen speakers rated at 8 ohms.  Before I gave it to him, I looked inside and cleaned it up a bit, and the filter capacitors looked fine (not swollen or leaky), as did the circuit boards (not dark or burnt-looking).  I found the sound to be pretty good, for what it is.  But from reading here, it sounds like a receiver that old likely has capacitors (and perhaps other parts) on the way out, and when that happens the speakers are probably going to be damaged too.  Unless one does their own repairs, does it make sense to repair something like that when it does go out?  So, use it at your own risk and throw it away when it blows?
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