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amp repair cost too high??

Following up on the post <<is this tech charging too much on amp restoration/repair?>>

Maybe we can open discussion up as to when we should retire a  piece of equipment, or is the unit worth the upgarde/repair.
The amp in discussion, not sure what the used price goes for, but he mentioned repair/ship about $1500.
Seems to me, after a  decade+ of usage, perhaps it was time to bury the old amp and consider putting that $1500 towards a  used or new amp.
So the Q is , what factors  should we  take into consideration when comes time to repair or modify a  unit?
Hopefully this topic can open up ideas which we can all benifit from when it comes our turn to either repair, restore, or sell the unit.
The amp in the topic was a  Musical Fidelity I believe,, not sure what the used bluebook value is, but after 15 yrs seems would not have much resale value, Still , is it a  good idea to put $1500 into a  amp that can not fetch more than say $1200ish on the used market?



mozartfan
tablejockey
3,916 posts
 
I was recently torn between spending $750(the amount  I spent on a used PS Audio Power Plant)to refresh the unit, or trash it and just spend more money getting a new model.

I figured getting 5 years out of its 13, and now getting at least another 10(with a warranty) was a pretty good investment, since I like what it does for the system.

Value of audio gear is like the sound it makes-subjective. To most its just a way overpriced box.
livin_262002
187 posts
 
I’m about to drop off my tube integrated for a recap. It’s 15yr old now so it’s about time for a cap refresh before something goes out taking the output xfromers with it. A few resistors have gotten noisy as well. Its all about system synergy, my amp/speaker combination sounds glorious to me so why change.
gdnrbob
4,449 posts
 
Much depends upon who the manufacturer is.
Companies like Ayre, Atmasphere, Schiit, and Vandersteen, usually offer very reasonable upgrade/repair prices for their equipment.
Bob
mozartfan OP
2,143 posts
 
Much depends upon who the manufacturer is.


^^^^^^
This may be a  huge selling point for labs who wish to stay in healthy business over the next  80 years.
Labs should begin offering 
 a  ligit/bonifide tech service within a  reasonable distance from purchasers home.
 Offering reasonable priced repairs/upgrades, insupport of the lab's warranty. 
Labs which work with owners hassle free , will develope a  solid reputation for  long term success. 
The market will become highly competitive over comming years, this is one method to assure buyers <<Purchase with confidence>>


gs5556
1,235 posts
 
It's like everything else: replacement cost. If you have, for example, a 30-year old Levinson 23.5 it will cost close to $2,000 in repairs whereas the market value is around $2,500. The alternative is to buy a new amp. But how much do you have to pay to get the same performance? For that amp, easily 20 grand or more. That's why these repair shops do a good business.
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