I’m still playing my dads HH Scott tube StereoMaster receiver. Only thing I’ve changed are the tubes. No maintenance since new in 1962.
Amp craftmanship/Quality
I'm not so concerned how a amp/line stage pre amp sounds.
No not really, MY main concern is how ~~reliable~~ it is.
To me, all tube amps sound pretty close the same.
The most single factor of importance is ~~The Reliablilty Factor~~.
Repairs as you know are expensive, not to forget the suffering involved. = Pure hell.
I own a Jadis Defy 7, no repairs running 7k+ hrs,(20+ yr old amp)
Knock on wood.
I had a Cayin CD17 tube player, 8 yrs useage, no repairs,.
This is what I am talking about.
I want a amp that will perform day in, day out, month after month year after year, decade after decade, with no repairs.
Quality of build is everything in a amp, Far less imporatance how it sounds.
How it sounds is not a relaiable factor, as each of us has a different set of hearing.
I think most topics here are concerned about sound, and less about The Reliability Factor.
No not really, MY main concern is how ~~reliable~~ it is.
To me, all tube amps sound pretty close the same.
The most single factor of importance is ~~The Reliablilty Factor~~.
Repairs as you know are expensive, not to forget the suffering involved. = Pure hell.
I own a Jadis Defy 7, no repairs running 7k+ hrs,(20+ yr old amp)
Knock on wood.
I had a Cayin CD17 tube player, 8 yrs useage, no repairs,.
This is what I am talking about.
I want a amp that will perform day in, day out, month after month year after year, decade after decade, with no repairs.
Quality of build is everything in a amp, Far less imporatance how it sounds.
How it sounds is not a relaiable factor, as each of us has a different set of hearing.
I think most topics here are concerned about sound, and less about The Reliability Factor.
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- 25 posts total
McIntosh, that’s why I switched over to them a long time ago. I was sick of buying new stuff every couple of years. My MC 500 amp is from 98-99, and it will run for my lifetime. Also if you do have a problem they will be there like they have for the last 70 plus years to help. The same people, people who have been working there for 20 to 30 years, hand crafting each piece in the USA. What more could you ask for. Just my opinion, reliable, rock solid, and awesome sounding gear! |
wolfie62214 posts09-11-2021 11:15amI’m still playing my dads HH Scott tube StereoMaster receiver. Only thing I’ve changed are the tubes. No maintenance since new in 1962. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Some of the old designs were built to last forever. Dyanco Allen Organ amps I see Macintosh has some votes as extremely reliable. As someone mentioned, some cities are slim for locating good repair shops. So this is why I brought up this topic. If a city has only 1 shop, the tech , if not so fair, knows he's the only kid on the block and can charge whatever he wishes. Someone also mentioned tube reliability is extremely important to keep repairs at a bare minimum. Which is why my tech guy, made clear , only buy tubes with very high reputation, and from a shop that has excellent matching test equipment. He tends to prefer the russian tubes, as best selection. I note china has new labs , such as Psvane , a lab known to reject any tube that does not meet their highest specs. But for me, having a 12 tube amp, its too pricey. I have the gut feeling the Defy7, will be such a relaible amp. This confidence allows me to relax and enjoy the music with no fear of hiss and hum. The Defy had 20+ yrs, and tech found only 1 issue, the main cable(8 wires) from power trans to speaker out post, was corroded at 1 solder connection, and so we replaced with Navships Silver high tech 12 gague. Have all new Mundorf caps, and most resistors changed to Takman Rey metal. |
Hello, My issue with this is some stuff made today is cheaper than it was vs back in the day. I have a friend who has a BAT that has 20 years on it. He just started to have some problems. I have heard it is not good to keep tubes in too long. I have to say if the component stoped working tomorrow that is amazing. Some stuff also got better. If you are going to buy new I would ask for peoples choices of brand and how long they have had it. VTL, BAT. Rogue, Raven, DecWare, and Cary. What Brands, model, tubes have lasted 5-10 years. I am just worried some companies have figured out where to cut corners. |
- 25 posts total