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Tubed preamps and Power amps- How old is too old???

I am currently using a Conrad Johnson Premiere LS17 preamp. This preamp was well regarded when it came out a bit over 20 years ago and list price was over $4000. It has probably seen 8000-10,000 hours of play time. The tubes are all Amperex that test and work fine.

To my ears, it sounds great. That being said, at what point either due to wear of internal parts and/or improved design, is it worth replacing? There is no doubt that things on the digital side of things have move quickly with respect to innovation and implementation but what about preamps and power amps, especially tube ones?

Any members, replaced aging tubed preamps and power amps and found it worthwhile assuming you stayed at a similar quality level? If you wanted to upgrade from my preamp, what would you consider? Budget of $7500 max. For reference, I use digital sources and an R2R Dac and Quicksilver Mid Mono Power Amps into reasonably efficient speakers. No phono section required or wanted.

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marco1's avatar
marco1
518 posts
 

I’ve never owned Quicksilver but have heard them many times.  I think the CJ amps better them in both build and sound quality.  If you like the EL34 power tube look for a Premier 11xs with Teflon caps.  They’re very hard to find so you’ll have to be patient. They’re also only 30w so be sure they will work with your speakers.  Premier 12xs is another more powerful option. I owned them. Also hard to find.  Both will be an excellent match with your preamp.  If you can find either amp with Teflon caps it will mean they’ve been updated, probably in the last 10yrs (or less), and will give you many more years of service.  The Classic 60 that you mention would also be an excellent option and would begin to give you the more modern CJ sound.

tuberculin
81 posts
 

I've owned a CJ PV6 for 40 years. It has been in constant service. The CJ tech replaced/upgraded the caps to their new type in 2017. I played it 8-12 hours a day since it returned having been blessed by CJ. I just have had to replace the tubes. It sounds great and I would put it up against any modern unit that is comparable.

pickindoug
54 posts
 

I have tube amps from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 90s, plus a Had Inspire KT88 just for fun, and tube preamps from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 90s.  They each have been restored to daily driver status, some with upgrades to the original intent, but I haven't heard anything in modern tube gear (within a budget of $4-5k) that compels me to replace them.  I'm sure there's something marginally better out there, but probably not at a price I'm willing to pay.  

koh_i_noor
44 posts
 

I think its prudent to check electrolytics after 20-30 years. Its easy to visually inspect them for swelling and leaking of the liquid. If there is a leak, definitely replace. The first caps after the rectifier have the most stress, so might need new ones even if other caps are ok. I had a dynakit from the 1950s, and its cap was ok. I looked at voltages, and I looked at the waveform of the B+ at the cap tabs and could see the caps smoothing out the signal. I have a capacitor checker as well. So I don’t think age of a device makes replacement necessary as long as you like how it performs.

russbutton's avatar
russbutton
429 posts
 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Some of the best sound you'll ever hear in a preamp is a classic Mac C22.

I once heard a Fisher 400 CX-2 (The President) and was amazed at how good it sounded.

If you're worried about your C-J, take it to a good tech for a once over.  Hi-end audio of the month club is for crazies.
 

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