2. amps-preamps
  3. 191209-179778

Power amplifier longevity… thoughts?

Since I’ve bought a pair of Magnepan LRS+ speakers, I am searching for a used power amp with enough power and current to drive them as they deserve.

Some candidates come to mind and searching the used market (Hifi Shark) some are available for sale, for example:

- Classé CA-201

- Rotel RHB-10

- Acurus A200

- Muse 160

- Parasound HCA-1200 MkII

- Ayre V-1X
 

The possibility of buying a top quality amp at a friendly price is very appealing, especially comparing with todays new gear prices.

But the majority have way more the 20 years and one never knows the amp history, so there always the probability of a costly repair, and even the impossibility of restoration to the original specs when no parts or the service manual are available.

I wonder, in a general way, if an quality amp (and all parts) maintain the sound quality after all those years, needed only a check and bias adjustment.

Of course, in most hi-fi gear the capacitors and resistors are usually the first to need attention (change) but can those large caps (the size of a can of beer) last longer?

 

audiofilo123
gpsteve
1 posts
 

Schiit Audio +1

Particularly the Vidar (ver. 1) used as mono blocks. I currently run with Maggie 1.7i’s.

inagroove
83 posts
 

+1 onhwy61 

Who stated - "Of the amps you listed the Ayre would generally be considered a higher quality amp than the others."

If you go for an Ayre, they are still in business. I recently had Ayre replace/upgrade the capacitors in my Amp, and they sound great.  

The service is excellent. You could drop-ship your purchase to them, have it bench tested and upgraded before it is installed in your system.

best of luck...

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
703 posts
 

@OP - to answer your specific question - no, "those large caps, the size of a can of beer" do not last longer. The electrolytic PSU reservoir caps are the most common point of failure in older amplifiers. If the amp is knocking around 20 years old, replacing those caps is pretty much essential preventative maintenance. But pretty much any component in an amp can fail over time.

 

yesiam_a_pirate's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
yesiam_a_pirate
179 posts
 

I love tub gear but at 20 years old there will be some issues with sockets, hot resistors and weeping caps. If you are not handy with a soldering iron budget for repairs.

Maggies LOVE Bryston 4B SST or 7B SST (or the cubed series if you have the budget). They come with a 20 year transferable warranty and have great sonic performance. Figure about 4K for a pair of 7B SST mono bocks with 700 watts. I have a pair that I use for my bass drivers and really have grown to love them.  (I use an Audio research VT 130 stereo amp to drive the mids/tweeters) 

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