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Lifespan of Power amps

What is a reasonable amount of time a power amp should perform without trouble, or need replaced? If kept in good, clean condition I'm guessing 20-25 years, is this correct? I have an 18 year old power amp and am just trying to figure how long it will be until I will need a new one. Does anyone think the technology is the same today as it would have been 18 years ago for amplifiers?
fruff1976
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jmo
115 posts
 
I have a 15 year old CJ amp that's still going strong and sounds great... I plan on having my amp modified/upgraded Bob & Gary Backert. Hopefully I'll get another 15 years. :O)
stewie
187 posts
 
I have a Kenwood Supreme 700m, built in the early 70s, recapped, re-transistored, etc about two years ago.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,753 posts
 
Electrolytic Capacitors are a fact of life in amplifiers, tube or solid state. They last about 20-25 years, which is a sort of half-life, IOW about half of them will be bad in about 20-25 years. Unlike radioactive isotopes, though, the rest will be following soon after. By 30 years they all should be replaced without question.
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
It's the capacitors. Caps last around 20 years. If you replace them BEFORE they die/break/explode, you'll have another 20 years.

Agree 100%.

Electrolytic Capacitors are a fact of life in amplifiers, tube or solid state. They last about 20-25 years, which is a sort of half-life, IOW about half of them will be bad in about 20-25 years.

I would add that if you buy an amp that has not been in use for several years then it can increase the risk that a cap will blow up when you first turn it on. If you store expensive gear then I'd suggest plugging it in once every six months to a year.
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