2. amps-preamps
  3. 1255045928

Rebuild or New?

I’ve been thinking it’s time for a new amp. I have a Carver 200t Magnetic I bought new in 1987. I’ve run the hell out of it. No joke, there has got to be thousands of hours on this thing. It’s never failed me at all. I wonder though, after years of use, could degradation with the electronic parts have slowly, imperceptibly, colored the sound?

A friend told me two things are the enemy of electronics, vibration and heat. So, I have to wonder.

Am not sure but can these things be rebuilt with newer components? Or, should I just get a new amp?
barroter
chatta
314 posts
 
I don't know. In a sense, I would think it is time to do some work on it. But then again, if it works fine and sounds great,it migt not really be necessary.
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
755 posts
 
Few ss amps from 1987 compare favorably with current designs and parts, and that Carver is not one of them.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Caps, especially powersupply electrolytics age....poorly.
Look up 'roland' who is an acknowledged Carver guru. His e-mail address is in my other confuser, long gone. There are some proprietary parts which may be tough to find as well.
Are you in the mood to upgrade to an M400t? I've got one sitting in the garage and I don't suppose I'll ever get around to shipping it off and coming up with an application once fixed. I used it from new, also mid/late 80s, and just retired it in '07.
incredabillus
10 posts
 
I,m in the same boat with my old KRELL KMA 400,s. can any one enlighten me on the worth of doing a complete service and upgade
markwatkiss
508 posts
 
In my opinion,unless there is a nostalgic connection to that particular amp there is better value in the newer technologies.
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