2. amps-preamps
  3. 1316179751

Is there an average life span for a preamp?

I have a 6 year old Adcom GFP-750 preamp that has been used for about 12,000 hours already. Is there a certain point in hours or years when I can expect something to fail? This particular preamp has a passive option which I like and use currently. When used pasively I would thing that it should last forever.Please let me know what experiences you have had. Thanks.

Joe
jjarocki
inna
7,256 posts
 
Yes, but it is unknowable for each particular case.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
I've had my Luxman preamp for over 35 years without any problems whatsoever.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,662 posts
 
The main limitation is the life of the filter capacitors in the power supply. These days the half life of them is about 20 years (IOW- in 20 years half of them will have failed).

Of course many units will run longer than that but its a safe bet that if the filter caps are changed out they will sound instantly better!
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
When your pre or amp no longer has the sparkle, it's probably the caps. I just changed some 15 year old caps, and that prvented me from buying a new pre.
nickjn
111 posts
 
I have seen pre's from the late 70's and still sounding good...it depends on how you treat them.
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