2. amps-preamps
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Servicing amplifiers from very small companies?

A lot of us buy amps/preamps from what are virtually one-person operations. In general, can these be serviced if the company shuts down? How easy is it for a skilled service shop to deal with a unit with which they are not familiar, even assuming all the parts are available (and is even this a good assumption?).

(I don't even want to ask about speakers or CD players/transports, as I don't think the prospects are good in those areas, but I was hoping prospects were brighter with electronics with no moving parts.)

I know this question has come up with Shindo in relation to parts, but I thought I would expand it.
rgs92
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,936 posts
 
Not only that, but there are a lot of bootleg copies of transistors on the market these days. So replacement power transistors have to come from a very reputable source.
rgs92 OP
974 posts
 
Well that's fine, as I like tube preamps best and that's what I use. By the way, I heard the Atmasphere amps driving the TAD monitors at Axpona NYC last June -- really compelling sound going on there.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,483 posts
 
I would guess that they can be made to work, but not as well as the company that originates them. I have been burned too many times to buy from small companies.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
IF I bought an amp from a 'small company', a Schematic and other docs would be part of the deal....or NO deal.
It's not like I'm going into business as a competitor.
dearing
48 posts
 
There are only a small handful of "companies" in high-end two-channel audio that are not "small" (i.e., one to four-man operations), so I'm not sure to what amplifier companies you are referring (Audio Research or Krell back in the 90's?).
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