Lifespan of a quality solid state amplifier?

Herman; Thanks for the response. Typically I don't measure a loss of capacitance per se. What I check for physically, visually is actual leakage that is noticible on the capacitors. It is obvious and very easy to see. Others have stated that what they do is simply replace all electrolytic caps. This is also another way to go. I can tell you most electrolytic caps aren't that expensive, but power supply filter caps can really get up there in cost if the rail voltages are high. This is one reason why amplifiers are so expensive. The others are 1) transformers (very high cost), transistors and tube, can get up there in cost if they are speciality devices in low production, 3) machining enclosures, that are well designed and built to eliminate vibrations (i.e. very heavy), rediculously expensive heat sinks, etc. But the only times I typically measure capacitance is when I'm reverse engineering something. or if I simply can't read the lables on the devices because they are so old. But the originally poster's question regarding lifespan of ss amps assumes that there is no routine maintenance of the equipment. Like cars, amps and electronic equipment (that you want to keep operating for decades do need maintenance.) a qualified service tech can do it for you. Replace caps with equal or better quality caps, replace transistors, resistors, tubes, diodes, heat sink compound and thermal insulators, etc. and you basically have a brand new and maybe better amp. But for regular people that don't have the technical background to do this, I recommend that they just enjoy. However, it depends on the equipment. If, for example one gets their hands on the older top-of-the line Audio Research, Threshold, Mark Levinson, Atmasphere, etc. equipment, I would definitely try to service it and get it working correctly and keep it. If going to a "fire sale" and I find two Mark Levinson 20.6 amps, I would do whatever it takes to get those working correctly and keep them. Some older equipment is as good or better then most newer amps today. believe me.

enjoy

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Rieff, we are systematically replacing all of the motherboards and video cards from the affected period.

Minor, so you mean physical leakage like stuff oozing out of them. The problem is they are performing below spec well before they start oozing. Since most don't have the equipment to test them some people recommend replacing after 10 years. I don't want to debate exactly how long is the right amount of time as that has been debated before but waiting until they ooze is a little too late.

take care
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Cathode, I don't feel it is being negative to correct a mistake. Electronics is a branch of physics. It is science. We use specific terms with specific meanings to avoid confusion. Why anyone would insist otherwise baffles me.

For example, your use of MTBF is simply incorrect. It is Mean Time BETWEEN Failures. It is not the same thing as MTTF.

Something is working.
It breaks down.
You fix it.
It works for some period of time. (this the "between")
It breaks again.

The mean of those "It works for some period of times" is the MTBF. It is not, as you stated, the length of time it takes for a certain percentage to fail.

That is not being negative. It is correcting a mistake.

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Most electrolytic caps used in power supplies will show some signs of failure before they start to leak. Most such capacitors have some sort of plug on the terminal end that will show signs of bulging prior to outright failure of the part.

Its a judgement call as to how much of that you want to put up with, IMO if you want to be safe, any electrolytic that has a bulging plug should be replaced.