Counterpoint SA20

I've owned numerous Counterpoint amps, preamps including a SA-220 which is a more current version of the SA-20.
I've moved on from this gear.
The Counterpoint amps were known for mosfet failure of which the replacement parts are no longer available. Sometimes Mr. Elliott has some used mosfet parts he salvages when he performs rebuilds/upgrades. Or, you can opt for a rebuild/upgrade which is pricey IMO.

My brother once purchased a Elloitt modded SA-220 here on Agon. The Fedex shippers had their fun with it so I was damaged. Elliott inspected the unit and replaced one medium size cap. That repair bill was almost $400 not including shipping. My brother packed the amp in another box (since the original box was ruined) and secured the amp with foamy peanuts. Elliott charged $12 to pick up the foamy peanuts off his shipping/receiving floor.
A crazy but true story. The face plate was severally bent and these are near impossible to find used. Also, if you decide to get the amp fixed locally Elloit charges, if I recall correctly, $75 for a schematic. These schematics reflect original circuit design. His modded preamps/amps used a different circuit layout so the original schematic is not usable. Your then stuck shipping the modded unit back to him for repairs which can be costly.

Do NOT ship the amp to him.
Post it here on Agon. Some Agon member/techie may buy it who has the ability to repair it. Move on and get something else. Else, be prepared to pay serious money.

There's a Counterpoint SA-5000 preamp listed today on Audiogon. Read the ad or better yet email the seller.
You'll probably want to sell the amp ASAP, after this...

Daniel,
I just read that ad and wow! Sounds like AltaVista is pretty horrible, and I understand his frustration but he will never get out from under that preamp with that description. Unless of course his intent is just to slam Alta Vista in which case mission accomplished. Unreal!

I didn't figure it would cost so much to fix it for that much money i can buy a couple of amps I look around and there is a place call green audio that fixes the Counterpoint waiting for a reply costly TO FIX THE AMP . Any idea what i i should sell for just to recover what I lay out ..

Daniel and Jond, one consumer's problems with a product or company does not imply everyone should run from the product or the company. I have seen that SA-5000 preamp listing here for several months. First of all, anyone who has nearly $8k invested in an 'updated" SA-5000 is a fool. With the Aria WV5 out almost 4 years now, at less than $8k, and which handily outperforms any variation of the SA-5000, why would anyone put so much money into the upgrade. The same goes for the SA-11 which was in a completely different league of performance over the SA-5000. These older Counterpoint products are fine for repair but upgrading them now makes no sense at all.

My experiences with getting a Counterpoint NPS-400 and SA-2 repaired and updated through Alta Vista Audio were quite different.....both were major success stories. And the Aria WV5 preamp designed by Michael Elliot continues to perform incredibly well against the competition at much higher cost than the Aria.

Concerning the Counterpoint SA20/220, Michael Elliot, the designer, has written for years that the amplifying devices for this amp are no longer available. Buying these amps used today, might result in great sonic performance, but once the amp dies, the buyer has few options without spending much for a fully rebuilt amp with newer parts, This is costly. But as one person here wrote, some of these older devices might be available from ann amp that was sent in for upgrade.