2. amps-preamps
  3. 1353731391

Nakamichi PA-7 Stasis Hum

My dad was very much into his stereo, and put together a nice Nakamichi system with KEF 107 speakers. He passed away in 2001, and the stereo doesn't see much use anymore, but for Christmas, or whenever my mom wants to watch a movie on the big screen. Unfortunately, the PA-7 has developed a very loud and annoying hum, and the left channel "warning light" lights up as soon as the amp is powered up. My first thought was that amp was always more than those speakers could handle (couldn't turn the volume up more than half way without those warning lights starting to flash), so why not just replace it with a less expensive one? After reading a bit on what it takes to properly supply those speakers with power, I'm now leaning towards getting the PA-7 repaired, but I don't know a thing about it, really. Is it worth it to get the PA-7 repaired, or could the same money be better spent investing towards another power amp? Keep in mind I don't have a lot of cash, and expensive stereos aren't the most important thing to me or my mother. I understand that's not the case with you folks, and I respect that, I'm just asking for you to keep it in mind when offering suggestions to us.
Thanks for your time,
Matt
emjaysea
mechans
3,048 posts
 
It is a very good amp with a cultish following given that the design is attributed to Nelson Pass. So for an "audiophile" it is worth resuing. But as Wolf points out that is not the case here. The problem will be in matching the quality of the sound you had with the Stasis with an inexpensive new amp. There are some of course but you will have to specify a budget. A $500 amp is not expensive in these forums but might be twice what you want to pay.
BTW with $500 you might be able to repair and recap the amp you have now, but I wouldn't have anyway of knowing that for sure.
emjaysea OP
6 posts
 
Thanks guys. I'd say $500 would be the upper end of what we'd be willing to spend. I've also contacted the store the system was bought at (30 years ago now), just to see what their take on it is.
Appreciate the insight.
Matt
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Make sure you try a new pair of Interconnects between the Pre amp and Power amp first
Or just swap in the good right channel interconnect into the left ch and see if the hum noise is gone .
JohnnyR
emjaysea OP
6 posts
 
I'm checking into getting the amp repaired, in the meanwhile, what amps costing $500 or less could drive those KEF 107s?
Thanks again!
More to discover