2. amps-preamps
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Amp repair cost — is this right?

I recently sent my Musical Fidelity a308cr power amp off to be recapped. This amp is somewhere around 16-18 years old and one of the power caps failed. I contacted Musical Fidelity and sent it to a repair shop they recommended. Today I received an estimate to replace 18 caps, 8 of which are large power caps, resolder the boards, and re-bias the transistors. Basically a full overhaul. The quote I received, including return shipping (prob around $100) Is over $1,300 which possibly exceeds the value of the amp. That doesn’t include the $115 it cost me to ship it out. Having never had an overhaul done on a power amp like this, I’m wondering if anyone with experience can tell me if this sounds right. I guess I was expecting something more like $600-$800 but I don’t know why since I really don’t have a frame of reference. Perhaps it was the assumption it might be 4 hours labor (say $400) plus max $200 for caps. Is $1,300+ on track? Either way I’m going to be out the shipping cost plus a $160 fee paid for the estimate.
jnehma1

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,325 posts
 
The price is reasonable if the person doing the work does great work.  A customer of mine took a non CJ amp to Bill Thalmann to see if he could upgrade his amp.  Bill installed 10 diodes and charged him $10 per diode.  They cost about $2.00 each so who knows.

The point being what capacitors are going to be installed.  Nichicon for that price is reasonable, computer grade caps IMO would be over priced for the job.  Grannyring is correct though.  A Counterpoint SA-5000 preamp requires 48 wires to be unsoldered before you can get the circuit board out and then 48 to put back together.  Nor sure how I charge for that time.  What kind of amp can you get for lets say $2000?  Would that amp be a sonic upgrade?

Happy Listening.
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