2. amps-preamps
  3. 160991-11545

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 3 responses by flipwils11

flipwils11
15 posts
 
Great to hear!  I'm assuming since you mention Texas that you sent your 380S to Pyramid for repair?  I have the same preamp but so far so good.

Although it cost an arm and a leg to fix from Pyramid, my Levinson 23.5 amp is sounding phenomenal.
flipwils11
15 posts
 

I finally received my Levinson 23.5 back from Pyramid Audio in Austin Texas.  The left channel went out back in May, I got it packed up and shipped in early June, and got it back right before Halloween.  They had some difficulty with the repair because my amp was a bit of a pain to get right.

The total cost was $3700 not including shipping to them.  It was a huge pita and although I am overall happy, it is a more money than brains exercise.

If you are going to do this, only use UPS freight.  I nearly had a disaster shipping to them using regular UPS but luckily I used a mega size Pelican hard case which was a $300 investment on its own.  UPS freight guarantees it will ship on a pallet and not get rolled around on warehouse conveyor belts.

Like I said, more money than brains and a big investment in an old amp.  But I love it.
flipwils11
15 posts
 
I just did a 7 year restoration on a car with completely new panels and massive welding and rust repair.  The car drives and rides tighter than new.

You get what you pay for.  And some people don't subscribe to a throwaway, disposable use culture.  These objects (cars, amplifiers, etc) are fixable and are not something you give up on.
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