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 5 responses by ml8764ag

Re. Phil’s response “The actual job to replace 8 capacitors is less than 30 minutes, and the cost of 8 capacitors is less than $100. The remaining is profit or "rip off" fee...”

World Class ridiculous statement...and gives great insight into why brick and mortar and skilled techs are becoming a thing of the past.

Ask these posters to do their jobs for free and see what response you get.


Ingnorance.
If you categorically refer to profit as “ripoff fee”  I can’t help you.

There are too many in this world that want something for nothing.  

Lots of uninformed opinions here....

Even before discussion that different caps would yield different costs and that design and layout are labor factors (I guarantee most here are not familiar with the 308s layout) people were barking out verdicts.

Just the choice of Caps will wildly change the price! You can buy caps that costs hundreds each if you choose!

The answer to your question is a firm... IT DEPENDS!

I can say from direct experience that I had an MF A5 integrated modded for about this price (with better caps, components and the results were stunning).

Please understand that there are a lot of people here who don’t understand that people need to make a living... If everything is done at or near cost... It’s called a hobby.

tazdevl30. +100

Bravo...well said...guaranteed that 99% of them never even used a soldering iron.