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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
ebm
9,311 posts
 
No you got beat big time.
timlub
2,039 posts
 
I didn't see it in here.  What is the charge to say.  "Do no repair?"  I'm not a tech, but I have repaired and rebuilt many amps.  This looks like 6 hours or so for me, which makes me think that a tech that is familiar with this model could do it in 4 hours or less.  Also,  I have a shelf of a varied quality of caps that are all 50, 63, 80 or 100 volt parts,  10,000 to 47,000 mfd caps. This amp most likely has somewhere between 10 to 22,000 mic parts and realistically 63 to 80 volts... These caps run from $15 for 10,000 to around $25 for 22,000 80v and all can be had for half of that if you don't mind chinese parts.  Current labor around me averages around $95 an hour.  Lets say 5 hours of work, 8 filter caps at $20 each and 8 smaller caps at $4 each... That puts you at $675, maybe a couple of odds and ends.  Puts you at $700,  plus return shipping.  
You may feel like a cheap skate or something, but I would put numbers to Musical fidelity,  tell them what you feel and ask them to see what they can do.  If you love the amp and will keep it for years, fix it.  If not, cut your losses.  I suspect that there is some wiggle room and they may offer a better price.   Good Luck,  Tim 
boisehomes's avatar
boisehomes
56 posts
 
Krell quoted me $1200 per amp to have my FPB 350’s done. These manufacturers get top dollar for sure! 😝
fixedincome
111 posts
 
Waiting for UPS!  The refurbishment of my Mark Levinson 380s Preamp is complete and on the way home.  Looking forward to 20 more years of great music!  Total cost was $714.50 plus shipping to TX.  Depending on how it sounds when it gets back, I'm very happy with the price.

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.
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