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
Krell quoted me $1200 per amp to have my FPB 350’s done. These manufacturers get top dollar for sure! 😝
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.

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.
flipwils 11;  Yes, I sent it to Pyramid.  I have never had a problem with the preamp but at over 20 years old, and a history of potential cap leakage resulting in board etching, I thought it best to have it inspected and refurbished.  Can't wait to hear it!

That is  a high price.   You would have a hard time finding a price that big going elsewhere.   Parts are less than $70 estimated.   Time for work, let's go long and say 8 hrs.   An experienced tech, esp with that exact piece of equipment, would do this faster.    $100  bucks an hour to cover labor and overhead, I come up with 870 plus tax.     None of these rebuilds are cheap anymore, that's for sure.   All depends on how much you like this amp, and what it would cost to replace it new.   If done properly, amp should last awhile.