2. amps-preamps
  3. 179040-156443

Amplifier Longevity Question

When I got started with quality two-channel equipment, after my first pair of decent speakers (B&W CDM-7NTs), I bought a Magnum Dynalab MD208 receiver.  This was in approx. 2001; a leap of faith, based mostly on a Stereophile review.  About a year later, after upgrading speakers, I bought a McIntosh MC402 power amp, and used the Magnum Dynalab only as a preamp and tuner.

Although I've since changed sources, speakers, and cabling, the MD208 and MC402 are still in use today.  (For about 7 years, they weren't used much; before and since they've been played daily, or close to daily.)  I have no complaints about sound quality.  I have noticed zero SQ degradation, despite two household moves, and placement in living rooms for the entire period.  My system (with Sonus Faber speakers) sounds good to me, and to my wife, a retired classical musician.  I wish the MC402 didn't weigh about 115 lbs, and would rather that our last movers hadn't lost the MD208's remote, and somehow caused the volume knob to decrease its immediate responsiveness (a very minor issue), but otherwise, I have nothing to complain about.

But nothing last forever. And at this point, a decent audiophile system is important to us. I'm not itching to make a change, but I am curious to get some sense from my fellow A'goners about the remaining useful life of these two components, which have served me well.  What should I reasonably expect?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

gg107

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,800 posts
 

I have very successful experience with several vintage tube receivers, mono amps, preamps, some 1958, others 1964. Complex tape recorders from the 80’s. TT from the 80’s.

One example: McIntosh mx110z tube tuner/preamp, 1964. bought on eBay, tubes all tested good on my tube tester, listened, loved it’s sound for 2 years as received,

Then, sent it to Audio Classics for overhaul. Best thing they did was replace all the old rca corroded jacks with new gold plated jacks!

They replaced several capacitors and resistors because ’at this age, many of the components had drifted in value’.

Oh yeah, they aligned the FM tuner.

Great, but could I hear the difference? Nope, sounded great before and after, but those corroded jacks were problematic, new ones let me sleep better!

IOW, drifting out of value more than likely true, but audible, that’s hard to say.

Cleaning pots, switches, tightening tube sockets contacts with tube pins, testing tubes: I do that myself, but if not, the old stuff definitely benefits from having a shop do that.

 

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