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  3. 142606-137

Catastrophic Accident! What To Do!?

This actually happened during the holidays.  I'm having a hard time dealing with it.  I've owned my Music Reference RM9 amp for over 15 years.  While replacing a fuse, something I've done easily over 2 dz. times thru the yrs, The amp tipped over.  Long story short, the way the unit fell damaged/smashed most of the tubes (12 in total!).  Man, seriously, I practically feel like I've lost a member of my family!  I've been in contact with Roger Modjeski at Ram Labs and they've been 100% supportive even though I'm not the original owner.  But the dilemma is substantial, the amp can be repaired no doubt, but to transport it from S. Fl. to Ca., plus tube replacement, plus possible other repairs.  Not sure it makes dollas & sense.  The fact is I'm not the youngster I was when I 1st acquired the gear, plus being retired the money ain't what it used to be.  This accident has seriously got me considering whether I should continue with the hobby.  The gear, 1000's of records and CD's somehow, suddenly feels like a bit much.  I've been into the gear for 35+ yrs. but I've been a music-lover my entire life, I'll never stop listening....but maybe it's time to downsize?  Ram Labs has offered help in testing, and/or repairing, and even offered the alternative of selling the unit for parts.  Tremendous support!  I think I'd be able to sell it but I just can't bring myself to go down that road, not yet.  So into the 'spares' closet she goes, and since I don't have another amp, it's headphone time!  

Here's hoping y'all have a safe and incident-free New Year!
128x128chazro
52 responses Add your response
jperry
2,448 posts
 
FWIW I am on a program to downsize my system to components I can pick up and handle without extreme exertion. I am not planning to reduce the quality of reproduction, just the weight and size of the components. Sold my 80 lbs stereo amp and now own two 35 lbs each mono blocks.
whart's avatar
whart
3,037 posts
 
Not to minimize your grief (probably due to self-flagellation as well as the cost of repair/replacement of tubes), but we’ve all had stupid incidents at one point or another. I was moving one of my mono blocks about 2 feet in the room, and cracked one of the big tubes- since they are matched, that meant new big tube complement on one side- and of course, you can’t have new tubes on one side and old ones on the other (well, you can, but I didn’t want that).
So, aside from expense (I’m gettin’ old too, and don’t make the money I used to, so I’m more penurious) and trouble (shipping is a pain but), give it a little thought, but unless there’s something else you really want to do, get it repaired. Think of it as a complete tube replace, plus a go-over. (I don’t know when you last had that done). I suspect you’ll feel better once that’s in process. And don’t kick yourself. (which I think may be part of why you are out of sorts). Not that I’m good at field psychology. Just been there. We worry about all kinds of stuff. Hum? Cartridge wear? You’ll be good for a while after this!
PS: the question of when to bail out of all of this is an interesting one when we are aging. I have avoided it, thinking, hell, I'd be really unhappy if I didn't have a good system, all these records, etc. It's like when the kids say, 'you gotta hand over your car keys, you too old to drive.' Facing mortality isn't fun, but I don't think you're there yet. Keep rockin' :)
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