Conrad Johnson Mf-2500a amp and PF-1 Preamp Recap?


Does anyone have experience or educated knowledge on if it makes sense to recap these.  I've owned them for 6-7 years but at this point they are getting to be 20+ years old and was wondering if there would be benefit.  I've read somewhere CJ doesn't really like to do recaps on old gear so looking for some guidance.  Costs?

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Depends how long you plan to keep them. If these are lifetime purchases for you, it’s worth doing. Not the signal caps but the power supply caps, ESPECIALLY in the amp as their failure can cause a cascade of failures that may leave you with a boat anchor instead of an amp, and take a speaker out with it.  With the latest caps, using high temperature variants, you coudl be set for 30 years.

Otherwise, sell them and let the next person deal with it.

I've read somewhere CJ doesn't really like to do recaps on old gear so looking for some guidance.  Costs?

I vaguely remember hearing this as well. I own/owned the MF-2300A and PV-14LSII. What I can say is that I’ve contacted cj multiple times through email and they’ve always been transparent and responsive with their repair estimates. If I was in your position, I’d try sending them an email. Side note of interestingness: I’ve been told that cj doesn’t like to share their schematics - unsure if this unique or common?

If we're talking PS caps, which really should be done every 25-30 years with modern caps, you don't need a schematic.  The caps will be labelled in big bold numbers. Any tech can do them.

I'd leave the signal caps alone.  At the point where you start chaning those you'll just want a new piece of gear. :)

CJ gear is top tier equipment and well worth fixing if you are going to keep it. The 2500a gets lots of love from its owners. I recapped my CJ PFR preamp and it was well worth the $$$ spent.