2. amps-preamps
  3. 1414168553

Do amps lose steam over time?

I am a bit of a neophyte and realize that is probably a dumb question. But after a couple years of listening to my first legit system (Rotel Pro, Rotel RMB 1075 amp, Focal 918 Profiles, REL R-528 sub), it seems like it is not as dynamic, and frankly not as loud at the same volume level as it used to be. I'm aware it could just be that I've gotten accustomed to the sound (or my hearing is going). But I know that the amp, which I bought used, is pretty long in the tooth, so I was curious if it's not just my imagination and that the sound is devolving a bit.
128x128jgerish
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,948 posts
 
Everything deteriorates or flat out breaks eventually. Or it could be changes in your hearing or reaction to what you hear. Or all of the above. Can't hurt to pull everything apart and put it back together again once in a while if done with care. Clean ears can only help.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
How do you know the amp is the problem, and not another component in the system?
jgerish's avatar
jgerish OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the tips. Zd542, I don't know that it's the amp, but I don't know what else it could be, or how to find out.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
After about a decade most are on a downhill path, but the change is so gradual you don't notice it.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"10-25-14: Jgerish
Thanks for the tips. Zd542, I don't know that it's the amp, but I don't know what else it could be, or how to find out."

After reading your posts, I'm not convinced that you have a problem. You may, but it looks like you're relying on memory as your main source of info. Nothing wrong with that, but its hard to be exact.

A couple of things you may want to consider. First, is there any changes in the environment from when you got your system up until now? (I'm assuming you made no equipment changes). New carpet, new furniture, that type of thing. Second, you mention that you have a Rotel Pro. Was that a typo that should have read pre instead? If not, and you are using a HT processor, you may want to check the settings on it. It could be something as simple as having an individual gain setting on one of your sources too low, and you just don't realize it.
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