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End of an era: Genesis 500 servo amp died

I have loved my Genesis 500 speakers since I bought them new in 1994. Well finally one of them developed a problem--a hum in the right speaker. I got in touch with the company that took over Genesis and through them got a technical guy out to my house who removed the servo amp and transformer and shipped them out to Genesis in Seattle for diagnosis. Sad news is the amp can't be repaired. I was offered the option of replacing the amp in both speakers with the current version of the amp (which comes with the $32,000 current version of my speakers), together with replacing my woofers with the new current version, but the price is too high for me. It's not an unreasonable price but I can't see investing half of what I originally spent on these speakers to repair them. So for now, I have moved my ProAc D-13's from the living room to the basement listening room where the Genesis were, with my big BAT monoblocks (VK-55SE) and BAT VK-32SE preamp. The sound is OK but obviously nothing like what I was used to with the Genesis. Maybe I need to downsize everything at this point. I love the ProAcs, which were being used with an ARC CA-50 tube integrated upstairs, but they do not sound their best in this new configuration. They were better upstairs, with the integrated amp! I'm not sure where to go from here. I don't need two systems but now I have 1.25 systems and nothing sounds like I want it to. I could start over, building something around the D-13s. Or try another speaker with the BAT equipment--but I don't want to spend what I did on the Genesis (they were $15,000 back in '94). Any thoughts?
sc53
7 responses Add your response
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Maybe Bill Legall of Millersound might be able to help you out;I don't know if he gets into the electronics or not;but when it comes to speaker repair he is considered one of the best in the industry for repair;maybe he might have a name to pass along to you if he can not do this repair;worth a phone call; Bill at Millersound 215-412-7700.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,978 posts
 
You answered your own question. What's to ponder? Life is short. Get them fixed.
sc53 OP
719 posts
 
RhlJazz--I know, I should just get them repaired! Then I would have basically new updated speakers in the old cabinets, good for another 15-20 years or more. Since the system worked beautifully for so long, I know you are right. Twilo, as to what I will do with the 500's if I don't repair the one amp, I don't know. I see there is an auction for a pair on this site right now. One of the pair on auction has a big divot out of the base. From that pair and my pair somebody could have a perfect pair!
I am still just thinking about what to do. I doubt any new speaker will be as satisfying for me and my music preferences, room, other equipment etc. (as you note), so I should have my speaker repaired. I will continue to ponder.
twilo
357 posts
 
Sc53, what are you going to do with your Genesis 500 speakers if you don't get them fixed?
I always loved that Genesis circular ribbon tweeter?
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,978 posts
 
Rhljazz,
There is so much truth in what you said. It is so tempting to read about a component and convince yourself that is your next step up on the sonic ladder. If only it was always true! I have made the mistake with amps and speakers. As you said, one change can throw off the carefully constructed balance you (hopefully ) already have, and leave you less satisfied than you were.
I recently had some bonus money and decided that I should replace my speakers with a used pair here on Audiogon of similar design, but far more expensive build.
Within a week, I knew that I had made a mistake, and 5k and a lot of aggravation later, I am happily back with my former speakers, which I hadn't sold, and some guy in Romania is hopefully happy with my mistake.
The lesson is: don't make changes without careful consideration and ideally, an audition.
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 
Buying speakers is a pain. They need to match your taste in music, then they need to be compatable with the electronics driving them, and finally the match with your room.
You seem to be very comfortable with your current setup prior to the amp failure. You have already made a substitution which you find unsatisfying.
Get over the money part of the deal, ie how much the new amps and drivers are compared to what you originally paid for the speakers. It does not matter! For whatever fee that is, you retain all that you like without wholesale system changes. Perhaps, you might like the new amps and drivers even more.
Get your speakers repaired!
BTW I really like your amplification. I recently added a VK55 to my system and I find it a better match with my speakers than the VAC amp I was using.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,978 posts
 
If you don't need 2 systems, sell the one with the ProAcs, and use the money to repair the Genesis speakers.
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