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Expectations after re cap of power-amp

My 1982 Yamaha M-2 power amp is in the shop and this time I agreed to replace all the suspect capacitors. Two of the capacitors are the size of coffee cans and the total bill may exceed $500. I am told that since all the replacement parts will be as good as or better than the original parts it should sound as good as new or better.

I’ve never done this before.  Should I expect “as good as new” or am I completely wasting my money?


timothywright

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,573 posts
 
Well, couple of things are at play.

Modern electrolytics are usually much better. Longer life, lower inductance, and lower equivalent resistance, means better power supply but..

how much of this, if any translates into sound quality is very much design dependent, so I wouldn’t try to oversell it.

Oh, also, make sure to replace any decoupling caps near the amp boards too, not just the big oil cans next to the transformer, as well as using higher temp caps.  That can increase their lifespan.
erik_squires
16,573 posts
 
My worst fear would be that the amp would sound worse not better and I might waste the money invested and butcher what was once a well respected amplifier.


Done well, the worst thing you should expect is 30 years of trouble free use.
erik_squires
16,573 posts
 
Assuming nothing else has aged, yes.

I've heard good things from some who have had these caps replaced, meaning they experienced tighter, better bass.  If nothing else you'll have another several decades of listening to look forward to.

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