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Levinson 20.5 monos - Time for a Refurb?

I bought my Mark Levinson 20.5 pure class A mono blocks new in 1990. I loved them for their sound and still do. They have been 100% reliable and I have never had them back to the Levinson or my dealer for anything.

However, they are 16 years old now and except for my Magnum Dynalab tuner, they are the only thing I have not replaced in my system.

Being pure class A amps they run pretty hot.

Question is, is it time I should consider having them checked out, refurbished, capacitors and the like replaced, etc?

If so, who should I consider for this work? Levinson? They are not what they used to be when they designed and made these amps, and I'm not sure they are up to the same quality work they did back then or whether I should trust that their parts will be as good as the original. Someone else? But who?

Has anyone been through this or does anyone have any thoughts about this they can share with me?
cipherjuris

Showing 7 responses by nsgarch

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Talk to this guy:

http://www.highendaudiorepair.com/

or

http://www.nyaudiorepair.com/

(same fellow)
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Joe, you might want to check/clean/replace the 2 fuses on your amp first. They are sometimes a source of noise after many years -- not really bad, but dirty or marginal. Ditto your signal connections (at both ends.)

.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Ed, If you like the way the Sophias sound w/ the ML 20.5s, you're not going to find better ss amps for anywhere near $8K, which is what the 20.5 + refurb. at ML would be worth max. Unless you want to buy a used pair of ML 33Hs for ~$10K, or maybe a DarTZeel for what? $30K?

So I say door #1. Have it done right at ML, before they lose THEIR service manuals. They'll really go over them with a FTC, and probably replace a lot of little parts too. You'll get a limited warranty on the new parts, I believe. And I think they're better than most on meeting their time estimates. Also you might ask them if, while they're at it, they'd install some proper 5-way speaker binding posts and replace the Camac inputs w/ RCAs! A lot of 20.5 owners have had this done (although I don't know if it was done at ML.)
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Joe, from your further explanation, it might not be your amp (or any other component) at all. First thing I would do is swap the signal leads to your amp and If the "noise" stays on the same speaker, then it's the amp -- but not necessarily something wrong in the amp! -- it could still be powerline noise. So get a really stout (12AWG preferably 10 AWG) shop type extension cord (just long enough to reach you EP-15A -- fabulous unit BTW) and plug your amp into it. You'll know right away if it's something actually IN the amp, or lotsa line noise (which interestingly enough, can sometimes manifest in only one channel ;--)

.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Are you going to keep them both?
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Shut up Herman!! ;--)
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Ed, I believe that would be 'tube' (singular), no? Do you know if there's somewhere Mr. Lamm explains the technical reasons for this particular design decision? I've always been curious about that.
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