Since you are blowing fuses, the amp is pulling a lot of current during warmup time. If the filte r capacitors are the cause, then the rectifier tube (if the amp has one) is being stressed an could be damaged. Certainly, replace the caps and the rectifier tube (probably beginns with a 5) if you have one. If the rectifier is solid state, it's proably OK. Happy listening.
life span/failure rate of filter capacitors?
(And I assume that the filter caps are the large electrolytic caps with the screw in terminals?)
The reason I am inquiring about this subject is that I stumbled on to an older thread started by someone who had a "filter cap explode" inside his 20 year old Cary V-12 monoblock. (Which is basically what I have, only mine is a single stereo amp.)
Anyway, I do know the specs on those large caps with the screw in terminals which I am thinking are aka filter caps are 560uf 400v.
Do these normally give any kind of warning before they let go? It does occasionally blow the 3A SB AC power fuse on start up.
TIA for any information/advice on this subject.