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Lifespan of amps and preamps?

Hello.  I have been listening to the same NAD 1240, Adcom GFA 535, and B&W dm 620s since I was 20 in 1990 (it was a big deal to buy all that as a 20 year old kid...).  Other than doing a thorough cleaning on the adcom a few years back when it stopped working, I have literally done nothing to these components. 

Are they totally dated, meaning past their intended lifespan from an internal component perspective?  I have to say it all still sounds really good to me.  But I never really listen to other systems.
Thank you for any input!
Scott.
cruxarche

Showing 2 responses by audite84

audite84
110 posts
 
Hi OP, 

I myself love vintage and old gear. I have a Scott 340b, laboriously restored last year. Good sound is good sound. I'd say if you are happy and want to keep your system, then do the necessary maintenance and enjoy your system. For another 20 years. 
audite84
110 posts
 
I agree. It takes passion to own vintage gear. As an example, a newly produced Scott 340b volume pot off ebay costs around $100.

To OP, if you want to keep your system, you should at least do a recap, which I think is now a must. And as I said, some other maintenance like cleaning, checking values of resistors and other components. By experience though, electrolytics are almost always the critical issue. 

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