2. amps-preamps
  3. 195069-53619

Old SS amps

What are people's experiences with old SS amps. And I'm talking old like close to 20 years. I guess this can be called vintage(though to me it's yesterday.)

 

Either you bought it new and have had it that long or you bought it used.

Is buying it used a really bad idea even though it was owned by one person with no service issues? Like an old Pass.

I hear something about capacitators needing to be replaced. Should it be avoided like the plague? Am very interested in one but don't want to be stuck with a cat in a sack.

Thanks for any thoughts.

roxy1927

Showing 1 response by carlso63

carlso63
30 posts
 

I am running a pair of MacIntosh MC2100 SS Amplifiers that were built in the early to mid 1970s... one has been fully recapped; the other is (I believe) all original. They are fed by a PAS3 Tube Preamplifier that was built in 1968 I believe. The PAS3 has had a new power supply installed, and new tubes. Other than that I believe all the caps and transistors are original. 

Sound quality is pretty much identical from each amp. The only issue I have found is that the all-original amp runs a little warmer than the recapped unit. I will be recapping the original unit within the next few months, just to be on the safe side.

I think there is a certain 'charm' and sound quality to the vintage stuff that the modern units just don't have... but that is just my own opinion. I do think, objectively, that if you have a desire to run the vintage equipment you should try it. In reality, if you start by purchasing good quality brands that are still in good shape - you shouldn't run into anything that would be any more difficult to remedy than if you had an issue with a modern unit.

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