2. amps-preamps
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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 k600r

k600r
33 posts
 

I have quite a few vintage or old amps that I use every day. In my living room system I have a Thredhold S200 class A amp running through an Audio Resesrch SP1 preamp into Wilson Watt/ Puppies.

    The Threshold I got was a one owner who had it serviced before I bought it, new caps,etc.. It works and sound very nice. I also have a Krell KSA 150 which I bought after it was serviced by the previous owner. It’s my main amp in my dedicated system and I will never part with it. 
  Some older gear is just as nice sounding as newer stuff, maybe not as low a noise floor and the cosmetics might not be up to snuff for the wife but I wholeheartedly believe you can get some excellent equipment at good prices that will last another 20 years.

   Then at that age they probably would be collector items and fetch a good price on the market. Don’t be afraid to take the plunge and buy vintage gear if it’s been properly maintained. I haven’t regretted one purchase yet and I have a ton of vintage gear.

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