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 mike4597

In 1979, I purchased a McIntosh MC2120 power amp for $800, if I recall correctly, from which I graduated to Odyssey monobloc amps in early 2024.  The 2120 was in use the entire 45 years, less one month in the early 2000s for a refurb, which included an LED, capacitors, and other minor parts replacements, which cost me about half of the original purchase price.  The amplifier performed superbly, and I upgraded because I realized that I would better sound with more power for the speakers, and I actually considered seeking another MC2120 to bi-amp the speakers, but I was convinced to purchase more powerful monobloc amps.  With appropriate care, SS amps can serve a long time quite well.