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 motown-l

motown-l
231 posts
 

I have purchased quite a few 20+ year old amps over the years, mostly for secondary systems or short term replacements for my main system. 

I suggest being open to considering even some mainstream brands. I had good fortune with a Rotel 980 BX power amp from the mid 1980's. On the other hand the, Rotel preamp had noticeable IF distortion.

I also found a dirt cheap Kenwood "Rack Amp" from the late 1980's. It has well regarded Nichicon transistor pairs, Elna filter caps and a quality ALPs motorized volume control. The MM phon section is also quite listenable.

 

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