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Older Electronics - When to cut bait? Your thoughts?

Hi - I am looking for your collective insight and advice.  I have a Conrad Johnson PFR preamp and MF2250 amp from the early 2000's.  Ironically, I purchased them because of their CJ tube sound AND yet they were more "maintenance free solid state" vs tubes.  Well, here I am approximately 20 years later and I repaired my PFR preamp for approx. $600 two years ago and my MF2250 just went out.

My question is, at what point is it prudent to cut bait and give up on older electronics before they become a money pit?  In the back of my mind I wonder when the PFR will go out again with some other problem and I am looking at another $600 repair.....by then I would be in it for $1,200 of repairs and that is a good chunk towards a newer model.....PrimaLuna for instance.  I am now very fine with tubes as it seems easier and less costly to replace tubes and I really a warm full sound.

For context, I love(!) the sound of the two units although I expect the same, if not better, can be had for a few grand each with lower risk of repair in the next 15+ years... Again, like a PrimaLuna.

Lastly, I know there is not a hard and fast rule here and the answer is subjectively unique for everyone although, I expect some of you have been down this road before so I would love to get your thought process and logic.  Your personal experiences can help inform my thinking as I ponder what to do.

THANK YOU!  Dave

For added context, although I am not sure it matters, I have:
-JanZen Valentia speakers
-McIntosh CD player, MCD205
-Linn LP12 will just about all the upgrades....money pit here:)
-PS Audio DirectStream DAC
-Moon Audio, Silver Dragon interconnects
-Whatever speaker cables....someday will get something else
butterman

Showing 2 responses by timlub

timlub
2,043 posts
 
I've been in or around this system for 40 years.... Some old systems are as satisfying as the best today.  
I have extensive knowledge in speaker building and through this forum, I found that my knowledge of amp/pre's is lacking as far as design and circuit design.  I decided to learn.  Over the last year to 18 months,  I have purchased old amps, some not working,  a classic or two that did work that I thought that I'd rebuild.  
After a refurbish with quality parts,  these amps across the board are excellent. The last 2 that I rebuilt,  I'll probably sell here on Agon, but they will stand up to today's products and I have no doubt will live for a Long Long Time. Your gear is nice sounding stuff.... Look around on this forum,  you'll read a hundred times if not a thousand
 "I wish that I never sold it".   If the itch is there to replace it... So be it,  I'm not telling you to keep it no matter what,  I am saying that well designed gear of yesteryear,  properly refurbished can be VERY satisfying gear and what a shame to just dismiss how good it is because of the latest and greatest,  which isn't always better. 
I hope this helps, Tim 
timlub
2,043 posts
 
@mijostyn
Well, I’ve been building speakers for decades (40 Years)... I’ve kept up with any new technologies as well as expanded my knowledge as time went on.... The amplifiers however are a different story. In the past, I’ve done very basic parts changes only. Recently, I’ve just wanted to learn. I fixed an old adcom, I fixed a Thule Audio, I then purchased an old heathkit AA-1600, completely rebuilt the boards and power supply, WOW, What an improvement, nice. I then grabbed a Kinergetics Pure Class A KBA-75. This amp worked when I got it. Cleaned it up, Fan was crazy noisy, replaced the fan and bad power switch, but To my surprise, when I opened it. All the electrolytic EXCEPT in the power supply have been replaced in the last few years. I did only a few parts changes on the boards, then dramatically upgraded the power supply caps. This amp sounded decent before the work, but another WOW, bass hit deeper, faster, sounds stage and imaging dramatically improved. Yes, I did it myself, that wasn’t the point. I was saying that some of this older gear after repair will stand against some top notch gear of today. I’ll probably sell this awesome kinergetics soon to make way for my projects, someone will get an amp cheap that will compete with mega buck amps of today. I suspect with proper reconditioning, the op will have a similar story with his CJ.
Also,  you gotta love people like Ralph at atma-sphere that will keep your old gear running a updated affordably. 
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