Power amplifier longevity… thoughts?

@devinplombier I appreciate the advice. Pass Labs uses a current limiting supply. I don't have one of those and they are pricy. I might try using an ac variac with a series of increased wattage incandescent bulbs in series with the line cord. 

@audiofilo123 I recommend the following amplifier brands;

- Bryston 4B Series

- Rotel

- HEGEL

- Luxman integrated

I’m sure there are other good/reliable amps out there, but I’m sharing the brands that I own/owned in my systems.

I bought the Bryston 4B SST in the early 2000’s and sold it to my buddy a few years ago and I never had a problem with it and my buddy loves it.

I bought a 5-channel Rotel amplifier in the early 2000’s for my surround sound setup and I still have it. It’s a reliable unit that’ I’ve never had a problem with!

I currently own a HEGEL H160 integrated in my second system and it’s a really nice unit that cost me under $2k from The Music Room a few years ago.

The mighty Luxman L-509x integrated was a glorious piece of equipment that I bought new for my main system a few years ago. It’s still over the budget that you mentioned in the used market, but you could try to find one of the lesser expensive models that has the wattage you need for the Maggie’s. Luxman is the real deal. I sold it to go back to separates, then I recently moved back to an integrated for my main system. I wish I kept the Luxman, but it was too expensive to use in my second system, so I sold it to use the money for the main system upgrade.

Godspeed to you!

I have an Onix & Soap I purchased in 1987 and a Mac MC250 c. 1980 that work and sound perfectly fine.

I'm about in the same boat.  My MMGs are fed by a B&K EX-442 Sonata w/Toshiba cans that is early 90s ('90 - '93, not sure which year).  No issues whatsoever with sound or performance, but I've been preparing myself to ship it to John Hillig at Musical Concepts/Musical Design to have it refreshed with one of his B&K mods.  Probably do it when I head down to Florida this winter, as I won't be needing it for a few months while gone.   

audiofilo123

I personally would not buy a 20 year old amplifier, for various reasons that I do not know the provenance, and would expect some repair expenses......but I must admit that I've never owned any planar speaker.

I am not against used by any means, but I'd be more apt to buy something newer (even used): Hegel H20 (130 amps), CODA, Pass Labs, or Sanders

I have owned and used my Proceed HPA-2 for 6 years.  Mark Levinson designed dual monoaural beast that can go 500w/4 ohms.  My Time Frame 2000s are 8-4 ohms, 92 db sensitivity and rated to 1000w.

When I owned a bigger house I enjoyed turning up the music past local listenability and do things around the house including electric mowing the lawn.  Unleashing the latent dynamism of my system always made me (and it) smile.  My point is I have driven this amp well past normal use for a long time.

As I understand one of the hallmarks of a Levinson design was all discrete components.  I suspect many of the older amps discussed here are of the same design philosophy.  Relatively easy to troubleshoot and repair. As far as I can tell my output transistors are still made.

I suspect most amp candidates here are massively overbuilt for most use.  I know mine is.  Most any machine is killed more by frequent start stop than actual use.  The preamp end of this amp is always powered as indicated by a separate light on the very sparse panel.

These amps are still around for 1200-1500.  I worry WAY more about something giving out on one of my TFs than my amp.

Although I'm not a HT guy the fact that a HPA-3, tri monoaural amp with the same power is available for folks that like all channels powered the same.

It's great to have choices!