Refurb GAS Grandson amp or put money towards another amp?


I’ve got a vintage GAS Grandson amp that I use in my Zone 2 system to drive a pair of Snell QBx monitors. The Grandson was a garage sale find about 30 years ago. I had some work done at the time before I put it in operation, but it was so long ago, I can’t remember what was done.

The Grandson is now having some issues. Significant distortion in the left channel and the left channel cuts out completely at times. My question now is it worth it to get the amp refurbished? Or am I better off spending the money on another used amp? If so, what would you recommend? How much would be a reasonable amount to invest refurbing the Grandson?

I’m one of many who have champagne tastes, but a beer budget, at best. I’m not looking for audio nirvana (given my finances), but want to get the best bang for the few bucks I do have to spend. I’m ballparking around $200, as I think I can find a Rotel amp or receiver for around that much. But would a Rotel be a step down as compared to a well-functioning Grandson?

Anyone familiar with the Grandson? From what I understand the Ampzilla was highly regarded in its day, and the Son of Ampzilla and the Grandson amps were well regarded, too, just not as high end.
Btw, my Grandson is the model with meters, though the lamps have been burned out for many years.
johnnyotto

Showing 3 responses by oldhvymec

James B. (RIP) Made some mighty fine amps. Mike Samra fixes all of them. If he is still fixing them.
It will cost 500.00-1000.00 usd. min. It's only worth it to you.. No big resale. BUT James B. made a mighty fine amp.. LOL

Are there better amps? NOT by some great margin.  

For the money today, the shipping would cost more than the amp is worth, yet James B. made some mighty fine amps... 

200.00 that's a pretty tight budget. You can do it.

I just did a complete system for 600.00 with reference sound... Cables, Amp, Headphone preamp, 4 speakers, Sony SACD, everything.

Ampzilla 2000, were killer amps.. I had a pair...Expensive too...

Regards
LOL Nick name was Pimp Daddy! Correct me if I'm wrong.. I saw him stand in with Brian C of the old VMPS and a few others at Brian's shop one night. Single malt, was the flavor of the evening, I passed...

They were all a fluster over the new, Ampzilla 2000s and VMPS Elixirs pairing at show.. CES.. a few years, back now...2008-10? Close..

Whole shop smelled of paint drying on the new cabinets fresh in from Doren Dibble.. Another different sort of guy...Yes the single malt was workin'.  I was there to pick up a pair of crossovers...

Regards..
If you could have met James B., you'd understand why.
One of the last Beatniks, but he was no hippy....

A friggin' genius when it came to his Amps.. Just different.. The names were just part of his way.  Great stuff if you got HIM to really put the JB touch on one or two of his production amps... Something to behold..

I've seen them run some pretty tough loads, and just WORK...

Regards