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should I buy this tube amp?

There is a Unison research simply 845 for sale at a crazy good price, but it has been in storage for the last 2 years. It was hardly used after purchase and has been in temperature controlled storage since. The amp works but there is a distinct hum from the transformer and crackling/ popping sound from one of the channels. Switching the tubes from left to right will change the crackling sound to the other side as well. I assume changing out the tubes will take care of the problem. Other  Questions: 

Does prolonged storage (2-4 years) cause any kind of damage to capacitors? Perhaps cause them to dry out? 
Can any other components be affected by prolonged storage? 
what other important information do I need to ask about a tube amp prior to purchase? 
ei001h

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The crackling is just tubes. If the transformer itself is physically humming that is probably DC offset and will go away with a clean power source (no DC offset). Dry room temp storage not only does no damage, its the on/off temperature cycles that cause the most wear so storage is better than daily use as far as that goes. 

I buy to get good sound, never to get a good deal. So you just have to ask enough questions to decide if it will be worth living with even if the hum remains. 
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