It’s a personal choice. I have a Carver M1.0 out for an overhaul & upgrade. FedEx lost track of it for a week and tried to bill me $90 two weeks after I calculated and paid $75... "Special handling charge, whatever that is.) Not paying this BS unless I have no choice. I had no idea shipping from AZ to MI might cost me $180 on top of the $450 for the work, which is more than the amp’s original price. (Not when adjusted for inflation, but shipping costs are outrageous IMO.)
I decided to stick with this amp because I’m the original owner, it’s in perfect condition and I feel like it's an underappreciated gem that drives my Maggies beautifully. The upgrade will take it from 200 to 400+ watts and promises improved SQ over what was a sweet sounding amp. I didn’t feel I could get anywhere near the same performance (especially for driving Maggies) for the same investment. So, sometimes it’s worth it, especially if you don't want to get back on the merry-go-round. You need to also consider the costs and headaches of shipping (if you can’t deliver yourself), and the nail biting of knowing a piece you’re attached to is banging around on a journey to who knows where though. Packing is a big hassle too.
I decided to stick with this amp because I’m the original owner, it’s in perfect condition and I feel like it's an underappreciated gem that drives my Maggies beautifully. The upgrade will take it from 200 to 400+ watts and promises improved SQ over what was a sweet sounding amp. I didn’t feel I could get anywhere near the same performance (especially for driving Maggies) for the same investment. So, sometimes it’s worth it, especially if you don't want to get back on the merry-go-round. You need to also consider the costs and headaches of shipping (if you can’t deliver yourself), and the nail biting of knowing a piece you’re attached to is banging around on a journey to who knows where though. Packing is a big hassle too.