User Error Disaster

Due to 100% user error, involving testing and shorting out a transformer on a preamp while it was plugged into my two amps, a second preamp, and CD player, I sent 120 volts through the entire patch cold array.  No one wanted to repair anything, because the amp/preamp designer/maker never released any repair info or drawings.  Luckily, I found the trick.  Find out who does warranty repairs for companies like McIntosh in your area.  It is probably an old man in a garage, or a small repair shop, with a son up front and the old man in the back,  but this warranty guy will know everything needed to test and repair it.  This has worked in Tennessee and Florida (My Bad!!!)  for me.  Thanks long time sales guy Greg in Knoxville, and Chris at Audio Advisors in WPB, FL for the leads. 

I've got an EX442 Sonata that is long in the tooth, but I simply love it.  I expect I'll do the same as you when it starts going:  fix it.  John Hillig (Musical Concepts) modded the Hafler DH220 I've got in my office, so I expect I'd send my B&K to him.  It's in mint condition and looks good in the living room, so.........there you go.  

It pairs up too well with my MMGs to roll the dice on chasing the sound through a different amp when I'm perfectly content with the current setup.

I'll second the Fort Worth Audio suggestion.  They'll take care of you.

I'd like to thank everyone for their interest and help with this. With the help of another user I was able to locate a documented, refurbished and tested ST-202 for a very reasonable price. I'm planning on plugging that in place until I can locate some place local that can check out and fully repair my Sonata 202+ hopefully getting it back close to factory specs. And thanks to those who provided non-local repair shops as well.

You may wonder why I might be willing to spend $600 to refurb a nearly 30 year old amplifier. Some of you already know. You cannot find a modern $600 amp that can perform as well as this one. Pretty simple. Sure, if I was in the market for multiple new components, looking at a $2000 integrated amp might make sense. I appreciate the comments about needing to move into the 21st century. Thanks, I think we all got there whether we wanted to or not. And once my Sonata 202+ is repaired/restored, I have a fine amp to form the basis of a smaller system in a different room with the ST-202 I just bought.

Sometimes it just comes down to not overthinking things. I have an excellent temporary replacement until I can get mine fixed properly. Again, thanks everyone for your help and opinions. They were all valuable in their own way :)

j

I'll second the sugden a21se, fantastic integrated for the money. Once you hear pure class A its hard to go back. Paired with some tannoys is blissful. 

Hello,
I appreciate you wanting to fix this Component instead of dumping it. There is a repair shop in Woodridge, IL called Deltronics. They are very good at what they do. https://www.deltronics.com/
They tripled the store in Woodridge and closed the Chicago location to get it all in one location. They have been doing business since 1984. I hope this helps. 

Sorry, just noted your (expanded) response and see the $500-700 price range.  Rega integrated used will still get you there.  Yes, I would still leave the Sonata behind unless you must have the MC preamp section I seem to remember.

Sugden A21SE will bring you into this century, best by miles your current setup (I’ve owned this vintage of BK) and leave behind any upcoming repair issues.  Things simply wear out with nearly 30 years of use.  Be happy for some much enjoyment from BK.

If that does not fit your pocketbook, its smaller brother is quite good.  Or, even a Rega integrated.  Best of luck.

You blew up your amp?  I think you did yourself a favor.  It's time to upgrade dude - hah!  You wouldn't wear shirts that old would you?  As for what to get, NAD, Schiit, PS Audio, Anthem, and a whole host of goodies are out there.  How about a DIY Nelson Pass Amp, the First Watt stuff, that'd is some cool stuff right there.  

First, let me thank EVERYONE who has replied via email or on here. It's all valuable information. One of the main drags about the 21st is the place I used to haunt that could fix it, Hillcrest Hi Fidelity, is long gone. I saw someone mention Audio Electronics in Dallas. I haven't heard of it unless you mean Audio Concepts. I wasn't aware they did their own repair work.

dougthebiker....I've never heard of Ft. Worth Audio. I assume they have a phone number or website so I'll look them up.

I am aware a lot has changed since 1993, thanks. A few of those things are my age ( 56 ) and subsequent hearing loss from attending over 250 live concerts. I seriously doubt I could hear the sparkly phrases like "deep soundstage" and other phrases that everyone OOOO's and Ahhhh's over with my current hearing.

Another thing that's changed over that time is budget. I could walk out and spend 5 grand on a new amp right now but that's a needless waste which I explained above.

So, let me rephrase the question. Is there a $500-$700 new amp that would fit in there that I can walk into a store and buy or ( thanks for the two examples above ) a local repair shop that I will lug it over to close to me? Hillcrest used to do this stuff with no problem but they are long gone. I'm thinking  of checking out the local places for repair costs or if people know a new, better amp I can buy immediately, give me some names and models. And thanks everyone for your help ;)

Fort Worth Audio is a repair shop that has fixed some VERY expensive components for me.

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 owned B&K a long while back. Great sounding amp, really loved the sound. But it lost a channel and I didn’t feel it was worth fixing back 10+ years ago. Obviously I would be even more inclined not getting it fix today. I’d suggest you save up and spend the money on newer equipment. A lot has changed. 

In my opinion it's a decent amp. I would look into the upgrade kit mentioned by one Agoner. There's one on ebay now, but it's sold as is for parts and not guaranteed to work  Very Rare B&K Components Ltd. EX 442 Power Amplifier Top Quality Stereo Item | eBay. Depends how much $$ you want to spend to fix or replace. 200 watts/channel is no slouch, with dual independent toroid power transformers and filter caps, from what I saw.

https://us.v-cdn.net/5021930/uploads/editor/f1/uf4ck5l4rioj.gif
Here is the schematic..



You could try metzger vintage audio in plano, but honestly you will probably spend more than it’s worth. I have an assortment of vintage amps if you wanna try something new just dm me

Buy another one on eBay for a few hundred!

Dump it move on it is ancient history.

Probably just needs a new set of finals. I wouldn't put any time or money into an 18 year old $250 amp.

A combination of fatigue and laziness

We need to know more about this.

Have you tried Audio Electronics in Dallas?

Would you mind telling me which integrated tube Amp you went with? Also, I have been out of the game for a long time now so is "Musical Designs/Concepts" a repair place for vintage stuff? Thanks!

Musical designs/concepts had mod kits for my B&K EX442.  I was considering sending them my amp and B&K preamp, but ended up getting an integrate tube amp