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Amp repair cost — is this right?

I recently sent my Musical Fidelity a308cr power amp off to be recapped. This amp is somewhere around 16-18 years old and one of the power caps failed. I contacted Musical Fidelity and sent it to a repair shop they recommended. Today I received an estimate to replace 18 caps, 8 of which are large power caps, resolder the boards, and re-bias the transistors. Basically a full overhaul. The quote I received, including return shipping (prob around $100) Is over $1,300 which possibly exceeds the value of the amp. That doesn’t include the $115 it cost me to ship it out. Having never had an overhaul done on a power amp like this, I’m wondering if anyone with experience can tell me if this sounds right. I guess I was expecting something more like $600-$800 but I don’t know why since I really don’t have a frame of reference. Perhaps it was the assumption it might be 4 hours labor (say $400) plus max $200 for caps. Is $1,300+ on track? Either way I’m going to be out the shipping cost plus a $160 fee paid for the estimate.
jnehma1
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
@jnehma1 

whre are you located?
  I sent my amp to two places for different repairs. 
 Both were stellar!!!   One in Washington state, the other in Illinois.
Maybe their price would be better? Maybe?
Soundsclassic.com is in Illinois. North in Rockford.


How much do you like the amp is the question?

  I sent in my Sunfire Sig. to be checked, some caps were replaced, and other stuff, was checked, and he said he thought the amp was brand new, as there was no blackening or misuse, or any kind of wear associated with a used amp. Made me happy.
  Hoping to get 20 more years from this amp.
    I love the 1ohm posts, and the loose style of bass, which is a tube sound trait.  Such a good amp.


 Wh
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ucrazykid's avatar
ucrazykid
47 posts
 
Lots of comments here so I won’t try to add something that has already been said.
I just bought an A308CR power amp 4 months ago from an owner where it sat in the box unused for over a decade. It looks like new and hasn’t even a spec of dust inside the case. I paid $1350 shipped to me. The sound is wonderful an was a clear upgrade from my A3.2CR.
I say bite the bullet and have it fixed at the shop it is at now, listen to it and if it brings you joy, keep it. If you want to go another direction, I think you will come close to reselling it for what you paid on the repair listing it as a "refreshed", "recapped" or "upgraded"(if better caps are used) amplifier. Good luck to you from another Musical Fidelity lover.
This article may help you remember why you loved the A208CR so much. https://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=amp&n=195927&highlight=driver+24+bit&r=&am...

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