2. amps-preamps
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Tubed preamps and Power amps- How old is too old???

I am currently using a Conrad Johnson Premiere LS17 preamp. This preamp was well regarded when it came out a bit over 20 years ago and list price was over $4000. It has probably seen 8000-10,000 hours of play time. The tubes are all Amperex that test and work fine.

To my ears, it sounds great. That being said, at what point either due to wear of internal parts and/or improved design, is it worth replacing? There is no doubt that things on the digital side of things have move quickly with respect to innovation and implementation but what about preamps and power amps, especially tube ones?

Any members, replaced aging tubed preamps and power amps and found it worthwhile assuming you stayed at a similar quality level? If you wanted to upgrade from my preamp, what would you consider? Budget of $7500 max. For reference, I use digital sources and an R2R Dac and Quicksilver Mid Mono Power Amps into reasonably efficient speakers. No phono section required or wanted.

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russbutton's avatar
russbutton
410 posts
 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Some of the best sound you'll ever hear in a preamp is a classic Mac C22.

I once heard a Fisher 400 CX-2 (The President) and was amazed at how good it sounded.

If you're worried about your C-J, take it to a good tech for a once over.  Hi-end audio of the month club is for crazies.
 

lucky_doggg7
115 posts
 

How old is too old...  As long as it sounds good to you, have the cash to fix it when it does go haywire, and I think the most important, having the original manufacturer repair the component.  Makers such as Audio research, Pass Labs, Lamm to name just a few, have goodies now 30+ years old, and they still service their equipment, so long as it hasn't been monkeyed with.  These companies' service departments are well known, friendly, low drama, and easy to work with. 

krelldreams
128 posts
 

I have a ~1964 HH Scott LK-150 tube amp that I rotate into my main system periodically… it sounds amazing. I bought, and subsequently sold, several “high profile” modern/current model amps because they didn’t sound better (overall) than the Scott. It has had a number of its old internal parts replaced, but it hasn’t been modified, so it’s essentially stock. My main speakers are Magnepan 3.7s used with a Speltz Zero to raise their impedance. The combination sounds beautiful. 

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,301 posts
 

Todays' wry comment:

Tube equipment fans have an edge on SS equipment.

It's a nice 'back-up' source of heat; every BTU might count for those not normally faced with single-digit temps day and negative ones at night.

Play loud and long, y'all. ;) 👍

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