Does equipment get old?


I ask this question not in the metaphysical sense (that we get tired of it) or in the sense of equipment becoming technologically obsolete. Instead, I ask whether amplifiers and preamps (SS or tube but my particular case is tube) get so "old" that they no longer work the way they were meant to. This may sound silly (the other side of "breaking in" cables?) but can the physical implementation of circuits (solder joints, internal wire insulation, capacitors, etc - but not counting the fact that tubes ear out) get "too old"?

My gut says I'm fine (thinking about purchasing a 15yr old tube preamp) but I thought I'd check. Thanks, Travis
t_bone

Showing 1 response by kthomas

I read something the other day about Bryston amps with their famous 20-year transferable warranty. The guy from Bryston was describing the torture test they put each unit through before shipping, and was quoted as saying that they build them to last 50 years, that if properly designed there's no reason a quality amp shouldn't last that long.