what will be the best old CLASSIC amp to rebuild.


In my search for a HIFI sound i never found a power amp that let me think: this is it!!! Recently i buy a vintage power amp paid for rebuild and i'm NOT happy with is sound,it put deception on my heart same if he has only 70h of burn in... I do'nt ear the amp before to buy.

My humble question to the big Audiogon fan,will be what
is the best classic SS power amp to buy and rebuild under $1200.

I love dance, rock, classical any kind of music. I wish to
found a power amp that after the rebuild i will SAID OF MY
GOD WHAT A WONDERFULL POWER AMP...This is it!!!
meridian23

Showing 6 responses by meridian23

i will explain the question in other ways. I'm french and english is not my birth language. I search like i presume
every one of you a power amp that will satisfy my need for
a long period. i love high-end sound as i can ear every
micro difference on the sound. I buy a CM LABS 912 and
paid for rebuild one chanel has an hum and from now it not the sound i was looking for. The burn in is not yet completed.

I was thinking that if i buy a old power amp rebuild cap and
transistor it may be a good deal??? But i do'nt know from
my experience witch good classic power amp will be great
to rebuild. Do'nt want to go Rotel, Nad just want to have
something better. I need at least 100 RMS or 150 RMS 4 ohm.

Do you think a rebuild classic power amp will offer better
money return than a modern power amp??? $1200 is just a
budget reference as i know some power amp are very expensive. Hope it more clear...
thank you for your advise, i never considere the risk of
buying an old power amp and expect a great sound from
something i have never ear.Modern amp has the chance to be demo before buying same used.This advise is very wise.

I found a Emotiva XPA-3 power amp i will audition this week end.Some good review about this model.

I understand now that rebuild a power amp it when you have
a unit you love and want to keep and giving a new life to
your lovely old power amp. Audio is a mistery where advice
from other more experimented help us to achieve our dream
of enjoy the music...

I'm from Québec where the majority speak french.
I also agree that budget is not a concern when you want
the best of best. I have two Gibson SG 1970's one with
p-90 and other the luxe with PÄF and stereo output very
very rare. I just saw an other one SG like mine in stereo.

Nothing can compare a vintage instrument regarding the
sound quality same a custom shop at $3000 will not be able
to emulate a old wood vintage sound. In high end audio it
the same very high quality equipment can't be emulate you
have to paid for.And we paid for because we love music.

Thank again to share your experience.
This is a really great idea to restore the AR 3 but if i
have not yet consering this question is just because i
do'nt know who is qualify to made a great job on the AR 3
in my area... Some of the best AR specialist are in the USA.

Searching the right tech will be my priority to achieve
this goal. The power amp was redone by a tech and the right
chanel hum and the tweeter do'nt work anymore on my right
AR 3 speaker... Not a good experience.

Same if the AR 3 was my best score on thrift store as i
paid them only $10 for the pair now if they are broken
because of a tech i feel like i have not up grade my
system....
When i receive the CM LABS 912 rebuild it was a deception.
But after 350h he became a complete beast of power amp.

Bass and dynamic are now the part of the equation. I had
add Virtue Audio speaker cable and order Furutech binding
post and IEC receptacle gold plated. I also plan to change
the five fuse with AMR high-end fuse, so who tell that the
audio hobby is not exiting...
Delay,

i agree with you to refurbish the AR 3. From now
i'm searching a tech to do the job in my area.
Thank for your comment.