wow, never thought about replacing old capacitors. Is that an issue that will effect SQ? |
Go with the MA7900 I had a 6900 and a MA 7900 the sound quality is much better. |
I bought a used MA6500 a few months back from Audio Classics. I have no idea where that would be compared to the 6900. Make sure the amp has the autotransformers as those are reason for the full and lush McIntosh sound. |
I have a 16 year old Redgum integrated and for the last five years that I've had it the sound is exactly the same. Well, that was wrong, the sound is better because of upgrades in other parts of the system. I am going to send it to Australia for a check-up and to replace the input selector switch that the previous owner played too much with. I expect it to last trouble free for another 7-10 years.
I don't know McIntosh, but if 7900 sounds better and you can manage extra $800, that would probably be the preferrable choice. Unless for whatever reasons you want the 6900, of course.
I also have 18 year old Audiolab integrated that I no longer use, just play it for a few hours every year, the rest of the time it spends in the closet. |
I just bought a 14 year old Portal Panache (I had one some years ago) and it sounds great... |
Go for it! 12 years old it should be fine! |
Amplifier design has matured a long time ago, so new is not necessarily better. I have three power amplifiers. A Quad 303 from 1970, a Quad 405-2 from about 1992 and a Quad 606-2 from a bit later again. All sound absolutely fine, even if the bigger power output of the later models gives a cleaner sound with more dynamic music. And all have been completely refurbished. The important components here are the large electrolythic capacitors. These do degrade with time, and that can make for a slightly less dynamic perfomance. Most importantly, however, if they fail you may have an expensive disaster on your hands. So I would insist that these are replaced. Doing so every 10-15 years is good practice.
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No. Aging caps is a serious problem especially recently where manufacturing moved from Japan to China. |
Bryston b135sst2 (if you can find one). 20 year warranty. Need I say more. |
Yes especially from a top brand. I could rebuild it
WITH MUCH HIGHER QUALITY PSRTS. |
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12-15 years isn’t old by any means. 20-25 years before you even need to thing of caps and even then most will go for another 10 or more. Just had a sansui tuner totally rebuilt caps and selected parts upgraded cost me $500 parts and a good tech many hours listening. So don’t frown away from a 12 year old amp unless you can get better for similar price |
Just found out it was sold new in 2008, so I'm feeling better. |
I can't comment on how well this product will perform after 12 years of use. I do think there have been a lot of improvements in amplifiers in the last decade. My guess is that you can buy an newer amplifier for the same price that will sound better.
I don't blame you for not wanting to buy new gear, so please don't call me.
Jim
Dealer of the month.....
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If it's a Krell, a Mark Levinson, a Simaudio Moon, or a Bryston, I probably would.
If it's anything made in China or Japan (unless it's an insanely good design)?
No.
--Charles-- |
Yes, As long as it is well taken care of. Meaning being checked out by tech. I have in case been using a 28 yr. old Nakamichi TA4A. It is in ultra mint condition passed down from my father. I did have a tech go through it and change some capacitors, but none were really defective he said. It is a fantastic integrated as my father kept it in one place covered while not in use never moved for 26 yrs. The tech said the inside was impeccable. In fact I use a cdc4a,a Cr4a- Cd and tape player along with a Linn Sondek12 almost everyday. All are 28 yrs old. I did have a tech go through all of them. He changed a total of 24 capacitors and checked every one from head to toe. I also got my turntable reset up all new springs new capacitors and new cartridge. I am very pleased with what I got. I never had high quality gear always cheap home theater stuff. To say there was a difference was night and day. I didn't know that music through electronics could sound like that. Even my wife was surprised. That said I would say go for it and enjoy life. |
Does this prove a point. ............apparently there has been no improvements in the sound even after 14 years, of major brands.
Brands that are constantly creating new models, they market as sounding "so much better then the previous version".
Are they are lying to us?
Regards
Jim
Dealer of the decade.
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Dhpeck, I have no problem purchasing used equipment and do so often. I generally like the components to be less than 10 years old, thinking this provides greatest usage time and thus return on investment.
Now I must admit that have limited exposure to many of the available amplifiers of the time period under discussion, therefore my opinion is suspect. However, I have a hard time believing that an preamp, amp, or integrated costing 'X" today will out-perform one costing 2-3X made 10-15 years ago? ( Class D amps may be an exception.) I believe the coefficient to X to be valid referring to new vs used pricing on components of that age. One must also remember that 'X' today is worth less than that of years past.
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Would I buy a 12 to 14 year old integrated,
If it was made by Gryphon you bet I would because it would still trounce most of today's integrateds.
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Problem with used Gryphons is that you can almost always find them only in Europe. I saw a few previous generation Diablo for around $5k with phono stage - incredible bargain. I guess, you can run them with high quality step up transformer, or have Gryphon change the voltage. I would first try the transformer. Gryphon uses military grade parts, I wouldn't worry about the age of Gryphon if it is, say, under 25 years, and might take a risk even if over it. With some service, once or twice, Gryphons should last a lifetime. |
