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Older Electronics - When to cut bait? Your thoughts?

Hi - I am looking for your collective insight and advice.  I have a Conrad Johnson PFR preamp and MF2250 amp from the early 2000's.  Ironically, I purchased them because of their CJ tube sound AND yet they were more "maintenance free solid state" vs tubes.  Well, here I am approximately 20 years later and I repaired my PFR preamp for approx. $600 two years ago and my MF2250 just went out.

My question is, at what point is it prudent to cut bait and give up on older electronics before they become a money pit?  In the back of my mind I wonder when the PFR will go out again with some other problem and I am looking at another $600 repair.....by then I would be in it for $1,200 of repairs and that is a good chunk towards a newer model.....PrimaLuna for instance.  I am now very fine with tubes as it seems easier and less costly to replace tubes and I really a warm full sound.

For context, I love(!) the sound of the two units although I expect the same, if not better, can be had for a few grand each with lower risk of repair in the next 15+ years... Again, like a PrimaLuna.

Lastly, I know there is not a hard and fast rule here and the answer is subjectively unique for everyone although, I expect some of you have been down this road before so I would love to get your thought process and logic.  Your personal experiences can help inform my thinking as I ponder what to do.

THANK YOU!  Dave

For added context, although I am not sure it matters, I have:
-JanZen Valentia speakers
-McIntosh CD player, MCD205
-Linn LP12 will just about all the upgrades....money pit here:)
-PS Audio DirectStream DAC
-Moon Audio, Silver Dragon interconnects
-Whatever speaker cables....someday will get something else
butterman
timlub
2,039 posts
 
I've been in or around this system for 40 years.... Some old systems are as satisfying as the best today.  
I have extensive knowledge in speaker building and through this forum, I found that my knowledge of amp/pre's is lacking as far as design and circuit design.  I decided to learn.  Over the last year to 18 months,  I have purchased old amps, some not working,  a classic or two that did work that I thought that I'd rebuild.  
After a refurbish with quality parts,  these amps across the board are excellent. The last 2 that I rebuilt,  I'll probably sell here on Agon, but they will stand up to today's products and I have no doubt will live for a Long Long Time. Your gear is nice sounding stuff.... Look around on this forum,  you'll read a hundred times if not a thousand
 "I wish that I never sold it".   If the itch is there to replace it... So be it,  I'm not telling you to keep it no matter what,  I am saying that well designed gear of yesteryear,  properly refurbished can be VERY satisfying gear and what a shame to just dismiss how good it is because of the latest and greatest,  which isn't always better. 
I hope this helps, Tim 
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
The rule is its totally up to you.   If you like the old stuff still and can get it fixed affordable and reliably, then that is a good option.   Replacing is always also a good option but expect the results to be different.  That can often trigger a wave of subsequent changes and tweaks (time and money) as well in order to get the new system properly tuned in.  It all depends on you and your expectations and goals.
butterman OP
10 posts
 
Thank you Tim.  I think either way, I will fix the amp if for nothing else it sounded great and I can buy listening time as I shop.....or I will just keep it.  Thx
kellyofmb
3 posts
 
I bought a pair of vintage active two way speakers two years ago and have tried to coax them back to near original state. They’ve been in the shop multiple times. I thought I was close when one of the four amps started humming and then shorted out with a loud bang. I wondered if they could be salvaged in some way and now have a DIY project using a passive crossover and external amp. I have the sound I like but not with the vintage electronics. Lesson learned, just as I was told in a local hi-fi shop that also advertises restoration of vintage equipment. The sales guy said repair costs by the hour would be out of sight! He said I should listen to new stuff. It would absolutely be better than what I have, no exceptions. I didn’t like to hear what he said but he probably was right.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
Getting old stuff fixed affordably and reliably (and correctly) can be a risky proposition.

Buying new from reliable sources is lowest risk.

If done right, its easily possible to take a step forward for less with newer gear. But its not a guarantee. It may take some time and money and changes to get it all just right again.

Like most things, it always depends.....

I had my old 80’s vintage NAD 7020 receiver, which was still in decent operating order and sounded great, within its limits,  serviced a couple years back by a reputable shop specializing in vintage repairs for reasonable cost. The work cost about $150 and lasted about a year then blew out totally.

I decided to replace it with the latest and greatest technology and for as little as possible. I bought a very modern $80 Class D integrated amp off Amazon. It is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Sounds different but probably way better overall, just in a different way.

This was a small secondary setup I use just occasionally for 2 channel A/V but still wanted good sound.
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