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To repair, rebuild, or toss?

I have a Rotel RB 1080 amplifier which I used to power golden ear Triton one speakers.  I had the amplifier repaired once before, It needed replacement of a capacitor in the right channel. Now there is asymmetric output with respect to the right and left channel. I received a quote to repair the issue for $300 or rebuild the amplifier for $600. The question is, should I repair or rebuild the amplifier? The rebuild option entails a visual inspection and replacement of parts that look like they need to be replaced., I’m a newbie at this game, so I’m not sure what else is out there. Would the money be better off spent on a new amp, if so, which one?
 

Thank you for your input.

amplifier11
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,446 posts
 

@amplifier11,

Trash the Rotel. Get a pair of Schiit Tyr mono amps $1599 each and a Schiit Kara F preamp $799. 😎

Mike

devinplombier
1,671 posts
 

I’m not exactly a fan of Rotel, but to be fair the RB-1080 was a perfectly decent amp. Wish the same could be said about your tech though:

The rebuild option entails a visual inspection and replacement of parts that look like they need to be replaced.

That’s got to be the most ridiculous thing heard on Audiogon the entire week... And heavens know that’s a high bar 😂😂🤣

For reference, a real rebuild involves at minimum replacing all electrolytic capacitors with quality name-brand ones, thoroughly verify all factory reference values per service manual and investigating / resolving any discrepancies, inspecting, testing and replacing any components found defective or off-tolerance, and finally performing a listening test.

 

devinplombier
1,671 posts
 

Oh, and if you’re serious about tossing it, I’ll gladly take it off your hands and restore it to its former glory. I’ll pay for freight!

bigkidz
3,504 posts
 

Depending on what the $600 gets you.  V-Caps, Audio Note non-magnetic resistors?  If those parts are going in then upgrade the unit.  But if it is only installing basic parts brands then no.  We upgrade audio components old and new every day with fantastic results.  Usually much better than what you can purchase as new gear.  Most gear does not have the parts I mentioned inside.  Those who recommend trashing the Rotel have never had anything upgraded with these parts so they have no idea what the sound improvement is.

Happy Listening

 

corelli
1,170 posts
 

If you really loved the Rotel and it checked off on all the boxes you needed, then maybe a rebuild would be in order. It sounds like you are looking for an upgrade so I am not sure that is the case.  Suggest you move on.

As far as upgrading parts with premium caps, etc. not sure I would do that to 20 year old circuit boards/associated aged components.  Could be a big investment with limited duration return.  If it were a newer amp, component upgrades would make more sense to me.

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