How long should amps go for?

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by 1KW

Good information. I don't think there has been any deleterious effects on the sound but rather they seem to still be sounding excellent. What Serge says however makes a lot of sense regarding the life span of capacitors. I have never been able to make these amps. feel more than slightly warm not hot. I have to agree with Ivan, it must me his handles

I don't know if Ivan's handles are what's keeping my MC501's together, but I do know they sound better with them!

[1KW]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

I don't know if Ivan's handles are what's keeping my MC501's together, but I do know they sound better with them!

They certainly look better

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by 1KW

My Mcintosh 501’s are now 9 years old and still sound and look fantastic

as they should !! given your age I'm not sure what will age better.......your amps or your ears ! I'll bet on the former ........

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

I don't know if Ivan's handles are what's keeping my MC501's together, but I do know they sound better with them!

The added weight helps stabilize them on the shelf and inhibits unwanted vibrations.

I hadn't thought about the lifespan of my 501s, only about my likely inability to manage them physically as I get older, even to the point of contemplating selling them off to get something lighter. I once heard speakers being called "turtles" due to their long lifespans; I tend to put amps in that category. There are no moving parts unlike speakers, and my previous amps (B&K monos) were still working when I sold them after 17 years.

My system doesn't get a lot of work these days because of my schedule and responsibilities, I don't blast it, move it unnecessarily, nor abuse it (I could stand to dust more often, though). Unless something is brewing I don't know about, the 501s could well outlast me.

[FreddieFerric]

Part of the equation has to be how often you use them and how long you leave them on. Even if you use them heavily, I don't think 9 years is that much time at all. Bryston warrants their amps for 20 years. Despite the warranty difference, I'd say Mac's amps are as solidly built.

[PHC1]

Electrolytic capacitors do go bad when not used and have a shelf life. That’s why the variac is used to slowly bring up the voltage and form the capacitors that have been sitting for for a very long time as in the vintage gear so they don’t explode when plugged in.

[62caddy]

Main caps are still original to all my McIntosh SS amplifiers which are all around 40+ years of age.

Every one of has been to Audio Classics for one reason or another and have always asked about replacing the caps and the answer I got was there is no need. All four units exceed spec by the margins typical for McIntosh equipment.

Agreed with the others - nine year old caps is next to nothing in a McIntosh amplifier and they should be good to go for decades to come.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by 62caddy

Main caps are still original to all my McIntosh SS amplifiers which are all around 40+ years of age.

Every one of has been to Audio Classics for one reason or another and have always asked about replacing the caps and the answer I got was there is no need. All four units exceed spec by the margins typical for McIntosh equipment.

Agreed with the others - nine year old caps is next to nothing in a McIntosh amplifier and they should be good to go for decades to come.

Does your vintage gear see play time regularly? It’s better to use the gear and keep the caps formed than it sitting unplugged of course.

If one looks at the schematics of vintage gear vs new, one will quickly realize the sheer amount of components is quite different. Good luck with getting all the caps replaced on modern gear in the future, I can’t imagine it would be cost efficient or feasible. It is what it is, buy, enjoy, don’t sweat it.

[PHC1]

I don’t know how it was in the past with McIntosh, if some units were DOA back in the day, can’t imagine that was the case but we are seeing it today with increasing frequency. Not just McIntosh, happens with other brands but it is pretty obvious that the more complex the gear gets, the more odds of something failing statistically speaking.

[1KW]

Serge you have to stop by, between the addition of the D1100 and Strads. the 501’s never sounded better definitely not a weak link . Love the Strads with these amps