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  3. 142606-137

Catastrophic Accident! What To Do!?

This actually happened during the holidays.  I'm having a hard time dealing with it.  I've owned my Music Reference RM9 amp for over 15 years.  While replacing a fuse, something I've done easily over 2 dz. times thru the yrs, The amp tipped over.  Long story short, the way the unit fell damaged/smashed most of the tubes (12 in total!).  Man, seriously, I practically feel like I've lost a member of my family!  I've been in contact with Roger Modjeski at Ram Labs and they've been 100% supportive even though I'm not the original owner.  But the dilemma is substantial, the amp can be repaired no doubt, but to transport it from S. Fl. to Ca., plus tube replacement, plus possible other repairs.  Not sure it makes dollas & sense.  The fact is I'm not the youngster I was when I 1st acquired the gear, plus being retired the money ain't what it used to be.  This accident has seriously got me considering whether I should continue with the hobby.  The gear, 1000's of records and CD's somehow, suddenly feels like a bit much.  I've been into the gear for 35+ yrs. but I've been a music-lover my entire life, I'll never stop listening....but maybe it's time to downsize?  Ram Labs has offered help in testing, and/or repairing, and even offered the alternative of selling the unit for parts.  Tremendous support!  I think I'd be able to sell it but I just can't bring myself to go down that road, not yet.  So into the 'spares' closet she goes, and since I don't have another amp, it's headphone time!  

Here's hoping y'all have a safe and incident-free New Year!
128x128chazro

Showing 1 response by larry5729

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larry5729
65 posts
 
I agree with highway 61.  There has got to have been issues with your amp for years if you have had to replace so many fuses.  This would have indicated problems after the second one went out.  There has got to be a short somewhere that has caused this.

I think it is time to replace it.  Perhaps buy a digital amp.  I found the Parasound Halo integrated amp to be incredible.  They cost about $2,500 and reproduce a lot of detail.  Maybe take out a home equity loan and pay it off in a year or two.  This might be your chance to upgrade into something much better.

I am not sure why people are in love with tube amplifiers.  They must sound warmer.  I also cannot understand why people want to listen to vinyl either.  CD's are able to sample a lot more information which in turn produces a lot more detail.  I think it sounds much crisper in the highs.  However, everyone enjoys sound differently.
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