2. amps-preamps
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Is there an average life span for a preamp?

I have a 6 year old Adcom GFP-750 preamp that has been used for about 12,000 hours already. Is there a certain point in hours or years when I can expect something to fail? This particular preamp has a passive option which I like and use currently. When used pasively I would thing that it should last forever.Please let me know what experiences you have had. Thanks.

Joe
jjarocki
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
The main limitation is the life of the filter capacitors in the power supply. These days the half life of them is about 20 years (IOW- in 20 years half of them will have failed).

Of course many units will run longer than that but its a safe bet that if the filter caps are changed out they will sound instantly better!
orpheus10
5,988 posts
 
When your pre or amp no longer has the sparkle, it's probably the caps. I just changed some 15 year old caps, and that prvented me from buying a new pre.
nickjn
111 posts
 
I have seen pre's from the late 70's and still sounding good...it depends on how you treat them.
inna
5,245 posts
 
How do I treat the capacitors well besides providing enough space for ventilation? Do I talk to them and say that they are good boys and girls? Any suggestions?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Filter capacitors will hold up better if they continue to get used on a regular basis. However they will still degrade. Any piece that is over 20 years old should be considered suspect. It may well still work, but that is not the same as saying that it is working as well as it should.
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