2. amps-preamps
  3. 1346025080

Accuphase P-300, worth upgrading?

I recently acquired an Accuphase P-300 power amp and my question is about rebuilding it. I haven't really listened to it yet, other than hooking it up to see if it worked and it seems fine. The amp is in mint condition but it is close to 40 years old so I am sure it needs serviced and I would like to upgrade it to sound as good as it can, if that is practical. If I were to refurbish this amp just how good can it be? What price range in a current amp would it compare to? I have $600 in the amp. Who would you send it to to bring it up to speed? Any thoughts or suggestions are very much appreciated.
wemfan
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
My advice is to use components as close as possible to authentic and NOT to try to upgrade if you want to keep with Accuphase sound which is already perfect.
Meanwhile enjoy your amp but not overload it at this point.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
Any change will alter the sound, it depends on what you think of the sound you are getting now. Try listening to it for a while before you do anything. The caps would be the place to start if you want to modify, stay with the same values you have now. Much better resistors are now available but again the sound will change.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,502 posts
 
Hi Wemfan

Here is one place I was considering to fix up the Accuphase gear I have.

They have listings on other sites.

Accuphase P-300

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwiBt1n4eUM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaYwerlJ-AA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s33nJSVNdw
clio09
2,978 posts
 
I believe Accutech in SoCal would be the best resource to restore the P-300. If I owned one that is where I would send it.
csontos
1,275 posts
 
The only way you will change the sound of your amp in rebuilding is by improving it. Especially an amp as old as yours. Components have come a long way since 40 years ago. The only limiting factor is the competence of the one doing the work. This amp is by no means "perfect" sounding at this age. Therefore you have no reference point anyway. I would recommend Roy A. Esposito of Sounds like New. He is one of the engineers who designed and built the Acoustat TNT 200. He's currently rebuilding a second 200 for me with a mono switch as with the first. The sound of the one I have is state of the art. It would probably run about 4-600.00
More to discover