MCM_Fan
AK Subscriber
I've been lusting after a Son Of Ampzilla for quite some time and managed to snag one locally last Saturday. It was a consignment item at a local dealer. He had just gotten it in and hadn't even hooked it up yet. So, I bought it without auditioning it. Probably not the smartest thing, but he gave me 7 days to listen to it in my home in my system (probably the best listening test anyway).
The amp was from an older collector who was liquidating his entire collection. It was a bit dusty, but otherwise in good cosmetic condition. Given the volume of gear from this collector the dealer was unpacking, I doubt if this amp has seen much use over it's ~35 year lifetime. After dusting it off, I'm satisfied with the physical appearance. Actually, I'm more than satisfied with the way it looks. It looks awesome in my rack with my Magnum Dynalab FT-101A tuner (love me some analog meters).
But, after a brief listening test, it's obvious it needs servicing. Nothing major, but when the volume is turned all the way down, there is noticeable noise in both channels, slightly more in the right than the left. It's not horrible, but it's loud enough to hear from the listening position and this is for my bedroom system where I'm used to silence coming from the speakers when there is nothing playing. I'm using it with the preamp section of my NAD 3150 integrated amp. When I use the NAD's internal amp, or a TPA3116 Class D amp I built, there is no sound emitting from the speakers when the volume is turned down, or when nothing is playing. The Son sounds good when playing music. So, I'm hopeful a recap will silence the noise I am hearing.
I suspect the meters also need re-calibrated and I'd like to get the bias checked. Is it OK if I mention what I paid for it here, or is that only allowed in Dollars and Sense? I thought about posting there, but what I'm really interested in is how much effort is involved in servicing this amp myself, or about how much it would cost to have it professionally serviced. I don't think I drastically overpaid, but since it was on consignment, the dealer would not budge on the price.
I believe I have the required skills to perform a recap on this amp, and with a little help from the guys in the lab at work, I could probably also re-calibrate the meters and even check and adjust the bias if necessary. Still, I did not buy this amp to have yet another DIY project on my table. I have several speaker recap and refoams in my queue, a set of speaker stands and system rack in planning and would probably not get to this amp until after the first of next year. Since the shop I bought it from has a service department and the amp clearly needs service, would it be appropriate to offer to pay for the parts if they will supply the labor to recap the amp, calibrate the meters and check/adjust the bias. I suppose it can't hurt to ask.
To be truthful, I am perfectly happy with the sound using the NAD 3150, but REALLY love the look of the Son of Ampzilla. I have no doubt the Son, will sound at least as good as the NAD after servicing, but it's not like I NEED the extra power in my bedroom system. More than anything, I was seduced by those big, beautiful meters. I have no problem admitting that. Of course, how it sounds is critical and the highest priority, but I also get a lot of enjoyment out of how my system looks. It's one of the first things I see when I wake up every morning. I'd love to hear how good this thing would sound after servicing, but I'm not sure if that's a wise investment of time/money.
So, what do you think? Should it stay, or should it go.
The amp was from an older collector who was liquidating his entire collection. It was a bit dusty, but otherwise in good cosmetic condition. Given the volume of gear from this collector the dealer was unpacking, I doubt if this amp has seen much use over it's ~35 year lifetime. After dusting it off, I'm satisfied with the physical appearance. Actually, I'm more than satisfied with the way it looks. It looks awesome in my rack with my Magnum Dynalab FT-101A tuner (love me some analog meters).
But, after a brief listening test, it's obvious it needs servicing. Nothing major, but when the volume is turned all the way down, there is noticeable noise in both channels, slightly more in the right than the left. It's not horrible, but it's loud enough to hear from the listening position and this is for my bedroom system where I'm used to silence coming from the speakers when there is nothing playing. I'm using it with the preamp section of my NAD 3150 integrated amp. When I use the NAD's internal amp, or a TPA3116 Class D amp I built, there is no sound emitting from the speakers when the volume is turned down, or when nothing is playing. The Son sounds good when playing music. So, I'm hopeful a recap will silence the noise I am hearing.
I suspect the meters also need re-calibrated and I'd like to get the bias checked. Is it OK if I mention what I paid for it here, or is that only allowed in Dollars and Sense? I thought about posting there, but what I'm really interested in is how much effort is involved in servicing this amp myself, or about how much it would cost to have it professionally serviced. I don't think I drastically overpaid, but since it was on consignment, the dealer would not budge on the price.
I believe I have the required skills to perform a recap on this amp, and with a little help from the guys in the lab at work, I could probably also re-calibrate the meters and even check and adjust the bias if necessary. Still, I did not buy this amp to have yet another DIY project on my table. I have several speaker recap and refoams in my queue, a set of speaker stands and system rack in planning and would probably not get to this amp until after the first of next year. Since the shop I bought it from has a service department and the amp clearly needs service, would it be appropriate to offer to pay for the parts if they will supply the labor to recap the amp, calibrate the meters and check/adjust the bias. I suppose it can't hurt to ask.
To be truthful, I am perfectly happy with the sound using the NAD 3150, but REALLY love the look of the Son of Ampzilla. I have no doubt the Son, will sound at least as good as the NAD after servicing, but it's not like I NEED the extra power in my bedroom system. More than anything, I was seduced by those big, beautiful meters. I have no problem admitting that. Of course, how it sounds is critical and the highest priority, but I also get a lot of enjoyment out of how my system looks. It's one of the first things I see when I wake up every morning. I'd love to hear how good this thing would sound after servicing, but I'm not sure if that's a wise investment of time/money.
So, what do you think? Should it stay, or should it go.
