Bad news from the HiFi Hospital

[Claus]

Fortunately it is only an amp - but won't be cheap. It appears that the amp has overheated and the big power amp caps (?) have failed. One is even split open! These are hand made in the US and cost around 250 dollars each and four is needed. I would appreciate your opinion on how to proceed if you wouldn't mind? Here are the options:

1. Let HiFi Hospital replace the caps with a cheaper variant at a total cost of €385.

2. Get them to replace with the original at around 1000USD plus labour.

3. Send the amp to MF for their upgrade at 699GBP plus shipping.

4. I am also aware of another 3rd party upgrade done by JS audio repairs. I have sent them a mail to see what their prices are like.

I kind of think the repair is worth it as these were limited runs and still seem to fetch a good price second hand. I will also have to invest in the region of two to three grand to get something that matches the performance I fear... Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help guys!
Claus

[cybot]

Fortunately it is only an amp - but won't be cheap. It appears that the amp has overheated and the big power amp caps (?) have failed. One is even split open! These are hand made in the US and cost around 250 dollars each and four is needed. I would appreciate your opinion on how to proceed if you wouldn't mind? Here are the options:

1. Let HiFi Hospital replace the caps with a cheaper variant at a total cost of €385.

2. Get them to replace with the original at around 1000USD plus labour.

3. Send the amp to MF for their upgrade at 699GBP plus shipping.

4. I am also aware of another 3rd party upgrade done by JS audio repairs. I have sent them a mail to see what their prices are like.

I kind of think the repair is worth it as these were limited runs and still seem to fetch a good price second hand. I will also have to invest in the region of two to three grand to get something that matches the performance I fear... Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help guys!
Claus

Without any question I'd send the amp back to MF themselves - see #3 above. I've been thinking about doing just that with my own fabled A1000 MF integrated which unfortunately is gathering dust at the moment due a little man called Glenn ;-))) I remember one of the hi fi rags doing a piece on the MF tune up and they were mightily impressed! Now you have me thinking!

[dubber]

JSAudio have lots of good reviews ...

[Fran]

Have you got details on the caps themselves? Might be possible to get something very similar for not as much $$.

Are they high wattage amps? Do you need high wattage for your speakers?


Fran

[giant haystacks]

hi i can get the engineer in enniskillen to look at this post for his guidance -is the amp some of the big musical fidelity amps or maybe i read wrong -there has to be some alternative to a big spend
out of intrest he said that a gryphon amp was the best built amplifier he ever worked at

[Claus]

The amp is a nu-vista m3. Sorry can't remember the details on them. Maybe the hifi hospital will post the name ? They actually have the caps in stock but i think it is worth it to get it overhauled. should last another 10 years ;-) Glad to know a danish company is doing things right. pity i can't afford them...

[Claus]

Just a little update:

The amp is now in the Musical Fidelity HQ for fine tuning. They don't seem to add anything for repair of the broken parts, so all in all it seems a good deal. The shipping is of course very hard to swallow but I think the combined price of 1200 euro will be well spent as I should get a 100% tip top amp back. They have - despite the reputation - been very professional and easy to deal with so far. I will update when the amp is back after the service and 10 day soak test. Can't wait!

[Ivor]

Just a little update:

The amp is now in the Musical Fidelity HQ for fine tuning. They don't seem to add anything for repair of the broken parts, so all in all it seems a good deal. The shipping is of course very hard to swallow but I think the combined price of 1200 euro will be well spent as I should get a 100% tip top amp back. They have - despite the reputation - been very professional and easy to deal with so far. I will update when the amp is back after the service and 10 day soak test. Can't wait!

If there was a "like" button...

[Fran]

Ouch!!! So I take the shipping is expensive!?

Still at least you have repair by the original manufacturer, with proven evidence from them - that won't hurt resale value down the line.....


but still - ouch!

Fran

[Claus]

I tried shopping around for the shipping but it more or less ended up around 150 each way because of the weight and dimensions (the two boxes did not seem to matter much). I opted for UPS as I heard some positive feedback and they are well known. They were excellent in terms of service and have the first part of the journey sorted very smoothly. But yeah, if it ever goes on ebay, at least there is a cert etc. documenting the upgrade. :)