weather
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Amplifier integrity and new configuration
JoeE SP9
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Do amps degrade over time?

Yes. As the parts age they sometimes change values. This is a real problem with electrolytic capacitors. They dry out and stop functioning.

40 year old amplifiers should be thoroughly checked out for leaking/dry electrolytic capacitors, dirty corroded pots and switches, correct DC offset, output stage bias and general aging.

Is a new $500 amp worth the benefit?

That depends on the condition of the amplifier it would be replacing. Having an old amplifier tuned up and refurbished could cost $200-$300 or more with no real guaranty.

Any sound card that has an analog output has a DAC.

Just about any sound card ever made sounds better than the onboard sound chips in most computers.

Only you can decide if a new amp is better or a dedicated DAC is better than what you have.

The only way to tell is to audition the new devices and compare them to the old ones.

commsysman
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The Music Hall A15.2 is the best-sounding amplifier I have heard for less than $1000. None of the Cambridge or NAD amplifiers for under $1000 comes close.

I think you would hear a major improvement in your system by buying that amplifier.

It has plenty of power and even has a built-in phono preamp if you should ever want a turntable.

IMO that old amplifier was not very good to start with, and improvement will be easy.

mrvco
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Music Hall and Cambridge Audio make great stuff for the money.  It's best of course to demo something, if possible, since it's hard to know how your Technics unit is performing (relatively speaking) after so many years.  If looking at the Cambridge Audio integrateds, I'd gravitate towards the Azur line, especially if you don't need (or want) the built-in phono stage.  You can usually find "like new" 550a and 650a demo units at or under $500.

There are a bunch of quality external DAC's that can be bought new or as demo's for $500 or less.  I just picked up a Music Hall DAC15.2 (sub $300) to use with an Airport Express and am very happy with the results (I sold my dedicated CD-player last year, was hesitant to buy a more expensive DAC without a baseline for comparison and since the DAC15.2 has both optical and USB inputs, it suits both roles perfectly).

weather
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Thanks, that really helps.

So you would probably want to prioritize the amp before the speakers?

mrvco
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The speakers are the most important component of the system.  I'd say it just depends on how long you can keep the speakers that you're loaning and how different those are from what you're thinking about buying.  That being said, it doesn't sound like you're mixing and matching anything anything that won't work well together (e.g. no inefficient speakers w/ underpowered amplifcation or the like).

jgossman
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It's your baseline for reference as you move up the chain.  If you are going preamp, amp, you usually get a very good preamp and repair it, upgrade, mod, etc., but you keep it forever.  It's your system anchor, if you will.  If you go integrated, it's the same deal.  And the only reason I'd recommend it is because this amp, even though it will go probably 30 watts plus, 8 ohm before noticible distortion, still just isn't enough juice unless you are going to focus on more efficient speakers next go round.  

That said, old Technics gear had a nice smooth refined sound, some of the first SS integrateds that didn't really suck.

weather
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I would be looking for some bookshelfs...got a few options to choose from. 

Thanks for the information people!  Sets me on the right path for sure

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