Old electrolytic caps ok? MOSCODE 600

[pforeman]

My Moscode 600 is almost 25 years old. It has been played approximately 2 times a week since it was new (each time ~2 hours). It had several of NYAL mods years ago. It was also not played at all for about 3 years when I got into amateur telescope making.
The electrolytic caps on this thing are huge!
I've read that they can blow up.
The caps look fine, and sounds fine. The amp does not sound nearly as good as the simple se's that I've made.
Should I change the electrolytic caps for safety?
Should I change them for better sonics?
Anyone have a schematic for this beast
Thanks
Paul

[TheGimp]

Al Electrolytics dry out over time and use. The general guideline I've seen is 10 years of use. Being that it is 25 years old, I'd change them if it were mine.

Without a schematic it is not possible to make recommendations other than original equivalent replacement with either Al Electrolytics of the same or greater voltage rating, or Motor Run caps as an upgrade. Again, same uF value with equal or greater voltage rating.

[rknize]

25 years is getting up there. It certainly couldn't hurt the sound to replace them. Just depends if the cost will be worth it to you. You may find that it may never sounds as good as the SSE that you already have.

Funny story...my parents have a Kenwood receiver that's about 25 years old as well. Nothing special, just your run-of-the-mill surround sound receiver with lots of buttons and a fancy VFD. The thing has a 60 Hz hum that's been getting worse as the years go on. It sounds worse than my old organ amp. Just makes me laugh to think that it probably needs to be recapped and the cost of the caps is probably several times that of a new receiver.

[Glowbug]

Re-capping is a very easy job

I'd just find direct replacements from your favorite source, if you want to keep the amp.

[vaughn]

I had a 600 that I replaced the caps on, a relatively easy job to do. A very powerful and (to some still) desirable amp. I would say it is definitely worth doing...

[AVWERK]

Don't use NOS caps although Ive done it myself. Bite the bullet and buy new ones if you want the best and tightest bass response. NOS electrolytic's suffer in that area

Regards
David

[pforeman]

We're just talking the two big can capacitors right.
The amp has about 20 MKP's as well.
Based on the expected life of one of these I should have many years of life on those right.
Paul