Hi diyAudio,
I have a Musical Fidelity A3.2cr pre amp and amplifier separates. They are about 17 years old (2003 manufacture). They have never been serviced and I am currently not experiencing any issues (that I am aware of). They get a lot of use ~3 hours listening a day, and I leave them on all the time. They are class A/B and biased about 3watts in A and warm to the touch at idle.
A. is there any point in doing anything before there is a problem? No caps are bulging or leaking.
B. If recapping is suggested, how difficult is it for someone with limited electronics/soldiering experience. I own a Weller soldiering station for the occasional fixing of things
C. If recapping is suggested and I have someone else do it, can anyone recommend a shop in the Chicago area? I am in the NW suburbs but also can deliver downtown.
From my searching, I do not believe there are schematics available for the Musical Fidelity amplifiers. I only know of one shop in the UK that does rehabs of these units and the owner is a former Musical Fidelity technician that opened his own shop. I don't really want to ship 40lbs of amplifier to the UK and back.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Andy
I have a Musical Fidelity A3.2cr pre amp and amplifier separates. They are about 17 years old (2003 manufacture). They have never been serviced and I am currently not experiencing any issues (that I am aware of). They get a lot of use ~3 hours listening a day, and I leave them on all the time. They are class A/B and biased about 3watts in A and warm to the touch at idle.
A. is there any point in doing anything before there is a problem? No caps are bulging or leaking.
B. If recapping is suggested, how difficult is it for someone with limited electronics/soldiering experience. I own a Weller soldiering station for the occasional fixing of things
C. If recapping is suggested and I have someone else do it, can anyone recommend a shop in the Chicago area? I am in the NW suburbs but also can deliver downtown.
From my searching, I do not believe there are schematics available for the Musical Fidelity amplifiers. I only know of one shop in the UK that does rehabs of these units and the owner is a former Musical Fidelity technician that opened his own shop. I don't really want to ship 40lbs of amplifier to the UK and back.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Andy
I would leave well enough alone if everything looks ok. Hopefully there are internal rail fuses
to protect the speakers in case of failure. If not, you could add a fuse in series with each speaker.
Ensure that the amplifiers have plenty of ventilation. I would turn them off when leaving home,
or during storms when power could fluctuate.
When hum or visible bulging starts (if ever), then reconsider.
to protect the speakers in case of failure. If not, you could add a fuse in series with each speaker.
Ensure that the amplifiers have plenty of ventilation. I would turn them off when leaving home,
or during storms when power could fluctuate.
When hum or visible bulging starts (if ever), then reconsider.
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@rayma, great guidance. Thanks. So far no noises or visible issues. Living in the Midwest we get lots of electrical storms so I have everything on a well grounded circuit and with a high quality surge protector. This is just for when we don't see the storm coming, but as you suggest, if we know about it, or are in the middle of it, I unplug everything from the mains. The amp is on a credenza with nothing on top of it and no shelf above it. I occasionally blast it with compressed air to get the dust out and inspect it. Seems like I am doing all I can at this point. I just need to stop obsessing and enjoy the music.
Thanks!
Thanks!