Upgrading a 1994 amplifier

[cvalde]

Hello, please bear with me as I'm not a electronic techie, so the question may be too stupid.
Has anyone attempted to "upgrade" amplifiers from the nineties? For example, changing the typical E-I transformers to toroids, upgrading carbon based resistors to new technologies, maybe changing some transistors, etc. Does it make sense?
Thanks.

 

[sumaudioguy]

E-I to toroid is often a down grade and not an upgrade. If you really want to make a difference use the new caps like Panasonic FM for all the lesser ones and some fast switching ones for the main supply. It will sound much better. Look for low ESR and rating to 50kHz and above. Would not change those resistors on a bet!

 

[nigelwright7557]

It can be a minefield changing transistors as you can sometimes end up with oscilation on the output if the replacement transistors are a lot faster. Even then the bias and DC offset will probably need setting up again.

I would go for a change of electrolytics as these wear out first.

 

[cvalde]

Thanks for your answers. I see the subject is somewhat controversial and a techie should know very well what he's doing. One may be opening a Pandora's box by combining some new with old components.