Question 80s vintage amps - still any good today?

[suburbansky]

I've recently unearthed an old Yamaha AX-500 midrange amp from my basement. It was purchased when the line was brand new, 1987 that is, and has been with various members of the family ever since, including myself. I relegated it to my basement about 12 years ago, not giving it any thought since. However, I'm seriously tempted to put it back into operation, after a thorough dust-off and brush-up, that is.

Any thoughts on vintage amps like that one, and whether it's worth having them today?

 

[Revolutions]

Good gear is still good as long as it’s operational. How it sounds is all that matters.

 

[Cork]

It's a great integrated amp, I'd use it if I had it sitting around. It's almost certainly a class A amp too, so probably a little better sound quality than most of the cheaper class D amps these days (although it'll draw more current).

In case you don't have the manual: https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/3/335983/AX-500.pdf

 

[record_spot]

Good amps then are good amps today. You maybe don't have some of the more modern functionality, but I'll be damned if I wouldn't love one of those big beefy Sansui preamps that'll set you back £1,500 now still, even after 45 years.

That said, with it comes a pretty substantial risk of additional servicing or replacement parts / overhaul needed for older stuff.

The aforementioned Sansui amps were complex builds for the bigger ones in their range, so restoring them will cost you a fortune. You won't go far wrong with their AU series though. The 217 or 317 were fantastic and won't be an issue to service. Once you get to the 717 / 919 or the older 9000 series, you're looking at some hefty bills. I had to get rid of a 717 because repair costs were mounting up and the volume pot was a sealed unit. There was also a type of glue they used on their surface boards that apparently goes off over time and can mess up the surfaces they're used on. Again, big money to fix.

 

[Steve983]

I still have my A&R Arcam Alpha plus that I got in 1986. When I bought this amp I had finally found the sound I really liked and kept it for years so much so that I still have it. I played it recently with my Rega Planar 2 (also from 1986) and it still sounds wonderful for vinyl. When put up against a modern amp for critical listening on cd it can't compete (perhaps not surprisingly) but it always has a certain magic for me.