Amp replacement

[Neil hounslow]

I’ve owned my music fidelity B1 amp from new it’s matched brilliantly with a Systemdek IIX with a rega 3 arm & a recent upgrade of a goldring E3 cartridge with Celestine DL5 speakers. The amp is starting to play up which amp would you recommend to replace it as at the time of purchase I had a store near me (Westwood & mason) that let me play with a lot of kit to make my decision and how great it was but now where do I start with new kit?

 

[matthewpianist]

Have you investigated repair? What is your budget for a replacement?

 

[Gray]

Have you investigated repair?

Yes Neil, as you like the amp so much.
In what way is it 'starting to play up'?

 

[bigfish786]

Lots of choice out there, do you want a phono stage built in, or a separate one? New/used?

 

[plastic penguin]

Lots of choice out there, do you want a phono stage built in, or a separate one? New/used?

The B1 has a built-in phono stage looking pics on a auction site, so presumably he'd want the same.

 

[plastic penguin]

Have you investigated repair? What is your budget for a replacement?

Indeed, I would look at possible repair costs first. As the B1 is quite an antique it might be worth looking for a replacement.

 

[daytona600]

 

[Gray]

I would look at possible repair costs first.

Rightly so.
Often the case that someone reports being perfectly happy with something - but first sign of trouble and they're looking for new.

(I suppose, for many there's always the idea that new must necessarily mean better).

 

[DCarmi]

I've seen quotes for repair and recap-ing at around £200, if you scout around the interwebs.
I'd guess a recap is probably on the cards due to the age of the amp.
It doesn't hurt to get some quotes.

If going for new I'd probably be looking at something like a Rega Brio (price-wise, allowing for inflation.) You must audition though, especially as you are comparing to something you already like and the sound will be different. Your budget is pretty key to the options you have.

 

[Gray]

....looking at the controls, there's a chance that he could easily do a combined 'repair and service' for under £10.

Hasn't been a day yet since his original post.....so you never know, he might return.

 

[DCarmi]

I guess a notion of what "playing up" means would help.

 

[rainsoothe]

Rightly so.
Often the case that someone reports being perfectly happy with something - but first sign of trouble and they're looking for new.

(I suppose, for many there's always the idea that new must necessarily mean better).

I think it's because you start thinking that if one thing starts acting up, then another will follow suite, and soon you'll start playing whack-a-mole with developing faults.

 

[Gray]

I think it's because you start thinking that if one thing starts acting up, then another will follow suite, and soon you'll start playing whack-a-mole with developing faults.

That's true, I'm sure that's how they think and there may be some justification.

With some amps though, some well aimed contact cleaner / lubricant will give them at least as many trouble-free years as they've already had.

 

[Neil hounslow]

I wasn’t just thinking of joining the throw away society, at 35 years old there have been advance’s in sound and and obviously connection that the b1 didn’t have, so I’ve been into my local richer sounds recently and invested in a new musical fidelity b1xi and WiiM ultra steamer. I’ve found a lot more definition in the sound at lower volume and can get rid of a blue tooth receiver and transmitter, ok so it cost 1k and I may have been able to get a better amp and streamer for the money but this suits me next is the cartridge and speaker!