A tale of two amplifiers

[farflungstar]

I guess the Cary's are just gonna have to go for service and upgrade - I'm thinking maybe the power caps are shot but I'm no Jez arkless. Unless you've seen and lifted an 805c it's difficult to understand the over engineering that's in them. The trannies are the biggest I've ever seen and they weigh in at 45k each monoblock. They make most other amps look puny and fragile. They are however a dog's dinner internally. With bench time and upgrade components I'm looking at around €1500 - the price of a good second hand alternative.

As regards the Hiraga - I do wish Jez lived in sunny Spain so I could get it checked out and any components changed - but it sounds great, revealing new details in well known tracks, and giving pin point imaging that the Cary's don't.

[fatmarley]

With the differences you describe, I can't Imagine upgraded component giving you what you want - Well, you may be lucky but It's a big gamble.

[farflungstar]

The Cary's are knocking on for 15 years old and I doubt they've ever been serviced. I don't have a choice but to do it.

The Hiraga was a special build back in the day for Expolinear speakers and is branded Expolinear. I know Jake thought very highly of if and even asked if I'd consider selling it back to him, so it has merit beyond my own hearing. I'm just thinking that as it's also long in the tooth it might also need a service.

[oldius]

I guess the Cary's are just gonna have to go for service and upgrade - I'm thinking maybe the power caps are shot but I'm no Jez arkless. Unless you've seen and lifted an 805c it's difficult to understand the over engineering that's in them. The trannies are the biggest I've ever seen and they weigh in at 45k each monoblock. They make most other amps look puny and fragile. They are however a dog's dinner internally. With bench time and upgrade components I'm looking at around €1500 - the price of a good second hand alternative.

As regards the Hiraga - I do wish Jez lived in sunny Spain so I could get it checked out and any components changed - but it sounds great, revealing new details in well known tracks, and giving pin point imaging that the Cary's don't.

That's a lot of money. Why not try other SS amps to see if there is a preference there?

[farflungstar]

I'm considering that. But it would be an awful shame to have the Cary's sitting there or packed up. If I did it would be a class A job, maybe Krell KSA 80/100.

[Sherwood]

I would hold off on any amplifier decision until you've decided on your speaker upgrade, assuming that you are still planning to replace your current models.

Geoff

[farflungstar]

Yes Geoff, that's still the plan for September - just stuck between Omega or JMR Offrande Supreme.

[mac72]

The Cary's are knocking on for 15 years old and I doubt they've ever been serviced. I don't have a choice but to do it.

The Hiraga was a special build back in the day for Expolinear speakers and is branded Expolinear. I know Jake thought very highly of if and even asked if I'd consider selling it back to him, so it has merit beyond my own hearing. I'm just thinking that as it's also long in the tooth it might also need a service.

Did you check bias current on power valves , do you know how many hours valves have done so far , it might be as simple as replacing them wit fresh set

[farflungstar]

Yes bias is fine at 60ma.

[mac72]

Yes bias is fine at 60ma.

Have tubes ever been replaced ?
IF not I would try to find someone to test these , is very unlikely there is anything wrong with psu or amplifier