Hi
I have 2 Carver M1.0T (1987 & 1988) and 2 Hafler 9180 (1992) Power Amps in good condition.
I just use 2 of them: One Hafler in strap mode for the center channel and one Carver for two surrounds.
If I leave any 2 of them inactive, will the electolytic capacitors dry out more quickly than when in use?
If so, I could rotate the Power Amps, say once a year, replacing with same type of unit in order not to disturb Audyssey settings.
Regards

If I leave any 2 of them inactive, will the electolytic capacitors dry out more quickly than when in use?

They'll dry out more quickly in use then idle.

OH !!!! Surprise!!!
I will use one pair then, 1 Hafler in strap mode and 1 Carver.
If and when one falters, I have a replacement....until I buy a bloc of 5 amps. My L&R channels are powered by Adcom GFA-5800 (1996).
Regards

Heat ages electrolytic caps more quickly.

Newer elcap technologies and formulations in the past 10–15 years are supposed to be more stable and durable. But time will surely tell.

Replacing bad caps isn't impossible as they only have two connections. Of course, knowing which ones are bad is the tougher task.

If you get 20 years out of something that gets weekly if not daily use I think you can justify replacement with something newer and probably better.


Brian

It shouldn't be too expensive to get those amps repaired if a cap goes bad.

As for newer is better...

I wouldn't just toss a quality amp even if a couple decades old. Amplifiers really haven't improved that much in this time frame. In fact, most of the advances have been in how to make amps more cheaply.

Also, older amps tend to use non-surface mount boards and are easy repair. Hell, my old crown amps came with circuit diagrams showing every single electrical path.

Replacing bad caps isn't impossible as they only have two connections. Of course, knowing which ones are bad is the tougher task.


You can use a shot-gun approach. Replace all the electrolytics. There aren't too many. You might get four filter capacitors plus a half dozen small ones in each channel where the maker really cut costs.


If you get 20 years out of something that gets weekly if not daily use I think you can justify replacement with something newer and probably better.


With new "mid-fi" stereo amplifiers that have decent build quality selling for $600 at 100W into 8 ohms and north of $1000 at 200W, spending 1/10th that to replace all the electrolytic capacitors is a much better deal.

"Audiophile" amplifiers might have bigger capacitors but substantially higher price tags so there's plenty of room to pay a technician to do the deed for you.

Especially since the replacement isn't going to be any better.