Interconnect quality?

November 17, 2006

I know that there is a lot of debate and opinion on interconnects and matching the quality of interconnects to specific gear. However, does the quality of interconnects make a big difference when connecting your preamp to your amp?

Brian

I’ve always heard more substantial differences in sound quality when switching speaker cables than interconnects. However, I do hear differences in interconnects too, although these differences can sometimes be quite subtle. In some cases I don’t hear any differences at all. I think a lot of it depends on the quality of the system and differences between one interconnect and the next. There is just no standard answer as to how important interconnects are for every system. That would make things easy! As always, your best bet is to get a couple of different cables and alternate them in your system. If you hear an improvement and you feel it is worth the asking price, then you have your ultimate answer.

Leaky capacitors

November 13, 2006

I have an older Marantz amplifier that a local service technician says has "leaky capacitors." The price of the repair is $200. Does this sound legitimate? I don’t know if I want to spend $200 on an amplifier that is over 20 years old.

Lou

Failing capacitors are pretty standard problems among older power amplifiers. The $200 quote is probably about right when you add-up the cost of the parts along with the labor. When you consider that the capacitor repair might allow another long period of enjoyment of your Marantz amp, I’d gamble and do the repair over buying something new. The other alternative is eBay -- a classic Marantz amplifier is worth more than many other brands of the same period.