All older quality equipment is prime for revamping, not only from an upgrade aspect, but just because some maintenance is required from the aging factor. No news there really. Some units are also more flexible than others to modernization, just depends on layout and the circuit design itself. The first and foremost requirement I have is to keep the gear looking neat, no bird's nesting or spaghetti approach allowed. Chances are if a circuit mod looks neat, then it's a good indication that the utmost thought and consideration went into doing the work. While this aspect can and usually does involve much work, I think it's worth being able to actually look at the circuit and be impressed with it. My customers seem to like it and so do I. As a general rule, I do no irreversible damage either. Your vintage equipment is valuable, as is mine, and none of us want holes drilled or punched which can devalue its' worth. In the rare case where this is needed, neatness is paramount and can usually be made to look like factory work. I do have a complete machine shop as well as electronics lab to take care of these things.

Check out the Rebuild Packages link to see the gear I have already been through and offer as a ready-to-go rebuild package for your amp.

If you have an amp that you'd like redone, I can help. There is a nominal core labor charge of $250 on most amps, with parts being extra (at cost of course). This will include and is certainly not limited to:

• Circuit changes when possible. These can occur in the circuit, power supply, or both. A prime example of this can be seen with the TNT-200 and Acurus rebuilds.

• Board overhaul, including newer semiconductors. Some of yesteryear's transistors are marginal, some are fine. I make measurements including curve tracer readings and determine what is possible. The Threshold 400A is a good example here.

• Power supply diodes, caps, and resistors are upgraded. I use several different kinds of resistors which are location dependant, as are caps.

• Possibly new output devices. Manufacturers are notorious for using excessive low-gain transistors which can lead to reliability problems. These are either weeded out or the whole section is upgraded. I also use mica insulators with synthetic grease because the bottom line is they're the best.

• Usually new gold-plated RCA connectors, if what I have in stock will fit. Hole sizing on these can be interesting to say the least, but I do have most covered. These are quality jacks with pronged connector pieces.