Best Of
Re: Mark Levinson 331 amplifier repair.
Posted February 13
Ok, that didn’t take long - I realized that the modification I outlined above would have to be completed FOUR (4) times. FOUR.
Caps are on the way.
Next topic - binding posts…
Ok, that didn’t take long - I realized that the modification I outlined above would have to be completed FOUR (4) times. FOUR.
Caps are on the way.
Next topic - binding posts…
daddyjt
1 ·
Mark Levinson 331 amplifier repair.
I started this project earlier this year, and just wrapped it up this week. I posted a step by step on another forum, and thought I’d post some of the highlights here since it had a happy ending…
Posted February 10
A little backstory on this amplifier…
I bought this used at an estate sale about 7 years ago for $900. The guy that owned it had the power supply caps and intended to replace them to correct a “known issue” with the Levinson 3xx series (more on that in a minute). The gal I bought it from (daughter) had even located the original box and packing material. This is a BEAST of an amplifier, weighing in at 120lbs - with lots of sharp edges, lol. A couple years ago, it developed a 60hz buzz in the left channel, which is a hallmark of the aforementioned “known issue” - The power supply has 4x 44,000uf 75v caps, and 4x 1,900uf 150v caps. That’s 183,000uf of power supply capacitance! Anyway, the “known issue” is the 1,900uf 150v caps. Apparently they were under-speced and virtually always fail. The solution is to bump up to 1,900uf 250v. This is a true dual-mono amp, with dual .8 kva transformers, which contributes substantially to the weight.
When the amp developed the buzz, I popped it open to replace the caps… Full stop. This thing is built like a jigsaw puzzle (see photos below). I had neither the time nor inclination to tear into it, so into the storage room it went. Fast forward to October of 2023, this amp was in the path of the flood we had at our home, where it suffered very minor water exposure (water did not even enter the internals of the amplifier). I learned about how insurance works on items such as this - they take the original value of the item and pay you half. Then, if you replace the item, they will pay anything you spend OVER the half they paid you, up to the original value. For this amplifier, they calculated original value at $8,000 - so they paid me 4k, and would have paid an additional 4k, IF I spent over 4k on a replacement. Needless to say, I have no need (or desire) for an $8,000 amplifier. My plan was to ship in to Levinson and have the caps done. Well…. Levinson refuses to work on this amplifier, as it’s “aged out” of their service agreement. Further, Levinson (Madrigal) refuses to release schematics. That leads to a service network of exactly THREE people in the country. Worse, a recap on this amplifier can be expected to run between $2,000 and $3,000 (NOT including shipping). Ouch.
Theres something liberating about having nothing to lose. I decided that since I’ve been paid out 4x what I spent, I’m going to take a stab at it, and I figured you all might want to tag along…
Posted February 10
A little backstory on this amplifier…
I bought this used at an estate sale about 7 years ago for $900. The guy that owned it had the power supply caps and intended to replace them to correct a “known issue” with the Levinson 3xx series (more on that in a minute). The gal I bought it from (daughter) had even located the original box and packing material. This is a BEAST of an amplifier, weighing in at 120lbs - with lots of sharp edges, lol. A couple years ago, it developed a 60hz buzz in the left channel, which is a hallmark of the aforementioned “known issue” - The power supply has 4x 44,000uf 75v caps, and 4x 1,900uf 150v caps. That’s 183,000uf of power supply capacitance! Anyway, the “known issue” is the 1,900uf 150v caps. Apparently they were under-speced and virtually always fail. The solution is to bump up to 1,900uf 250v. This is a true dual-mono amp, with dual .8 kva transformers, which contributes substantially to the weight.
When the amp developed the buzz, I popped it open to replace the caps… Full stop. This thing is built like a jigsaw puzzle (see photos below). I had neither the time nor inclination to tear into it, so into the storage room it went. Fast forward to October of 2023, this amp was in the path of the flood we had at our home, where it suffered very minor water exposure (water did not even enter the internals of the amplifier). I learned about how insurance works on items such as this - they take the original value of the item and pay you half. Then, if you replace the item, they will pay anything you spend OVER the half they paid you, up to the original value. For this amplifier, they calculated original value at $8,000 - so they paid me 4k, and would have paid an additional 4k, IF I spent over 4k on a replacement. Needless to say, I have no need (or desire) for an $8,000 amplifier. My plan was to ship in to Levinson and have the caps done. Well…. Levinson refuses to work on this amplifier, as it’s “aged out” of their service agreement. Further, Levinson (Madrigal) refuses to release schematics. That leads to a service network of exactly THREE people in the country. Worse, a recap on this amplifier can be expected to run between $2,000 and $3,000 (NOT including shipping). Ouch.
Theres something liberating about having nothing to lose. I decided that since I’ve been paid out 4x what I spent, I’m going to take a stab at it, and I figured you all might want to tag along…
daddyjt
3 ·
Re: Post a picture.....any picture...part deux...
Alien chest buster pad and pen set at Walmart.
SCompRacer
5 ·
Re: Mcintosh C2800 Vs. C2300, a REVIEW
I will say this. It is definitely something that every one of you should strive for....if you want the very best in audio reproduction. It's not system dependant (to a degree). It simply makes your listening experience an untold amount more pleasurable on so many aspects of the reproductive effort.
It is very hard to describe...but once you DON'T hear it? There is no turning back. At least IMO/IME.
Tom
It is very hard to describe...but once you DON'T hear it? There is no turning back. At least IMO/IME.
Tom
treitz3
1 ·
Re: Hello from the Polk Social Team
I've been thrown out of better sound bars than this one!The future of SDA lies within the Sound bars.
Wharfie... I mean Wharfedale did it! And they didn't even spring for a real passive radiator, nor contract with ContactPaper for some bespoke vinyl covering (or wrap, as they say nowadays)!Now lets talk about a retro/modern take on the Monitor 7!
mhardy6647
2 ·
Re: Hello from the Polk Social Team
an updated take at the SDA-CRS would be pretty cool too. 'ya never know
drop1
2 ·
