I need some straigh up advice!!

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pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,384
edited May 2008 in Electronics
As many of you know I recently bough a Nikko Alpha VI amp on a whim. But what I didn't realize is that the amp is considered very rare & worth a lot of $$$$$ especially in the ultra mint condition that it's in & that it'll only increase in value. Guys that collect vintage gear are drooling over the damn thing. And to a man they all say to keep it & enyoy it. Except one fellow, he's pretty much told me he wants it bad & to name my price. Damn!

Here's my dilemna...I love the way the amp sounds, it's just liquidy smooth, with no SS artifacts what so ever. But it is 28yrs old & it's electronic parts are getting long in the tooth. Stephen at Quest said it's immaculate & not to worry about it. This amp was built by Luxman for Nikko & they sure as hell knew how to built quality stuff.

I'm just worried about it breaking down & the repair issues it might have. What's your thoughts on gear holding up over time. Am I worrying too much??
Post edited by pearsall001 on
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,811
    edited May 2008
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    About the only things I see fail in old amps, are the relays (dirt cheap), and caps. Neither is very expensive to repair.

    My main amp just turned 19 years old, and I have no concerns at all. Then again, my best friend is an electronics technician, and does all my repairs for free. I've even had him fix things that were still under warranty, to avoid shipping damage, and save time.:)
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited May 2008
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    Well, are you a collector? If you are then hang on to it and bring it out on special occasions. I imagine if it sounds that sweet, that special occasion may be a long time!

    On the other hand, if your concerned about breaking it, part with it now, make a few bucks and allow some other guy to enjoy it until it breaks. Because once it's fixed it won't be mint anymore, almost but not quite.

    My 2 cents.

    Gordon
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,811
    edited May 2008
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    Because once it's fixed it won't be mint anymore, almost but not quite.

    How do you figure this? It will still be mint, assuming the tech does not scratch the unit, and uses the appropriate parts for repair.
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited May 2008
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    Hawkeye wrote: »
    Well, are you a collector?

    Gordon

    Phil,

    I think Gordon nailed it.

    If you want to be or are a collector, then it's a no-brainer: keep it whether you use it everyday or break it out for those special occasions.

    If not, then I'd think hard about the price. I'm getting a SS Cary next week so I'll go a for a quickie review to give you something else to chew on. ;)

    Wes
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited May 2008
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    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    How do you figure this? It will still be mint, assuming the tech does not scratch the unit, and uses the appropriate parts for repair.

    I personally would not considered a piece mint if it had been repaired unless the disclaimer "recently serviced" or words to that effect had been mentioned.

    A collector looking for an ultra mint piece is looking for original parts, that is what makes it mint to me. I don't see anything wrong with getting pieces serviced. But for a collector it may make a difference, and that will affect the dollar value. That is all I'm saying.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited May 2008
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    There is no shortage of nice sounding vintage amps. I would say if anything there is a shortage of hardcore Nikko collectors and if you have found one (a Nikko collector) I would cahs out and move on to something else.

    If you like the Nikko I would try a Pass designed Adcom GFA 555 Mark 2. Stereophile used to rave about the performance of the 555's for the money.
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2008
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    Only you can answer this question Phil. You have to judge whether you enjoy the piece more than you would enjoy the financial benefits of the money and/or what else the money can buy. To me your repair concern is a non-issue. Anything can be fixed to return to the original sound.

    This question is kind of like a reverse decision on whether we should purchase a piece of gear. When we purchase something we judge whether the gain in sound quality is of more value to us than the amount of money that we are paying and how it compares with other products, etc.

    I think only your value system can answer this question and make that decision Phil.

    Still would love some photos though.

    Good luck,
    Mike
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited May 2008
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    SELL IT NOW while you have a buyer. There are lots of wonderful amps (or other gear) out there. Unless it has sentimental value...its just gear. There are very few things that can't be replaced...and usually cheaper than what you just sold it for.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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  • dcmeigs
    dcmeigs Posts: 708
    edited May 2008
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    Nikko on Ebay

    If your guy will pay $1700, I'd sell! You notice he had not a nibble at $1,000.
    The world is full of answers, some are right and some are wrong. - Neil Young
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited May 2008
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    keep it... if it were me.. i'd keep it.. as soon as you sell it.. you'll kick yourself. how often does anyone luck into something that vintage and mint?
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