You don't see many gold plated circuit boards in entry level amps these days! Not even in Elite amps. Them sapphires are not triple darlington i assume. Are they mosfet or what? Looks like mosfet http://download.phoenixphorum.com/Manuals/Amplifiers/Sapphire/Sapphire_Manual.pdf also note the manual ...

ttocs wrote:always thought they were white myself. This amp has not been "franked" has it?

not that I am aware of. I bought it back in the mid 90s. My board says Rev A.

What is the deal with the blue/purple Sapphire amps? I am been looking for a match for my SA1.0, but all of the ones I am finding are white. Are the blue/purple versions more rare or an earlier model?

I've been looking at those as well. There are some used analog scopes local for about $50-150, but these DSOs seem like they could be easier to use in an automotive environment.

Where would I purchase the correct or upgraded caps? I have soldered circuit boards before. I imagine I could do it. Which ones am I replacing?

I've got a sapphire 1.0 that had been working fine, but it's been probably 6 years since I powered it up. Am I going to need to have the caps replaced?