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There has been a lot of talk lately about the "age" of power supplies. Why is this so important? Especially if the supplies have never been used?
I mean, I know that parts age, and that things like power supplies and capacitors are filled with all sorts of mysterious goo that can run out, dry out, etc., over time. But how bad ∗IS∗ this? I mean, I have my old Korg MS-10 that I bought in 1977 still running strong; its power supply hasn't exploded, caught fire, or generally quit. I've got loads of equipment from the late seventies and eighties all running in mint condition. So why is it that people on this list seem suddenly terrified of buying a circa 1989 power supply for $9, and instead would rather buy one from 1996 for $160?
It's leaving me with this queasy feeling that I'm spending years assembling this monster modular and that by the time I'm "finished" I shouldn't really expect it to work because it's become "old," not outdated but actually ∗non-functional?∗ I mean, seriously, why is a 12-year-old power supply so bad? Especially at these savings. Is there something I should know? Should I really be bracing myself for leakage and multiple explosions in the near term...?
Man, I still have a TV set downstairs that we bought in 1964 or something. If it quit tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised, but I hope my modular doesn't just shut down in ten years. Jeez!! I was expecting it to last into my retirement, if not as an heirloom!