20 Vintage Amps That Prove They Really Don’t Make Them Like They Used To

I once owned that Bryston amp. 

Like many audiophiles, I am no longer a spring chicken, and have developed many systems over the decades. Roughly 45 years ago, I used the following system in my funky coach house in Evanston, IL:

 Bryston 4B amp ($1,200 then; ~$4,700 inflation adjusted)

APT-Holman pre-amp ($575 then; ~$2,200 IA)

Magnepan Tympani IVA speakers ($3,800; ~$15,000 IA)

Nakamichi 600 cassette deck ($600; ~$2300 IA)

B&O 4002 turntable (~$700; ~$2,700 IA)

And I paid for the system from tips that I earned as a waiter at a local restaurant, though most components were purchased second-hand.

the few times ive read thru those headphonesty clickbait articles theyve been counterfactual, nonsense or just plain bad propaganda. 

in this case, i enjoyed looking at photos of these classic amps. 

Nostalgia plays a big part in this. Romanticizing about a past amp or lover elevates it's perceived status. Much like revisiting that gf we were so crazy about as a young man and finding disappointment, revisiting an old piece of gear disappoints. 

Fun article!

I owned two of the amps in the article-Harman Kardon Citation II, Dynaco Stereo 70. Compared to the amps I have now ARC, Unison, they are euphonic and transients are slower. They were also lacking in top end, but so were the speakers that were made during this period.

NAD's 3020 was my foray into refined audio reproduction. It was paired with Spectrum Audio 208A speakers, Toledo.  I bought the combo from a mail order place in Grand Rapids.  All my undergrad partygoer friends were blown away … great synergy, dynamics and sound for a 20 watt piece. 

I still have it.