Amps from the 1980's -- What gear holds up sonically? Reliably?

Well, for me the 80's was a time when CERTAIN designers made some really memorable items. My system today still has major components from the 80's. Beginning with Conrad Johnsons premier 1 amp all the way thru to the MV55 were all great sounding pieces. Audio Research made the excellent SP-10 & SP-11 preamps. Love all the Thresholds especially the SA versions. Cary Audio made some very special 300b pieces and Jeff Rowland was very good too. I was not a fan of Krell, too analytical sounding and not musical for my taste. Every era made good stuff, I'm listing to my vinyl now on an Unmodified 1957 Marantz 7 thru a CJ Premier Four thru Martin Logan Request Electrostats and the music is so pure, detailed, and musical with a dreamy super large soundstage. I paid $4500 for the Marantz 7 about 2 years ago and it is one of the best preamps I have every had the pleasure of owning and listening to. Don't discount older stuff, they still sound AMAZING!!!  Forget about specs, let your ears be the judge. 

There is just too much stuff to mention, some equipment will do wonders in some systems and sound average in others. But if you hear the same model component being repeated, then you know something special about that item. I used to believe McIntosh was not high-end because for many years, they were not in the hifi game but after they got back in, and I got to hear their new stuff along with returned back and listening to their older gear like the MC 275, it definitely settled the issue that some Mcintosh is superb equipment also.

In responds to Daveyf remark, "vote for cream of the crop," there is no way the AR components you mentioned would take that spot. There were way too many great sounding items. And I haven't checked but I'm assuming that the AR amp you mentioned was either SS or a 6550 based amp. I for one, prefer EL34 amps over 6550 designs and even still, the 300b tube over EL34. So that's why I do not prefer AR amps and some of the CJ line. I mention MCIntosh amps in an earlier reply because MCIntosh had been quiet for many years and returned back in the spot light in the 80's. And to my discovery, they make some awesome sounding hifi equipment. I never own MAC stuff but have heard it several times and I'm very impressed. These 5 preamps I own and are using in my systems - the main preamps-  Marantz 7, AR SP-11 mk 2, Stevens Billington Silver passive, and the Conrad Johnson PV9A & PV-11 preamps used just for phono-sections.  I don't want to begin the list of amps and turntable I have set up. 

Daveyf, I would rather own and listen to a McIntosh tube amp any day over a Audio Research tube amp. Yes that is my preference and I have heard AR amps along with MAC amps. That why I can't see your AR amp being the cream of the crop from the 80's. just because you like it a lot doesn't mean everyone else thinks it's the best. 

Just to get back on track, the 80's had great items made from many companies. In fact, To think of it, I think some of my favorite stuff was made in the late 50's, 60's, and early 80's. One of my best picks is the Threshold SA line: even though I'm not necessarily a SS person, the SA amps sound so pure and musical. They were made in the early 80's. Conrad Johnson's Premier 1, 4, & 5 amps are still highly sought after in Hong Kong for they special sound. They are not as accurate as other amps but they are very open, musical, euphoric, and magical when set up correctly. Amps that are the most accurate do not necessarily make magic in a system. The Rogers LS3/5a for example is a speaker made from the 70's - 80's and it is definitely not the most revealing monitor I have heard by far. But I once heard it paired with Cary 805 amps and a tube preamp and till this day, I still feel it was one of the best, engaging, super large sounds I ever had the pleasure of hearing. It was an experience not a listening session. System