2. amps-preamps
  3. 129558-20253

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

Hi Everyone,

For me, the 1980s were a real "golden age" of amplifiers. Dr. Leach’s paper on building a low TIM amplifier had been widely distributed and relied on by budding designers, and lots of boutique brands came. It was also the era of the biggest of the Conrad Johsnon tube amps as well and the invention of the MOSFET.

For me, brands I cared about:

  • Threshold
  • Sumo
  • Perreaux (New Zealand, very pretty)
  • Tandberg
  • Hitachi
  • Kyocera
  • Nikko
  • Krell (of course)
  • CJ
  • ARC
  • Yamaha (professional)
  • Carver
  • Mark Levinson
  • Amber 
  • Tandberg
This was also the speaker era of Snell and Apogee and Martin Logan. I am not sure there would be a Krell today if it wasn't for Apogee's 1 ohm speakers.

I’m curious who is still listening to these vintage pieces, and which brands you think have stood up both in terms of reliability and / or sonics ?
erik_squires
Post removed 
mschott's avatar
mschott
132 posts
 
I have an Adcom 555 but it has't worked in years and is not worth the price to repair (over $500.00) but it was a fine amp in its day, tons of good clean power but a bit harsh at higher volumes. They powered Snell E3's in my system. The Snell's were definitely fine speaker but modern speakers image leave them for dead. Sold the Snells for a decent price about a year ago.
captvideo
3 posts
 
I am still listening to the Energy 22's I purchased in the early 80's when I was selling audio. I wish I still had the Denon PMA 950 pure class A integrated amp I had then. I don't know how reliable it would have been as it ran very hot.

I also agree with those who mentioned Bedini (25/25). A great sounding amp.
jhills
615 posts
 
Still have and it still performs well and sounds sweet, a early to mid 80s Audible Illusions pre-amp. with phono section. One of my favorite small amps, affordable for my budget, was the PSE Studio II. At a modest 80w/140w - 8ohm/4ohm respectively, it did a nice job driving my ESL-63s. Also had early model Brystons and Krells.
Another piece of equipment that I had and liked allot was my Nakamichi ZX-9 Cassette Recorder/Player - now worth more than when I bought it new. After 15 years in storage, I got it out, cleaned and serviced it and all functions performed beautifully and still sounded great. 
jhills
615 posts
 
A system I would loved to have had back in the late 80s and wouldn't mind having, even now, would be a set of Apogee Duetta II Sigs. driven by a pair of Mark Levinson 23s. I had a chance to audition that combination and fell in love.
Maybe still someday - if I ever have the extra bucks and room.
More to discover