Best vintage amps (late 70s / early 80s) under $3k?


The golden age of audio was arguably the late 70s / early 80s, when corporations were willing to dump a ton of money into R&D / materials to make the best equipment possible. The downside to owning equipment from this period now is possible refurbishment and maintenance costs, but it seems good deals can still be had.

Wondering if you guys had recommendations of great sounding amps from this era? Ideally I'm looking for something that's 100W minimum, doesn't run hot, and under $3000 second hand.

I already have a fully refurbished late 70s Pioneer M-22 that outputs 30W into 8ohms. I love this amp, but being Class A it's like a radiator and not suitable for Southern California's summer months in a smallish room. More power would also be good as my speaker efficiency is 89.5db. I listen to many genres of music, so the amp needs to be a good all-rounder.

My current chain:

Turntable: Technics 1210M5G w/ AudioMods tonearm and Lyra Delos MC cart
Phono stage: Avid Pulsus
DAC: RME ADI-2 Pro
Preamp: Schiit Saga
Amp: Pioneer M-22
Speakers: Prana Fidelity Bhava
Subs: Rythmik L12
128x128pts

Showing 4 responses by roberjerman

+1 stereo5! I have two GAS Sons! Am listening to one right now with the DCM Time Windows 1A. Superb sounding combination! As good as today's big-buck gear!
I also have a mono pair of Quad 50's (fully refurbished!) that I might part with. Very rare amps! PM me!
Here's a real sleeper: the Brown Electronic Labs BEL 1001. Designed and hand-built over the years by EE Richard Brown at his home in California. I have his very first one (serial no. 0001). A favorite of HP's at TAS around 1980 and considered reference quality! 
No mention yet of the Quad SS amps: the 303, the rare 50 monos and the 405. I have 'em all - and they have been restored/upgraded! Historically significant circuit designs from Peter Walker!