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Old Amps that can still Kick Butt

Not being a believer that time necessarily = progress, I would like to offer the following example of a sonic gem that has transcended time and can totally kick butt in a modern milieu:

The Robertson 4010. I got one of these about two years ago because it was in immaculate condition, the price was so low and I was inquisitive. I hooked it up and let it warm up for a couple of days. OMG this thing was in the super amp league: Transparency to die for, slam that you couldn‘t‘ believe for for a 50W amp.. Peter Moncrieffe wasn‘t wrong in his review of this amp: this thing is in the Sterreophile Class A component category hands down. Even after all these years.

What amps have you encountered that have defied time and can still kick butt today?


pesky_wabbit

Showing 4 responses by daveyf

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daveyf
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@ebm  +1
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daveyf
3,003 posts
 
@ebm I don’t think the Rowland 8T is really an ’old amp’. The OP seems to be looking for amps from a much older generation. The Rowland can indeed compete well today, and yes it is a classic and exceptional.
Probably more in line with the OP’s question, would be something like the ARC D70Mk2 or the ARC M100’s, both of which were incredible for their time and still also highly competitive today. ( In fact, i believe there are still a lot of new amp designs that these three will put to shame!)
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daveyf
3,003 posts
 
@douglas_schroeder  Your admiration of Class D amps is interesting. Have you heard some of the better amps mentioned in this thread? My example of the ARC D70Mk2 or the M100's for instance...each of these shows up all of the bleached and bright sounding Class D amps that I have ever heard. YMMV.
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daveyf
3,003 posts
 
@douglas_schroeder Your admiration for Class D ICE amps does indeed tell us how we listen differently! The best Class D amp I have heard is the current Rowland model 925 mono block, and I would not swap my modded Rowland model 8T for it under any circumstances.
With what you posted, I would suspect that you would absolutely dislike the sound of a tube SET, yet IME they can sound absolutely incredible, in the right situation. I will agree that for commercial use where high power, zero heat and longevity are required ( ala a public address system) the Class D amp makes a load of sense ( as does their pricing). For home audio with the goal of ’The sound of live ’unamplified’ instruments in a natural space’---not so much. ( this may change into the future, who knows? BUT as of now in 2021....not happening!)
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