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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?


128x128pesky_wabbit
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ps
744 posts
 
Vintage tube amps in which dried-out capacitors blow up. Now that’s one serious, memorable kick in the ass!

FWIW, I had one of those Robertsons back in the day, and thought it was okay but not great.  Replaced it with an Electrocompaniet Anniversary Signature with far better results.
asin
26 posts
 
Mark Levinson 333.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/class-d-purifi-eigentakt-mark-levinson-333-benchmark-ahb2-lis...
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
Vintage tube amps in which dried-out capacitors blow up. Now that’s one serious, memorable kick in the ass!


yes we sure do need to define what ’kick ass’ means, and/or who or what kicks who’s ass... 😂😂😂😂
jffyg
53 posts
 
Krell FPB series
Van Alstine Omega 3 440HC
Musical Design D140I
Mac 7100
VSP Labs TransMos150 Gold
Creek 4340SE
BK Sonata Series Amp

This is such a great post a true trip down memory lane...
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
well if we are strolling down memory lane...

amber 70
forte 4a
bel 1001 
muse 100
bedini 25 
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jmeyers
126 posts
 
My newest amp is 21 years old this year: a Krell FBP 200c. Older is my Eagle 2A; my oldest at 46 years is my perfectly functioning SAE MkIV DM, which powers my secondary system (also with an Audio Research SP-9B preamp) that has a played several times each week. 
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arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
Loooong time ago, my friend (RIP, Asit)
worked for roadrunner records, went to the recording studio here near him in Chicago, Suffocation, Deicide, all the 80’s roadrunner bands recorded there!,!!  Was awesome! Met Suffocation,Deicide, King Diamond, and so many other bands in the studio. 
they had the B&W 80? In the studio, and ran everything with Threshold amps.

   They are still relevant and amazing!!
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tattooedtrackman
883 posts
 
My Krell FPB 600. Still kicks ass along with my B&W Matrix 800. 
fruitloopsr
80 posts
 
My Krell 300S Still awesome
stibin
12 posts
 
Sony TA-N77ES. Still very much sought after.
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lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
So many great amps listed in this thread.  I’m about to move overseas in just under a month so now I’m on this shoe box sided British integrated amp phase and have had an Onix OA21s & OA 20/2 which were both excellent mid 80’s amps.

Now I have an original Linn Majik I and a Meridian 551 and both are quite good.
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