Old SS amps

In 1979, I purchased a McIntosh MC2120 power amp for $800, if I recall correctly, from which I graduated to Odyssey monobloc amps in early 2024.  The 2120 was in use the entire 45 years, less one month in the early 2000s for a refurb, which included an LED, capacitors, and other minor parts replacements, which cost me about half of the original purchase price.  The amplifier performed superbly, and I upgraded because I realized that I would better sound with more power for the speakers, and I actually considered seeking another MC2120 to bi-amp the speakers, but I was convinced to purchase more powerful monobloc amps.  With appropriate care, SS amps can serve a long time quite well. 

Many older power amps are still excellent - check them out and have them recapped if they need it. I still run small production Class A amps like the Belles A, a pair of bridged Classe DR3 VHC, a stereo Classe DR3, a Jeff Rowland 5, and a Robertson  4010 in various systems,

@jasonbourne71:

My Eagle 2 still works (and sounds) fine. I sold my Bedini 25/25 when it needed it's transformers replaced. I paired it only with QUAD 57 ESL's.

I never had a BEL 1001, but still have a PS Audio 200C, which I use with the bass panels of my Magneplanar Tympani T-IVa speakers. I guess I could have included the PS Audio amp in my list, but I don't know how it rates when compared with the others (I haven''t heard it in a while).

@bdp24 Was the Tympani Bass Panels used in Conjunction with the 57's?

I'm assuming in recent times the Bass Panels from a 25ish Year Old Speaker to augment a 65ish Year Old Speakers Bass.

 The Circular Economy is thriving.

If Yes to my assumption, I would like it if you would be willing to share more.

@pindac: No but using Tympani bass panels with Quads is a very interesting idea! The problem for me would be the required room size; the two Tympani bass panels are about 40 inches wide, the Quads about 34". Side-by-side the Tympani/Quad pairing requires just over 6 feet per channel! That 12 feet (for both channels) plus say 8 feet between left and right speakers requires 20 feet, and that’s with the Tympani/Quad pairing being right against the side walls. 

In the 90’s I put my Quads on top of ESS Transtatics, the Transtatics laid on their sides (20" tall when so placed). I used the Transtatics as subs; they feature a transmissionline-loaded KEF B139 woofer (Dave Wilson used a pair of that woofer in each of his original 1970’s WAMM super speaker).

In the 80’s and 90’s the Finnish company Gradient offered dipole/open baffle subs designed specifically for both Quad 57’s and 63’s. Those subs also served as bases for their respective speakers. The dipole/open baffle sub now offered by GR Research and Rythmik Audio is a much improved version of the ob/dipole design, and work splendidly with all dipole/panel speakers, including of course Quads. My Quads are now in storage, as I am currently listening to Eminent Technology LFT-8b’s and LFT-4’s. The GRR/Rythmik OB/Dipole Sub may be used in place of the LFT-8b’s stock 8" sealed woofer; the LFT planar-magnetic driver plays down to 180Hz (crossing over to the 8" dynamic woofer), and while "normal" subs can typically play no higher than 100-120Hz, the GRR/Rythmik OB/Dipole woofer can be used up to 300Hz.