2. amps-preamps
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Personal amp evolution

Seeing the over night success of the speaker evolution thread, it may be interesting to see what type of amp(s) we have all run. Same deal as the other thread-we will sort of create a puzzle of our systems you'll have to visit multiple threads to put everything together!!! ;)
For me I started:
Adcom GFA-565 monoblocks
Rotel RB-990bx
Jeff Rowland Design Group Model 5
Balanced Audio Technology(BAT) VK-60

either a CAT JL2, BAT VK-75se or Tenor 75Wp on the horizon.
tireguy

Showing 8 responses by lou_setriodes

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
Here's my amp/int amp/rec'r journey from 1984 to 2008:

1. yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp, Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat, TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli's), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec'r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec'r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC 80 watt class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp

And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Korneff, 6bg6, Onix, the B&K's, Paolis, gainclones

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn't mate up with the MR preamp & wish I had a PV5), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (tuner fabulous but early SS harsh sounding amp)


lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
Here's my amp/int amp/rec'r journey from 1984 to 2012:

1. yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp, Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat, TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli's), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec'r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec'r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC 80 watt class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp
25. Audio Space Mini-Galaxy II
26. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded
27. Tandberg 3030 receiver

And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Korneff, 6bg6, Onix, the B&K's, Paolis, gainclones

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn't mate up with the MR preamp & wish I had a PV5), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (great tuner but early SS harsh sounding amp)
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
Here's my amp/int amp/rec'r journey from 1984 to 2015:

1. Yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp & Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli's), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec'r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec'r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded Conn organ amp
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC AX-55, 80 watt Special class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp
25. Audio Space Mini-Galaxy II
26. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded
27. Yamaha AX-550 int amp
28. Tandberg 3030 receiver
29. Fleawatt TPA3122 D2 Soft Maple amp
30. Fleawatt cigar box amp TPA3122
31. Fleawatt TDA7297 Zebrawood
32. Optonica SM-1515B int.
33. Onix OA-20/2
34. Ditton Elan DI-260

And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Korneff, 6bg6, the Onix's, the B&K's, Paolis, the Fleawatt's, and the Ditton Elan

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn't mate up with the MR preamp & wish I had a PV5), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (great tuner but early SS harsh sounding amp)
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
2 aditional pieces in 2015:

35. Denon DRA-700 receiver
36. Antique Sound Lab MG-si15DT

Surprisingly good sounding receiver & very nice Single Ended Triode / Pentode integrated amp :)
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
Here’s my amp/int amp/rec’r journey from 1984 to 2017:

1. Yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp & Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli’s), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec’r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec’r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded Conn organ amp
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC AX-55, 80 watt Special class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp
25. Audio Space Mini-Galaxy II
26. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded
27. Yamaha AX-550 int amp
28. Tandberg 3030 receiver
29. Fleawatt TPA3122 D2 Soft Maple amp
30. Fleawatt cigar box amp TPA3122
31. Fleawatt TDA7297 Zebrawood
32. Optonica SM-1515B int.
33. Onix OA-20/2
34. Ditton Elan DI-260
35. Denon DRA-700 receiver
36. Antique Sound Lab MG-si15DT
37. Tandberg TIA-3012

And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Music Ref RM9, Korneff, 6bg6, the Onix’s, the B&K’s, Paolis, the Fleawatt’s, ASL, and the Tandberg 3012

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn’t mate up with the MR preamp & wish I had a PV5), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (great tuner but early SS harsh sounding amp)


lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
Very nice freediver especially when you made the move to tubes.  I’m still playing around making changes like sampling different flavors of ice cream.  I listed the preamps used with the amps as I believe it gives more useful information.  I’m downsizing soon back to an integrated and one less box soon.  But to update, here’s what I’ve had up to date:

Here’s my amp/int amp/rec’r journey from 1984 to 2020:

1. Yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp & Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli’s), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec’r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec’r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded Conn organ amp
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC AX-55, 80 watt Special class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp 
25. Audio Space Mini-Galaxy II (EL84 int)
26. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded
27. Yamaha AX-550 int amp
28. Tandberg 3030 receiver
29. Fleawatt TPA3122 D2 Soft Maple amp 
30. Fleawatt cigar box amp TPA3122
31. Fleawatt TDA7297 Zebrawood
32. Optonica SM-1515B int.
33. Creek 4330
34. Onix OA-20/2
35. Ditton Elan DI-260
36. Denon DRA-700 receiver 
37. Antique Sound Lab MG-si15DT 
38. Tandberg TIA-3012
39. early B&K ST140/Technics SU-9070 pre
40. Gemtune GS-01
40a.  GemTune GS-01 / Aragon 24 K preamp
41. Muse Model 100 amp/Model 1 preamp
42.  Custom EL84 amp / Museatex AVC1 preamp
43.  Nikko Alpha 130 / Museatex AVC1 preamp
44.  Jim McNally 6B4G SET / Museatex AVC1 pre
45.  Amber Series 70 / Museatex AVC1
45a.  Custom Dual 3118 chip amp / Museatex AVC1


And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Music Ref RM9, Korneff, 6bg6, the Onix’s, the B&K’s, Paolis, the Fleawatt’s, ASL, Tandberg 3012, Muse combo, GemTune GS-01

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn’t mate up with the MR preamp), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (great tuner but early SS harsh sounding amp) 

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 
Here’s my amp/int amp/rec’r journey from 1984 to 2019:

1. Yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp & Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli’s), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec’r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec’r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded Conn organ amp
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC AX-55, 80 watt Special class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp
25. Audio Space Mini-Galaxy II
26. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded
27. Yamaha AX-550 int amp
28. Tandberg 3030 receiver
29. Fleawatt TPA3122 D2 Soft Maple amp
30. Fleawatt cigar box amp TPA3122
31. Fleawatt TDA7297 Zebrawood
32. Optonica SM-1515B int.
33. Creek 4330
34. Onix OA-20/2
35. Ditton Elan DI-260
36. Denon DRA-700 receiver
37. Antique Sound Lab MG-si15DT
38. Tandberg TIA-3012
39. early B&K ST140/Technics SU-9070 pre
40.  Gemtune GS-01
41.  Muse Model 100 amp/Model 1 preamp

And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Music Ref RM9, Korneff, 6bg6, the Onix’s, the B&K’s, Paolis, the Fleawatt’s, ASL,  Tandberg 3012 & Muse combo

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn’t mate up with the MR preamp), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (great tuner but early SS harsh sounding amp) 

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
673 posts
 

Updated for 2022:

 

Here’s my amp/int amp/rec’r journey from 1984 to 2022:

1. Yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp & Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli’s), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec’r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec’r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded Conn organ amp
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC AX-55, 80 watt Special class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp
25. Audio Space Mini-Galaxy II (EL84 int)
26. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode - moded
27. Yamaha AX-550 int amp
28. Tandberg 3030 receiver
29. Fleawatt TPA3122 D2 Soft Maple amp
30. Fleawatt cigar box amp TPA3122
31. Fleawatt TDA7297 Zebrawood
32. Optonica SM-1515B int.
33. Creek 4330
34. Onix OA-20/2
35. Ditton Elan DI-260
36. Denon DRA-700 receiver
37. Antique Sound Lab MG-si15DT
38. Tandberg TIA-3012
39. early B&K ST140/Technics SU-9070 pre
40. Gemtune GS-01
40a. GemTune GS-01 / Aragon 24 K preamp
41. Muse Model 100 amp/Model 1 preamp
42. Custom EL84 amp / Museatex AVC1 preamp
43. Nikko Alpha 130 / Museatex AVC1 preamp

43a. Nikko Alpha 130 / DB Systems 1a
44. Jim McNally 6B4G SET / Museatex AVC1 pre
45. Amber Series 70 / Museatex AVC1
46. Custom Dual 3118 chip amp / Museatex AVC1

47. PS Audio 2C+, PS Audio IVH preamp, ST1 tuner

48.  Acurus DIA-100

49. Fleawatt Strayhorn TPA3116D2 amp & matching Kenny Burrell 5670 Tube Buffered Volume Control

50. Linn Majik I int amp

51. Meridian 551 int amp


And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Music Ref RM9, Korneff, 6bg6, the Onix’s, the B&K’s, Paolis, the Fleawatt’s, ASL, Tandberg 3012, Muse combo, GemTune GS-01

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn’t mate up with the MR preamp), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (great tuner but early SS harsh sounding amp)

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