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
Well, I've gone through a few units now so I guess I am now qualified to enter a response. :-)

1987 when I didn't know anything (don't think I still do but that's a different matter): Luxman LV-111

2000: Rotel RSX-972 Reciever. For my Home Theater.

Decided to start a second 2-channel only system

2002: Rotel RA-1060

2004: Anthem Amp-1 (using Rotel 1060 as the pre-amp)

2004: Anthem TLP-1 pre-amp to use with the Amp-1.

2005: Musical Fidelity A3.2 CR pre-amp with the Amp-1

2006: Anthem Pre-2L preamp (bought from Audiogoner and
sitting in shop 3 weeks after I received it and still waiting for the repairs.).

2007 (last week in fact): DK Design VS-1 MK II (Glad I didn't read any of the Audiogon threads on this one before buying it. Would have throughly confused me. I got it for a little more then half price from a local dealer so I have full warranty and all that). I am not a critical listener and don't have the deep undestanding or experience with really high end equipment that some of you have, but I can discern basic differences in musicality, bass and highs. So far I find this unit to be the best of all I have had (still have) in those terms. I feel I could listen to it very long without getting fatigued. I also find when I feel like turning it up it's not a problem with this unit. With the Amp-1 it starts to hurt my ears if I turn it up too much. Now, I just need to put a tape or something on the loopy meter which is terribly distracting.
I am pretty sure I am good for a few years now, unless I get some killer deal on a used high-end amp. Although that's doubtful as the higher end amps even at used prices are far out of my reach. The DK is pretty well at the limits of my pocketbook as it is.
-- Sanjay
Started with the humble Musical Fidelity B200 integrated.
Jumped to McCormack TLC-1 driving Music Reference RM9s.
Then Diva Classic 100 driving Unison Research Smart845 monos.
Changed the Smart845s to Lazarus H-1B Hybrid.
Finally upgraded to a full Diva amplification :
Diva Classic One pre, driving Diva Blue Sky Signature.

Update:
Quite by accident, I heard the Sanders ESL stereo amplifier driving a Vandersteen 2CE Sig and my re-collection of this spk driven by the Diva was good, but this was something better. So I arranged for a home trial and the Sanders now resides in my home stereo setup, driving the Cabasse Baltic/Thor II.

Brief description of Sanders' sound:
Fast, detailed, pure tones, excellent imaging, deep/tight bass. I would call it a Darsteel on steriods. Pure mids/highs, tight and controlled bass.
I bought a Marantz SR-73 in 1994 which was joined by a Carver 100wpc integrated in 1996. I replaced the SR-73 with an SR-82mkII in 1997. I sold the Carver integrated and replaced it with an original Carver Reference Lightstar and Lightstar Direct preamp setup in 1998. In 1999, I sold all of my previous equipment and dropped back to a Marantz SR-92mkII for a while. That was joined by a Rotel RSX-1065 in 2003. Now I am looking for something better than all of the above.
The most important ones.
My first Stereo was a Realistic Receiver was Black with a green dial 20w/ch with 2 metalic speaeker with a dome silk tweeter and a 4" woofer christmas present of my father, I was 14. WAS HEAVEN FOR ME AT THAT TIME.
:-)Luxman L-1 My first buy 16 years old,my ex-still have it on her living room :-) B&O 1900 first warm sound I had. :-) Wahrfedale 2050A this one drop on my lap. Till today I have it, the only reason that never sold this amp it's closed sound to the 7T& 15, weeker on the low section but very good amp. :-)and now Audio Research SP9 & D90-B.
Multiple Kenwood 70's integrated amps, then Kenwood Basic M-2, Adcom GFA-555II, Rotel RB-1090, Nuforce 9, Nuforce 9SE, then back to Rotel RB-1090 (had to rebuy one after selling the first one). Happy again now that I have the Rotel back.