Sony Reciever from Dad
Nikko Seperates 1st year in college
Hafler DH500 and then a second DH500 to bi-amp
Sumo Andromeda II (no bass, bad ground humm interaction)
ARC Classic 60 (Liquid music but no bass on my Magnepan IIIa')
Music Reference RM9 (shouldn't have sold it)
ARC D300 Bridged for the center channel
ARC D400 MKII (another shouldn't have sold it)
SIM W5 (YUK bought new returned it to the dealer it sounded awful) also bought a Sim 4070E for the center channel
EAD PowerMaster 2000 (great amp! overkill for my video system when I broke the systems apart and too large to fit in rack)
Sunfire Cinema II Arch (video only, sounds 2d in my audio system)(doesn't generate heat for being in rack and powers inwall pretty well and turn on when signal is sent to it..)
Lamm M1.1's (the final resting place for my audio system) the control of Solid state with the harshness and the 2nd order harmonics of tubes.. this is to quell my urges for tubes.... humm maybe I need to try the Lamm ML1.1 tube amp? |
Yammaha RXV-750 75wpc - Used for 10 years
Denon 4802 125wpc? - Returned after 30 days for refund
Sonic Frontiers PVA-5 125wpc - Still used for center and surround duty in HT
Lexicon NT-512 140wpc - Great amp, but still not what I was looking for. Need to sell soon.
AES-25 Superamp DJH 35wpc push pull. - Now we are getting somewhere.
Next year I might try something with tube rectification. |
Way back I started with a harman kardon tube amp, then a fisher tube amp, then nothing for a long time. Then I got back into audio and purchased a Threshold S-150 amp followed by an Audio Research D-125 amp. My current amp is a set of Quicksilver V4's. The system is sounding better then ever. Just a joy. |
Just got into separates so my list is short. Yammie HTR5560 Yammie RXv2400 Parasound 2200II and currently drooling over Primare's A30 line. |
Started with a Yamaha 200wpc beast that promptly blew up after one hour of playback! The dealer then set me up with an Adcom GFA-555 which was stable and sounded great. I then moved on to a Musical Design D-150. After that, I purchased my first pair of BEL mono-blocks. They were Mk IVs. Now I've upgraded those to Mk V status and bought a few more so I can run full surround. Haven't heard anything better yet. |
Vector Research 9000
Yamaha RX777
Parasound HCA-1500
Pair of Parasound HCA-2200II
Odyssey Stratos Extreme Monoblocks
I love the Odysseys, may try the JC-1 next year. |
Pioneer Receiver
Yamaha Receiver
Proceed BPA
Jolida 302b (Svetlana + NOS tubes)
Next...please help me decide with Sonatas mk I |
An interesting series of events recently took place that made me realize I have an amp I really enjoy, so I'll probably keep my Ayre V-5x for now. Before that it was an Ayre V-3, Pass Aleph 5, Bryston 4BST; Plinius, Musical Fidelity & Creek integrated's; Adcom 565's & 555; Sherwood, Pioneer, Kenwood & Sansui receivers.
My first stereo system started with a 10 watt Sony receiver in 1971. |
Just upgraded this past winter to the new Krell KAV-400xi integrated amp. Best so far, but the Hafler is still going strong in my brother's system. Previously owned:
DeWald integrated tube amp, about 30 WPC (fried) 1960-1978
Nikko integrated ss amp, 40 WPC (sold) 1978-1980
Hafler DH-200 ss amp, 100 WPC (donated to my music starved brother) 1980-2003
Odyssey Stratos ss amp, 150 WPC (sold) 2003-2004 |
Hi guys, this is certainly fun.
Being a tightwad all my life I started with an used JBL integrated 60wpc amp, then traded it up for a new DYNACO integrated 40wpc, after selling it, came a new NAD integrated 20wpc that might be sold soon. Just now realized have been sliding down the wattage stairs. Next logical step would have been going 5wpc SET triode integrated gear... But looking at my wife's expression after just mentioning it convinced me that to preserve my neck in one single piece should aim to something else. Speaking of WAF (wife acceptance factor)...
Current rig is a new Adcom stereo pre-amp (passive mode) paired with an pre-owned Musical Fidelity 120wpc dual mono power amp. This changes took place during a time span of over 35 years...
Happy listening to you all !! |
Just got back into the hobby 2 years ago. So far Rotel 1080 and Levinson 334. In the future, who knows, maybe the Levinson 33h. |
Sansui receiver, Carver M400 (original version), Hafler DH220 kit, Audionics CC-2, c-j MV-75a1 (still own), Bryston 3B-ST. On horizon...Bryston 7B-SST or Classe CA-401.
preamps...NAD 1040 (or was it 1020?), c-j PV-4, c-j PV-6, c-j PF1 (still in service). On horizon... a CAT or c-j ART!
Horizon(is reached?)...when last child finishes college hopefully. |
My progression needs updated.
I previously listed:
Technics integrated
Denon PMA 300V int.
Heath amp
Forte Model 6
Meridian 557
Mark Levinson No.383 int.
Moscode 300 (modified)
Mark Levinson No.383 int.
Since that post:
Innersound ESL
Bat Vk-200
Jeff Rowland Concentra II
Pass X150.5 |
Lloyd's stereo budget combi system
->
Onko stereo reciever
->
Sony stereo reciever
->
NAD AV716 HT reciever
->
Krell KAV-500 HT amplifier
->
Krell KAV-1500 HT amplifier |
NAD 7155, NAD 2200, Threshold Stasis 3, Threshold T200/Genesis Bass Servo/B&K AVR305(HT) Pass Labs X250 |
pioneer 525(1973), pioneer 838, Phase linear 400, Holman 1 (1980-2002), B&K140, B&K 4420....Eagleman |
I can't believe no one has tried or owned any Outlaw amps, I love mine. Beat amp i've owned. |
Rotel 1060
Classe 151
Audio research VS110
Bryston 4BSST
Pass Lab X150.5 |
I started off with a NAD 2200 in 1988. Then the madness started. Mcintosh 2002, Counterpoint SA 12 which began my on and off flirtation with tubes. Then a Classe DR 10, Sonic Frontiers 80, Krell KSA 50s, Cary 300i, Krell 300i, Audio Research CA 50, Conrad Johnson CAV 50, Another Cary 300i, Conrad Johnson Premier 11,Bryston 4BST, Cary 88, Krell 300IL(Stop the Insanity!!!) and now a Pass Labs X250(Sweet # Sixteen). guess What, I'm really happy with it. Will happiness last? I sure hope so!..... Stay tuned. |
Update/ Sonic Frontiers Line 1 SE
Planning to get Bryston power amp. replacing Rogers E20a. |
A little intergrated Electro-Voice from the late 60's,
Marantz 1060 in the 70's to early 80's,
Marantz 8B ever since. |
Marantz 1030 Int.
Bryston 3B
Blue Circle BC 2
Graaf 200 OTL |
Onkyo 504 rs
Symphonic Line RG1 MK11
BAT VK 200
Perreaux 350P
Pass Aleph 30
Leak Stereo 20
OCM 500 |
I must ad,,,I sold my McIntosh MC250, and replaced with a class A 50 w/ch Lazarus hybrid amp,,,,I am very impressed with it! |
Mine from start to finish is much simpler than lots of guys listed here:
Sansui integrated amp(don't remember model no.)(sold)
Akai integrated(don't remember model no.)(sold)
Harmon Kardon HK6200 integrated(sold)
Sonic Frontiers Line 1 (sold)
Sonic Frontiers Power 1(sold)
Denon AVR2802 (home threater)(in use)
Rogers E20a tube amp (2 ch, in use for 2nd sys)
Musical Fidelity B2 integrated (in use for 3rd sys) |
I haven't had as much experience as most of you but here's my personal amp evolution:
Adcom 535 Mk II (gave this to my brother and its a classic IMHO)
Plinius 8150 and then upgraded to 8200 (have this in a second system)
Mark Levinson 383 (have this in my main system)
I would like to try something else in the Mark Levinson line perhaps a 334, 335, or 336. Ultimately I would like to own a pair of 33H's when I can afford them :) |
My evolution has been both progressive and regressive - some regrets but...here it is
Arcam Alpha 3 integrated
Acurus DIA 100
McIntosh MC2100 (bought two and ran them bi-amped)
Apt Holman Amp 1 w/ Holman Pre-amp
Conrad Johnson MF2100 - w/Sonic Frontier SFL-1
McInstosh MC225 tube amp (really regret selling this one)
Now trying the Century 21 A45 Class A integrated (really quite impressive - from China)
Thanks, |
Well I forgot to update my response since I've evolved some more. Went from an Air Tight ATM1 to a pair of Cary 300B Signature monoblocs and I love 'em! |
1951 Telefunken. Electromusic Leslie amps, Metron Power amps,Allen 100 watt tube amps, Converted radar amps, and now,,NAD . Ah well, I have been at this for 45 years now so I only mentioned my favourites. |
dynaco st35(1rst amp given to me by my father when i was 15 in '71 wish i still had it....), pioneer sa8100, pioneer sa9500, h/k(forget model), dynaco st70, proceed hpa2, dynaco mkIIIs, scott 299, dynaco st70 curcio premium mod(still have),AES sixpacs(running currently).... |
Throw in a Hafler 100wpc between the Nikko and Sumo (I forgot to mention). |
Starting with a 45wpc Technics receiver then to a
Nikko 85wpc integrated amp
My first "real separate" was a Sumo Model Nine (60wpc) then
a B&K ST 202 (150 wpc?) on to a
Counterpoint SA-100 (a nice little amp and 100wpc), then an
Aragon 4004 Mk2 (200wpc), great bass and I was definetly "getting there". Next
an Electron Kinetics Eagle 7A (approx. 350wpc) and quite a piece. Followed by a little Jolida SG 302? (or some similar model #)at about 50wpc, which was my first plunge into tube amps (liked it a lot)..
a visit back to solid state with a Pass Labs Aleph 3(30wpc)
that I also liked a lot (especially for a solid state considering I was bitten by tubes w/ the Jolida), and finally to my current VTL MB-125's which I adore... (125wpc in tetrode, about 55wpc in triode). By far the best I've had and am quite happy with. Perhaps the VTL 450's someday or maybe a try of the OTL (Atmasphere or Joule) worlds, or maybe an SET? It's a great hobby. Happy lissnin. |
Sansui AU5500
Denon PMA 550
B&KST140
B&K EX4420
Classe CA150 |
Old Lloyds (Someone gave it to me when I was 10-12y/o)
Sony Integrated
NAD 2150 & 1020 Pre
Carver R900 Receiver
Kenwood L-07 MKII monos (w/mods)
Bryston 4B Pro (old one with iron core x-formers)
Nakamichi PA5
Bryston 4B NRB
Next in line will be either a pair of used 7B ST's or new Simauio. |
Telefunken with wire recorder. Actually worked rater well. |
Boy, my list is pretty pathetic compared to some of you guys out there, but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth.
1)Luxman LV-103(You don't even want to know the rest of the system!)
2)Bryston 4B (old style 4B, but with toroidal transformers)
3)Bryston 7BST monoblocks(figured that I would get something that sounded good, but could drive any speaker that I would consider in the future- I get my tube fix from using a Golden Tube SEP-3 pre-amp). |
McIntosh MA-5100, HK Citation 12, Hadley, Threshold Stasis 3, Bedini BA-801, Blue Circle BC-22 (later upgraded to MkII). |
Built a Dynaco Stereo 120; bought, blew up (flames!), and had rebuilt a Phase Linear 400; went to college, blacked out and woke up with a Counterpoint SA-12; had a protracted drinking binge and paid full retail for a Golden Tube Audio SE-40; had so much fun fixing it, got another and went dual mono; then, recently, added a YBA 3a after eating too many freedom fries; now, am tri-amped and tired. (There might have been a Sumo, an ARC, and some others in there somewhere, as well, or, perhaps it was all some kind of crazy dream.) |
Stereo: NAD receiver, HK receiver then McIntosh power
AV: Onkyo 787, Rotel 991 + 993, Bryston 4B ST + 3 Powerpacs 120 |
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. |
My AMP evolution
Pioneer VSX -xxx receiver
Bang and Olufsen Pentas (the speakers have built in amps)
Macintosh MA-6500 Integerated
Bryston 3B ST
Decware SE 34 Integrated
Cayin Audio Tube 860 Monoblocks |
Sansui receiver
Audire SS stereo amp
Modified Hafler stereo amp
Adcom 555 stereo amp (for electrostatic speakers)
Conrad Johnson MV45 tube stereo amp
Mesa Engineering tube stereo amp - the big one, can't remember model name
Cary 572 SET tube mono amps
Cary 2A3 SET tube mono amps
Transcendent Sound OTL stereo tube amp
AirTight 300B SET stereo tube amp
Sticking with the AirTight and just looking for better match speakers. |
4th grade - Show n' Tell until 9th grade. I acutally used to listen to Led Zeppelin on this thing!
10th Grade - Marantz 22 receiver
18 years old - Onkyo integrated (model eludes me but my uncle still owns and uses it over 20 years later!)
HK Receiver
Yamaha reciever
B&K EX4420
Rotel RMB100s (definite step down)
Anthem MCA-2
BAT VK500
Aragon 8008BB (best SS amp I've owned)
AES Sixpacs (kickin!) |
Forgot an Adcom GFA 555 between the Hafler and MaCormack |
Okay...this will tax my memory:
-one of those all-in-one Sony receivers with record player on top and de-tachable speakers
-Pioneer SX 650(?) receiver
-Kenwood KA-9100 integrated
-Hafler DH 220
-Hafler DH 500
-McCormack DNA1
-McCormack DNA1 upgraded
-Audio Research D400 Mkll
-Musical Fidelity A308CR |
You think I have a good memory.
NAD
Adcom 555 2 in Mono
B&K ST2140
Musical Fidelity A308 Integrated
Remember to take the system as a whole. |
Great Thread!
Sony receiver - STR 2020?
Universal Tiger
Crown DC-300A & AMCRON (Canadian nameplate for same) DC-300A
Mark Levinson ML-11
VTL Tiny Triodes
ARC VT-100
ARC VT-100 MK II |
Denon receiver, Classe CAP 151, Parasound JC-1's |
From Denon AVR-4800 to Aragon 8008MK2 paired with ASR LS-15 preamp. |
Denon POA 2200 amp. I got this in 1990. It was a good amp.
Carver Lightstar 2.0. This amp was amazing. I still have it. One of favorite sounding solid state amps.
Meridian 557 amps bridged. These amps bridged sound great.
Lamm 2.1. These are the best sounding amps I ever heard. |
