Personal amp evolution
If we start at the beginning I had a Pioneer SX-450 receiver (1977) which continued to be in use until a few years ago when a relative I gave it to put it out for collection. It still worked. In 1985 I bought an Akai 45 wpc receiver. No recall of the model number- it was a forgettable amp was bought solely on specs vs cost. The Pioneer sounded better. Around 1989 I bought an Adom GFA 545, 100 wpc. It was solid but a bit cold/hard. Their smaller power amp sounded better. In 1990 I bought a pair of Magnepan MG2.6R speakers. The dealer urged me to sell the Adcom and get a more powerful amp. I traded the Adcom for a Bryston 4B. I had the Bryston 10-11 years (during that time I bought a used AR solid state amp- might have been 75wpc? Didnt keep it long) Sold the Bryton and bought a Proceed HPA-2. I also had an Ayre on loan for a bit but liked the Proceed better. Kept the Proceed until 2003 or so and bought a CJ MV60SE Kept the CJ until 2009, sold it and bought a Rogue Temest II Magnum. I thought it was better than the CJ (I was using a CJ LS172 preamp, which to this day remains the finest Pre I ever owned). By summer of 2013 I decided my 10 year run of tubes was over. Sold the Rogue and am happily now with a Pass INT-150 |
In college, I scraped together some money for a Sherwood receiver (no idea what model--from the late 80s), driving Bose 401 speakers. I thought it sounded great at the time. Would love to compare that head to head with my current system. After that, my amp progression was: Denon receiver (again, no idea what model) Carver AV-705 Sunfire Cinema Grand (still use that one for my HT system) Bel Canto Ref 500m monoblocks Primaluna Dialogue Premium And while I do like the Primaluna lot, I think the amp journey will continue over time. |
Starting late 1970s, my college years to present Sherwood receiver Yamaha B2 Acoustat Servos, integral amps w/Acoustat Monitor III speakers Conrad Johnson MV75A1 Luxman 1050 receiver Bryston 2B-LP Bryston 4B Creek 4240 integrated Cary SLA70 Signature Golden Tube Audio SE40 VAC AMP PA90C1, 4 chassis Manley Reference 100/200 Monoblocks VAC AMP PA80/80 Line Magnetics 218IA |
(60s) Minerva receiver (70s) Marantz 2245 (70s) Mac 1900 (80s) Acoustat TNT 120/TNP pre (80s) Acoustat TNT 200/TNP pre (90s) Classe 70/30 pre (90s) Classe CA200/CP60 pre added 2nd Classe CA200 biamped (00s) Rowland Concentra I (simplifying) (now) Rowland Concentra II added Rowland 201s biamped (done with simplifying) (now) Music Reference 200/Rogue 90 Magnum (2nd system) |
Updating further. After 10 years with the Lamms, when I moved to a new home with a much smaller listening room I decided to downsize (principally in the number of pieces) my system. I sold the Lamms and replaced them with a single stereo amp, the VAC Phi 200. Still keeps me nice and toasty on cold days, but now there's only one 90-pound amp to lug around instead of two of them. And there is no drop-off at all in the quality of sound; a truly wonderful amplifier that serves the music well. |
My first amp was an integrated, Sansui AU9900 Then I added a Carver M1.5t Followed by a pair of B&K M200 Sonata Changed my speakers and subsequently changed the amp out to a VTL Stereo 50/50... Great sounding amp when it worked. Picked up a B&K 2140 as a back up. Bought an Anthem Amp 1, one of my favorite amps ever, wish I didn't sell it. Changed speakers again.... needed more power. I put the 2140 back in the system for a while and bought a brand new McCormack DNA 125 a few years ago that I still use. It's a great amp, I think it would cost considerably more to better it than I'm willing to spend right now. I think my next amp is going to be a Conrad Johnson Classic 60...... |
I'd like to say a few words about my latest amp, as it is somewhat off the beaten path. This summer I picked up a vintage GAS Son of Ampzilla. Part of the decision to go with this unit was that Mike Bettinger, who runs GAS Audio, is located nearby. Without going into all the details, not only was it completely reworked but I also opted for the J-FET upgrade. Funny how this is the newest amp I have yet may be the oldest separate I've owned-depending on year of manufacture. |
Color me done ... the last amp I'll likely ever own ...Ha! What a maroon! NOW I have the last amp I'll ever own ... NOT! At least I hope not, even though I love my current amps. So, to update my list: 1. Kenwood receiver. 2. Opera Consonance a120 Hybrid Integrated. 3. Van Alstine Fet Valve Ultra 550. 4. Audio Mirror 45 Watt SET monoblocks. |
Wow this thread has been going on for over a decade. Time to upgrade my old response, slightly. 1972: Realistic STA-14 1973: Fisher 400 1974: Pioneer SX-525 1979: Advent 300 w/ mods 2001: McCormack DNA-0.5DLX 2002: McCormack DNA-0.5DLX SMc Rev C 2006: McCormack DNA-0.5DLX SMC Rev "B+ Gold" This amp still measures up fine,no upgradeitis any time soon. |
Hmm - really interesting question reflects lifestyle evolution: Late 70s-early 80s: Beomaster 4000 receiver Braun LV1020s Mid-80s: PS Audio 200w Adcom/NAD (various) 1988 cj MV75 bridged 90s: 1992 Krell KSA250 Downsized 1995 Classe 100 1998 Krell KST100 2012 VAC Renaissance 30/30 Given that I'm pushing 60 and that my life is very stable AND that I was really happy with the KST100 for 14 years - I think the VAC may be with me for a long time. |
Concord 880 (4-channel, sound-on-sound reel-to-reel, 22Watt tube amp) Lafayette (Pioneer) integrated amp 35 watt?/Bose 501/Pioneer PL-10 'table Pioneer SX-838 (still have), Dual 1228 w/Stanton 681-EEE /Infinity RS-6 Haffler H-1 preamp/Luxman MB-3045 monoblock McIntosh MA6600/Klipsch Cornwall/VPI Scoutmaster w/Grado Sonata |
1. Kenwood Receiver (early 90s) 2. Magnum (British made audio company that is now out of business) 3. Pioneer Elite Receiver 4. NAD Stereo Power Amp 5. Jeff Rowland mono amps 6. McIntosh 5100 Integrated 7. McIntosh 2105 8. Jolida 502P (Tube) 9. Jolida 1000P (Tube) 10. Bob Carver Cherry 180M Tube Monoblocks Of course I am sure I forgot some. |
