Personal amp evolution
Realistic receiver circa 1971,Pioneer receiver,Yamaha integrated,Nad 3020,Hafler st70,Amber stereo 70,Sumo 9,Bryston 4b,Spectral(100 watt)Grant Lumley,Michaelson and Austin TVA 10,Conrad Johnson MV75a,VTL st 85, Bel Canto EVO 1,Atmasphere s30,Meitner m100 monos,B&K st 200 monos,Sugden ,Creek integrateds, Bell 2418,Blue Circle original mono amps (BC2?),Classe DR 8 mono,and then the ones I have forgotten. |
My evolution began in 1969 with a GE portable record player, the headshell of which was frequently weighted with a penny to prevent skipping. Next came my initial foray into components: an EICO integrated (can't possibly remember model number--this was the 60's, after all) with about 20 watts per side. I built a Dynaco Stereo 120 to replace that. After the Dyna failed about 10 times, I replaced it with a Marantz 250, then a Crown 150. I ventured into dangerous waters with the purchase of a GAS Son of Ampzilla, of which three different units never worked properly. In frustration, I traded for a Luxman integrated. Once I had the means, I finally got a Threshold 400A, which I kept for almost 20 years. The next amp age began with an Aragon 8008BB, which was a very nice advance from the antiquated Threshold, but not nearly as good as the BAT VK-200 which replaced it, with Clayton M100's in between. Only one direction left to go, and that was BAT VK-120 monoblocks, which were wonderful in every respect. I couldn't afford the power needed to run them, however, so now I have the Channel Islands D200's. I am still not completely satisfied, so the evolution will continue as time and budget allow. |
OwnedÂ… Onkyo 105-watt integrated Modified Dynaco ST70 Modified Dynco MkIII monos (regret selling these) Cary SLM-70 monos Cary SLM-100s Atmasphere MA100Â’s MK II Manley Reference 300B Retros MK II Manley Ref 250Â’s Cary SLAM-100 (modified with XLR inputs) GamuT M200 Monos (current) Also tried in my systemÂ…. BAT VK500 47 Labs Gaincard S Spectral DMA100 Sunfire MK I Cary 805-C ASL Hurricanes Plinius SA102 MK II Goldmund M28 |
I started in 1974 with a Pioneer SX-727 receiver. When I discovered the high end in '78, that was replaced by a GAS Son of Ampzilla, which was in turn upgraded around the mid-80s to a B&K ST-140, which I still have as my main power amp. I've recently added a cheap demo pair of Antique Sound Labs WAV 25DT monoblocks (with their matching preamp) just to see if I can recapture some of what I remember of the magic of tubes from back in the day. If that little experiment turns out successfully, I may look into a PrimaLuna Prologue 1 or 2 integrated. |
THANK YOU Mr. Frank Van Alstine ... 1. Kenwood receiver - served me well (I thought at the time) for many years. 2. Opera Consonance a120 Hybrid Integrated - my first foray into hi-end. Thank you Mr. Stephen Harris (playhouseaudio.com) for your kind intro to hi-end sound. But I later decided I wanted more power for my large room, so ... 3. Van Alstine Fet Valve Ultra 550 - power, finesse, extension, and musicality. Color me done. Thank you Mr. Frank Van Alstine for the last amp I'll likely ever own. |
starting in mid-70s,a series of receivers: Fisher,Sanyo,Onkyo then preamps:Rotel RC-970BX,Adcom GFP-750-both with Rotel RB-990BX power amp recently have used various combos of GFP-750,Dynaco PAS-2, PAT-4,& PAT-5 w/the RB-990BX or a pair of McIntosh MC-60s. just got an Anthem Pre 2L & am trying it with the RB990BX also have a NAD C320BEE integrated & a Fisher 700 receiver in other systems |
I've been doing a lot of "evolving" in the last few years Kenwood Receiver ** long gone ** Phase Linear 400 ** sold ** Parasound HCA 2200 ** sold ** B&K M200 Sonata ** Started with 2, now have 6. ** sweet! 2 of them modded at Musical Concepts B&K Ref 4420 ** sold ** Bedini 100.100 MkII ** Still have ** - sweet amp Conrad Johnson MF2100 2 of them vertical biamp. ** sold both ** Ayre V3 ** sold ** Electron Kinetics Eagle 2a ** Still have 2 of them ** Electron Kinetics Eagle 2c prime - ** really sweet amp. ** |
Carver “The Receiver 150” Yamaha RX-V 590 Yamaha RX-V 990 B&K Ref 20 (pre) ATI 1505 VTL ST 85 Adcom GFA 5500 McCormack Deluxe 1 McCormack DNA 225 Perreaux E160 EAD TheaterMaster Ovation (upgraded to Ovation 8){pre/pro} Cinepro 3K6 Mark II EAD PowerMaster 6300 Latest update- Accuphase E-308 intergrated (2nd system) McIntosh MC 2007 and two MC 352's |
First 'real' amp was a Rotel RA 820. Then came a Mission Cyrus One, a NAD 317 with an Rotel RQ970 phono-pre, then came a self built Class A power amp/Musical Fidelity X-Pre, X-LPS and X-PSU combination. Then the Musical Fidelity's changed into an Aragon 24K pre, which eventually got company from a Threshold S/300 poweramp. Now I'm saving for a Threshold S/200 poweramp to bi-amp.......... |
1. 1990. Proton AA-1150 This was a great little amp for college. Good sound, good looks, and impressive amounts of power. 2. 1992. Parasound HCA-2200 This was to be my main amp for a small home theater system in college (yes, I was ambitious and already saving my money for a LaserDisc player). This poor amp was a big dud. It hummed like a banshee, but on a very irregular basis. I did not discover this issue until it was too late to return it to the dealer. I wonder if I just had a lemon or if the Mk II fixed an issue with the Mk I. 3. 1993. NAD 208 THX This was an awesome amp that I held onto for 13 years (I just recently sold it to a friend). This amp was quiet, clean, had lots of power, and never gave me any trouble. 4. 1994. NAD 2400 THX I still have this amp, currently in use on a pair of subwoofers. I have also used this amp in various applications like surround speakers and a 2 channel office system. Like the 208, it's a quiet and trouble free amp. It prefers small speakers though. 5. 1999. Bryston 4B-ST This amp is still in service in my home theater. You simply can't go wrong with a Bryston. 6. 2003. Bryston 14B-SST This is a bruiser of an amp, currently used in my 2 channel bedroom system. It has ridiculous amounts of power and is the quietest amp I have owned (until ASR came along). It will soon be displaced to the home theater by an ASR Emitter I. 7. 2003. Bryston 6B-SST Currently driving the front three channels of my home theater, this guy is the little brother to the 14B. No complaints here. 8. 2006. ASR Emitter I Exclusive Currently waiting for Christmas to come a few days early. I'm not sure how to upgrade from here... |
1.Onkyo integrated something or other. 2.Conrad Johnson solidstate stereo amp(MF something or other) 3.Pass Labs Aleph 5(?),the 60 watt stereo model(should have kept that around). 4.Wavelength Cardinal X-1 5.Viva Solista integrated(for 1 month,after which I went running back to...) 6....Wavelength Venus Copper mono amps(45s at 2 watts per channel) 7.Wavelength Signature 45 silver/cobalt (which I thought would be my last amp) 8.Tom Evans Linear A stereo amp(which really rocked my world for a while) 9.Shindo Cortese stereo amp (F2a) which is best I have ever heard and which I am currently groovin' to. 10.If I upgrade again,will be the Shindo western electric limiteds(but in no hurry to do so). |
In my last post to this thread back in Oct. '02 I had moved to a bigger room and switched from a CJ MV-55 to a pair of VTL MB-185s. These were the only tubes left in my system after changing to solid-state pre and phono amps. Latest power amp switch this past summer was to a McCormack DNA-500, so no tubes left at all. Sonically I don't miss them with this amp; reliability wise I'm enjoying my newfound freedom from care and problems, which translates into more listening to music. |
Getting to this thread late. My quest for that "Holy Grail" started back in 1979 when I purchased a 100 watt Hafler amp coupled with a NAD Preamp running that through Snell C's. Of course there was no Cd's so a turntable was used. From there is has been one amp after another. I did evolve early into tube when the Music Reference RM9 was first introduced in the early 80's. Got some Magnapans MGIII's the tubes couldn't handle the load so went to the Krell KMA 100's. I did not stay there long, I liked the panels so I bought Quads and whet back to tubes, this time an Audio Research SP10 preamp with a D125 amp. I went through the whole SP series of pre's (10,11,12, and 14). That is when I totally had had it with tubes, traded my whole system for a Meridian Digital system. Had that for several years but lost interest in the whole hobby and really did not listen to my stereo for much. The bug struck again, I bought a Wheatfield tube headphone amp that sounded so much better than my big system, the quest again began. I remembered, so I thought, how good that Music Reference RM9 system sounded I again bought one and mated it to some Martin Logan SL3's. I moved from one amp to another within the Audio Research, and Cary line. In 2002 at the CES show I heard my first SET amp. I was blown away with the whole presentation, the best I had heard, even in a very poorly set up room. I bought Cary 2A3 amp mono blockds only to realize that now the speakers needed to replaced. I bought some SET friendly speakers, I went from the 2A3 amps right to the Cary 805c's, from there to Sophia 845 based amps. The 845 tube just did not seem to have the magic that the 2A3 tube had so I tried a pair of Welborne 300b amps. Used them for awhile. I was invited over to a guy's house that had an actively bi-amped SET system. I went straight home and turned my system on, nothing, total disappointment, now what? I now have an actively bi-amped system. An Art Audio Carissa running my mid-base and a 2A3 amp driving a pair of ribbon tweeters. An expensive journey for sure but rewarding. I can't so the search is over but I do know that I will be actively bi-amping for sometime to come. I'm sure I left out some amps that were shoved in during this journey, it has been fun and am looking forward to the continued saga...................Bob |
Rotel 930 Micromega Minium Sim I 5080 YBA Integre DT Monarchy SM 70 with Bellini pre PS Audio HCA-2 + Bellini Quad 909 (CDP99 direct) Cayin AT88 Linar 10 5.1ch - a keeper Looking to add a 2ch tube amp to have best of both worlds: VTL ST 150 or Manley Snapper or Cary CAD211/V12R or Jadis DA7. Preamp is McCormack Micro, a gem. |
I recently acquired Spectron's Musician III amp. It is absolutely magical. If you have very good speakers, you will think that you have added the best subwoofer available. The amp gives the feeling of power like nothing I've experienced. But even further, the highs are incredible, which I didn't expect. My experience in hifi (which goes back to 1958) tells me this is the best amp available at this time. |
Let's see... ... Bogen 35 watt mono tube amp (hand-me down from dad) ... Bogen 17.5 wpc tube receiver (still have it) ... Dynaco Stereo 70 (built it) ... Mac 6100 (repaired it) ... Mac 2120s (pair; bridged, purchased used) ... Krell KSA 80 to KMA 160s (fell off the deep end) ... ARC VT 200 (love it; still have it) Also have a Cary CAD 300sei, which I use for headphone listening and to drive Vandersteen 1Cs (highly underrated for this application in my view) It probably won't end there. |
For me it started with a Scott 299 intergrated amp, this is how I discovered tubes. After I decided that they were for me, it was on to the SET world. So than came the Antique Sound Labs 2A3 Orchid SET, I was hooked instantly. Next I moved into deeper water with a Sophia Electric 300B power amp, and here is where I am now and will be for along time. |
Over the past 25 or so years, I have had several systems, the power amps from first to now were: Kenwood Integrated (model?) SAE 2100 Marantz PM80 DENON PMA2400 Parasound HCA1000(still have) Forte Model 5 (borrowed amp from pal, buying one for myself). The speakers have all been dynamic two way mini monitors. Anybody have opinions on comparative sound quality between the last two amps? I'm still trying to decide... |
I started in 1975 with a Sears Roebuck receiver. In 1977 I purchased a Japanese solid state integrated amp. In 1990 I purchased a B&K ST-140 solid state amp, used various pre-amps with it. In 1993 I bought a Nobis Proteus Pre-amp and Signature 45 wpc tube amp. In 2002 I bought a Magnum Dynalab MD-308 solid state integrated amp which I just sold. In 2007 I bought a JoLida JD1000RC 100wpc tube amp. I have been searching for a long time, for that "liquid midrange". My speaker evolution is even worse in this search. |
How does owning a McIntosh MA6500 Integrated Amplifier sound to you? ________________ McIntosh MA6500 Integrated Amplifier - Get the MA6500 Integrated Amplifier Catalog by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. |
Updated: -Harman Kardon Citation 24 (from 1988 and it still works) -Adcom GFA 555 II (great for loud music/party system, bad with thiels and critical listening) -Muse Model 100 (one of my favorites from long ago) -NAD 314 (still have it, and love it in my son's room) -Dynaco ST 70 (sweet sounding little amp) -Bell Stereophonic Tube Integrated (totally retro tubes out the yin yang) from 50's. -Parasound HCA 800 MK II (didn't do anything for me) -NAD C272 (amazingly clean puncy amp for 450 bucks used) -McCormack DNA 0.5 (sweet midrange, great bass,not very refined treble though) -McCormack DNA 225 (very nice powerful fairly transparent amp, one of the great values out there) -McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe / Smc Rev B (lasted about 2 weeks..excessively bright and annoying, seemed to emphasize sibilance) -Aragon 8002 (stock and then modified, very good very inexpensive amp, punchy bass, open mids, recessed highs,not as good as stock dna 225 on mids/treble but equal in bass drive, to a point of course) -Audio Research 100.2 (this could be the end of the line for me. Most musical amp i've ever had by a long shot) |
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. |
For me it started like this in 1977 : Marantz 2250 B Receiver Yamaha A-1 Integrated amp Hafler DH 200 Amp Sumo Nine Class A amp Ps Audio 2C Plus Amp Conrad Johnson Premier 11 amp Mark Levinson 33 H Mark Levinson 33 Mark Levinson 335 ASR Exclusive Emitter II Blue Version What is next? Who knows. But I can say it has been quite the journey and that is half of the fun. |
My first noisebox was a Technics receiver bought from Monkey Ward's. Quickly replaced by an NAD 2100 which is still pumping strong power. That's it for the "main" system. :) I'm looking for another amp now, though. In ancillary systems, I'm using a Yamaha M-35 for the computer, an Advent Model 300 receiver in the debasement, and a Fisher TX-300 integrated amp in reserve. |
1970-Dynaco SCA-80 integrated (40w/40w) 1971-Sony Power amp "can't remember model but it was one of the best in its time" 1974-1989-I was away from Audio for a time... 1989-Nakamichi Reciever III (37w/37w) 1990-1997-I left Audio again. 1997-Nakamichi Reciever II (50w/50w) 1998-Adcom 545II (100w/100w) 2001-Jolida 302 (40w/40w) "most human sounding" 2003-Linn Majik (33w/33w) "spectacular in small package" 2003-Linn LK 100 (60w/60w) "not as good as Majik amp section" 2004-Linn Klout ( 80w/80w) "my favorite by far, simply stellar" 2005-Pass Labs Aleph 30 (30w/30w) "nice detail" 2007-Classe CA-100 (100w/100w) "very musical" I would love to return to an all Linn system. |
Update from Nov 05': Carver 1.0(Yamaha C80/Polk Jr+/B&W CM2 Concept 90). Adcom 565's(Sumo Athena/B&W 802 Series 2). Classe 15(same as above). Plinius SA100 Mk II-later upgraded to Mk III(Blue Circle BC3/BC3000/Merlin VSM-SE/Millenium). BAT VK75(Hovland HP100/Merlin Millenium). Antique Sound Lab 1009's(Hovland HP100/Merlin VSM-M/ASL Twinhead/VSM-MX. Ars-Sonum Filarmonia(Merlin VSM-MX with "e" upgrade coming soon). Each configuration was said to be my last...we'll see. |
I will list home theater amps only. (1) Pioneer 497?? Cost 250. (2) Kenwood 509 cost 399. (3) Nad t761 cost 500 (rebuild). (4) Audio refinement pre 5 and 5 marantz ma500 monoblocks cost 800 for pre 750 for monoblocks. (5) Next came audio refinement multi 5 cost 1250. (6) Finally!! Audiorefinement Pre 5 (cost 800) Audiorefinement Multi 5 (cost 1250) and Audiorefinement Multi 3 (cost 675) and Nad 2400Thx (cost 250). I biamp with the multi 5 for the mids the multi 3 for the tweeters and the nad 2400thx for the surround tweeters. I use a 5 channel 2way diy crossover (cost 300) and 8 diy passive volume controls (cost 530). Total cost around 3800 for killer amp and pre sound with great analog volume control. The nad has seperate volume controls. I can change the volume on any of the 5 tweeters (Focal Tlr) or any of the 5 mids (Focal 7w's). Sub amps are another story. I lot of this gear was bought and sold right here on audiogon. If I was to do it all over I would buy 5 Nad 2400Thx amps around 250 a piece with The Audiorefinement pre 5 cost 800 and the 5 channel 2 way crossover cost 300. Total cost would be 2350 a saving of around 1500 and less cables. Phil |
Principal 2CH systems: *1950s vintage Pilot tube mono receiver with RCA speaker (mid 60s) *Kenwood receiver with Altec VOTT(early 70's) *Technics receiver with ESS AMT1 (late 70's) *Nakamichi Stasis receiver with Fried floorstanders(mid 80's) *Bryston 4NRB with Magnapan 3.3R(early 90's) *ARC VT130 with Wilson W3/P2(mid 90's) *BAT VK75SE + Cary 2A3SE w/Merlin VSM (Y2K to present) The modder's bug struck me around Y2K & has extended the life of my current amps for the foreseeable future...V-Caps almost deserve a category of their own. |
