Pioneer SA 6500-Integrated
Yahmaha 1010-integrated
Nad power amp (model eludes me at the moment).
Classe' Ten
and in my dreams-four Wytech Opals. |
When I started with this disease we all have (1986), it was a Carver amp. Two years later i bought a PS Audio 200C and it was wonderful, giving me good service without a repair ever. Just recently bought a Belles 350A from Jman66, and it sounds great, just what i was looking for. |
Back again....In this order, going back some 25 years:
Akai Receiver
Nakamichi Stasis Receiver
Van Alstine Omega III 440HC
Electrocompaniet ECI-4 SE Integrated Amp
Spectron Musician II
Parasound Halo JC-1
ASL Hurricane 200DT
Berning ZH270
Joule Electra VZN-100
Plinius SA-102
Ayre V-5X
BAT VK-600 w/BP
McCormack DNA-500 (current, and loving it!) |
Updated:
1980 - Akai something-or-other
1984 - Naim Nait (the first version)
1985 - Musical Fidelity A1
1986 - Cyrus II/PSX
1994 - SimAudio 4070
2003 - Sugden Au51P
2003 - KR18 BSI
2003 - Coincident MP300B
2003 - Wavelength Triton Blue
2004 - deHavilland Aries 845G
2004 - Canary CA-339
2005 - Audion Silver Night PX25
I just took delivery of the Audion. I think I'll be standing pat for a while - Nirvana beckons. |
Onkyo TX-787, Rotel RDV-1098, Theta Dreadnaught |
Lafayette SQ 4-Ch integrated, 3W/channel
Pilot 225 25W/channel
NAD 3020
NAD 3140
ODL HT2
Odyssey Stratos monoblock
Odyssey Stratos Xtreme monoblocks |
Pioneer something reciever
NAD 208 Thx
NAD 218 Thx
Parasound 2205a
Parasound A21
Parasound 1206 (still have)
McIntosh 502
Bryston 14 SST
Innersound ESL 300 MKIII (great amp, still using)
Musical Fidelity NuVista 300 (Bi-amping Maggies with the Innersound and this) |
Started here:
1. Sony integrated HT Proc (Best Buy new in 1999)
2. Yamaha integrated HT Proc of (Best Buy 2002)
3. Pioneer Elite integrated HT Proc of (Best Buy-ish 2004)
Here it begins really:
4. Outlaw 950 pre w/ Outlaw 7100 multi ch amp
5. Levaing HT alone for a while bought OCM 200
6. Bought OCM 500
7. Bought OCM 88 Preamp
8. Bought wife diamond ring |
Sounds like your my age!! |
It's getting fuzzy after all these years
Onkyo
Nikko
Nakamichi
Dennon
Hafler
McCormack
Threshold
Musical Fidelity
Blue Circle (this is it for a long while) |
I've recently found well designed integrated amps that outperform top level separates...i.e...Krell 400xi is an amazingly dynamic, transparent and extended unit with tonal color on par with the best available. With the right cabling it is a giant killer!! |
Mine is pretty short, and at this point I can't see it getting any longer anytime soon...
Sony Pro-Logic Receiver (don't remember the model)
Music Reference RM-9
Lamm M2.1
The Lamms may very well be here for life. I can't find a flaw in them, and the only things that still intrigue me are a few megabuck SETs. |
Onkyo TX-11 (1983), Onkyo Integra TX108 (1986), Threshold T-100 (1997) still have it, Threshold T-200 (2005) here to stay. |
Sony ST 515 (1978 still going strong. Gifted it to a friend's college going son. Was his first real upgrade and was he thrilled!).
Marantz ST 4800 (1998)for a separate HT system in the bedroom.
Arcam FMJ A 22 (2000).
Arcam FMJ P25 (2001).
Bryston 4BST(2002).
Bryston BP 25(2002)
ARC LS2B(2003)
Bryston 14 BST(2003)
ARC SP 16 (2004).
Marantz SR 5300 for HT.
The 14 BST blew up a few days back. Plan to trade in the 14 BST for a new 14 BSST, subject to a satisfactory deal with the local Bryston dealer.
Its been a long and enjoyable journey.
Happy listening. |
I have a Samsung/Luxman amp: http://public.fotki.com/Thorens/samsung_irreal/100_0327_new.html ,Luxman D-500 CD player and Ecouton/Audiolabor LQL 150 speacers.Also vintage Marantz Model 6350 LP player,Pioneer CT 950 tape deck and SONY TC 765 Reel-to-Reel.Second AMP Symphonic Line RG-9 Mk3. Samsung MORE better,than SL. |
Started at 17 years old with an NAD, then went to:
Denon
Rotel
B&K
EAD
PS Audio HCA-2
Pass X-250
Pass X-350
Classe 201
I now have a Bel Canto Evo4 Gen2 running bridged which I think will stick around a while. The only other one that I loved was the big Pass X-350, but I had to sell it for financial reasons at the time, that was a hell of an amp, it would be a good shootout between the BC and Pass. |
Pioneer, Rotel, Bryston, Classe, Gryphon |
I stick with stereo. No multi-channel nonsense. I like to keep things relatively simple (considering the possibilities).
1972: Dynaco SCA80Q integrated amp (kit, not a good start)
1973: Marantz 1060 integrated amp (much better)
1973: Marantz 240 pwr amp w/ Dynaco PAT-5 pre
1974: Marantz 240 pwr amp w/ Marantz 7T pre
1975: Marantz 240 pwr amp w/ DB System DB1a pre
1976: 2 Dynaco ST70 modified tube monoblocks w/ DB Sys. pre
1977: Julius Futterman H3aa monoblocks w/ DB Systems pre
1980: Modified Dyna ST70 (6SN7 input section) w/ DB Sys. pre
1983: 2 McIntosh MC40 tube amps w/ ARC SP6B tube pre
1983: Also Bedini 25/25 class A transistor amp, secondary
1985: Julius Futterman tube monoblocks w/ ARC SP6B tube pre
1986: Julius Futterman monoblocks w/ NYAL NCP-2 tube pre
1990: NYAL NCP-2 tube pre into powered Meridian M20 speakers
1994: NYAL NCP-2 tube pre into powered B&O 8000 speakers
1997: Golden Tube SE100 tube amp w/ N.E.W. P3 tube pre
1999: Luxman 3045B tube monoblocks w/ NEW P3 tube pre
1999: Also Acoustic Masterpiece M-101 SE KT88 amp
2002: Audion Silver Night 300B integrated amp for music
2002: Audion Sterling KT88 ETSE integrated amp (for rock)
2005: 2 Audion Black Shadow 845 tube monoblocks w/ Audion Premier 1.0 tube preamp.
2005: Also A/V system uses 2 Audiopax 88 tube monoblocks w/ Django TVC (Transformer Volume Control) using the 6db gain option.
Notes: After a 30 year tour of duty in my brother's systems, my original Marantz 240 is back in my hands. Since 1997 using linestages, my phono preamps have been:
1998: EAR MC3 transformer + Wright Wpp tube RIAA section
2001: Bel Canto Phono-1
2004: Audion Premier phono preamp
This year I returned to a full-function preamp, the Audion Premier 1.0 for line and phono, with Blackhead transformer. |
Onkyo 2 channel reciever
Onkyo 5 channel
Onkyo 7 channel
Parasound
Rotel |
Sony receiver
Adcom GFA 535 x2 (biamp, 60wpc ea)
McCormack DNA-1
BAT VK-500 |
Lafayette integrated (a25?)
Marantz 4300 (left it with the ex-wife who promptly got rid of it, among other things)
Adcom 555 I
Golden Tube Audio SE-40
Golden Tube SE-100 (packed away with a shot resistor)
Conrad-Johnson Premier 11A (packed away, makes occasional appearances)
Conrad-Johnson Premier 140 (my mainstay)
These span a 38 year period. The last two are my favorites but they all had/have their areas where they shine and all have very, very good memories associated with them. |
Started with tubes, went through some Solid State, now back to mostly tubes. I'm a Packrat, get rid of little, don't upgrade so much as add systems (Bedroom, Basement, Home Theatre, "Listening Room", Living Room, daughter's room = 6 systems)
Pilot (monaural) AF850 in Garrard console (still have in a box somewhere)
Dynaco ST-70 (factory wired, now modified, see below)
McIntosh MA-5100 (still use)
McIntosh MC-240 (girlfriend stole)
Carver ?? (gone, thank god)
Pioneer Elite M-91 (strong & harsh & gone)
Classe CA150 then CA200 (still use)
then the vintage tube bug hit...
Fisher SA-100 (sweet!)
Eico HF-81 (still use)
rebuilt my ST-70 from high school with Alan Kimmel/Welborne mod (still use)
Bottlehead Paramour 2A3 (in process)
looking for a modern small tube amp, but haven't fallen in love with any yet (Jadis? Manley? VTL?)
I spend a lot more on LP's than I do on equipment and have NEVER had a "state of the art" system. But it's certainly easy to revisit my old sound, cuz I still have it somewhere! |
Wow! A short list. A Stromberg-Carlson mono reciever with a wire recorder and 78 turntable (from my grandparents) with great FM reception. Next a Dynaco Stereo 120 Power amp. Last a pair of Kenwood L-07m II's. I have had those for 20+ years and still love em. |
Solid state to tubes, back to solid state. Been rough matching speakers with all these guys.
"Best Buy" Sony Receiver
Harmon Kardon Receiver
Norh SE-9
Decware Zen Select
Sophia Electric Baby
Cayin TA-30
Arcam Diva A65 Plus
Onix A-120
Also have a Sansui 9090 (~1972) really sounds amazing. |
I started listening to my fathers MC30, and Heath WM-4, then I had:
Pioneer reciever ca '73
Lux 3035 Reciever
Mitsubishi DA7C
H.H.Scott 299B
Dynaco MKIV (pr monoblocks)
Music Reference RM-9
Future:? I have had the RM-9 as my reference amp for quite some time, I just re-tubed it and it still works fine.....
Would love to look at Airtight or Hoveland. |
Small Sansui Receiver ca. 1975
Sony TC630 (?) integrated amp section from tape.
Big heavy Sansui Receiver ca. 1973
Rotel 970 integrated
Proton receiver ca. 1986
B&K ST202+ Rebiased and fan cooled (amazing sound at 50W class A) cat knocked fan down, amp melted.
PSE Studio IV Euphonic little 120 WPC amp. Great imaging and easy euphonic sound. Detail level amazing with good PC.
Bryston 4B NRB - Great bass and decent imaging. Distinctly "pro" sound from midrange center through brittle treble. Improves a little with good PC. Clips at 95-98db SPL on Magnepan Tympani depending on bass content.
Biamp with the above two. Great match for Tympani. Bryston still clips on the bass at 100-105 db SPL. (lower with passive crossover, higher with active crossover).
Triamping with active crossover
Bass: Crown 5002VZ 2500 WPC at 4 ohms WOW bass. Not good for anything else unless you have the most laid back of speakers - due to thin "pro sound" high frequency heat. Grand imaging though.
Mid: 300hz to 5khz Classe DR-9 Great imaging, wonderfully full and nearly lush upper midrange (with good PC) lacks some dynamics. Images more specific and stable than with the PSE or Bryston 4B NRB)
Bryston 4B NRB imaging not quite as good. More dynamic than DR-9.
Treble: Classe DR-9 smooth and extended, but a little thin clearly outclasses PSE, Bryston).
Bryston is smooth (with PC - stock cord is a joke) but heats the treble as output increases. |
aiwa mini system (13 years old, still have)
sony LAM-Z10 minidisc/cd mini system (2 years old, still have)
denon 3803 receiver (owned for a year)
jadis JA30 (5 months old, will always have)
i love all of them. |
In this order, going back some 25 years:
Akai Receiver
Nakamichi Stasis Receiver
Van Alstine Omega III 440HC
Electrocompaniet ECI-4 SE Integrated Amp
Spectron Musician II
Parasound Halo JC-1
ASL Hurricane 200DT
Berning ZH270
Joule Electra VZN-100 (still have)
Plinius SA-102 (awaiting)
Ayre V-5X (awaiting) |
Marantz 4300
Creek 4330R
Jolida 1701A
Antique Sound Labs AQMG15DT
Mistral LFD
Antique Sound Labs AQ1001DT
Audiomat Arpege
Channel Islands VMB1 monoblocks
Granite Audio 861 monoblocks
Bel Canto EVO2I gen2
Plinius 9200
Jungson JA88C
PrimaLuna Prologue 1
Audio Zone AMP-1 (on the way)
I think this covers it for the last 5 yrs or so. Still have the ASL1001, Granite Audio, Plinius, Jungson and Primaluna. Mostly tubes, or slightly tube SS. |
I started with a Harmon Kardon receiver, replaced it with
2) JVC M3030, a pure class A 30 wpc amp.
3) Forte model 5
4) Aragon 8008st
5) Krell FPB 200
6) Cary V12 signature monoblocks (borrowed from a friend, just wait till I get him back for that!)
7) Krell FPB 700cx
8) I just bought a Classe Omicron here on AudiogoN. SHould be in my listening room by Wednesday. I'll be glad to have music again. |
To the best of my recollection:
1970's in high school now vintage fisher tube amp
and also a harman kardan tube amp.
1980's Threshold Stasis s-100 I think it was. 100 watts per side. I sold it cheap to my dad who's really enjoyed it.
Late 1980's Audio Research D-125.
Currently Quicksilver V4 mono's. |
This list will look silly as often the quality of my amp went down as I needed to pull money from my system to support another hobby. Here goes:
Harman/Kardon 330c
Harman/Kardon 730
Yamaha CA-610
Yamaha CA-810
Yamaha CA-1010
Tandberg TR-2080
Nikko NA-890
Hafler 200
Hafler 500
McIntosh MC-2155
NAD 3020
Forte 5
Meitner MTR-50
ARC D-240
Krell KSA-100
Parasound HCA2200II
B&K ST-140
BAT VK200
Parasound HCA2200II
Dean. |
1996 Sony Prologic Receiver (sears!) & sony speakers
2000 Harman Kardon AV500 & Wharfedales, KEF sub
2004 Denon 884 -> Rotel 1056 -> separates (fosgatefap, audiorefinement pre2dsp, citation 5, proceed avp)
2004 Parasound Halo A52 - smooth, but no low end punch on this model for low efficiency NHT speakers
Tried Sherbourn to compare with old Bryston 4B, chose brystons
2005 Bryston 4Bst + Bryston 5bst (multi purpose system)
Switching to better efficiency and sounding Von Schweikert VR4jr's.
Will try Bryston 5bst (sold 4bst to invest in VR4jrs)
But considering Musical Fidelity a308, Pass Labs x150, Bel Canto. |
Amber 70
Crown D-150
Quicksilver monos
McIntosh 75 monos
Mark Levinson 27
Jeff Rowland 5
Parasound JC-1 monos(tough to replace these with better SS)
Jim |
Pioneer receiver; NAD 3020A; NAD Separates, Dyna Stereo 70, PS Audio 100C; Future tube mono's |
from 1988 to present
Adcom GFA 535 / GTP 400 / Audio Alchemy VITB
Copland CTA 504 / Audio Research LS1 / Lehmann Black Cube
Pass Aleph 3 / ARC LS1 / Rotel (cant remember the phono stage model number)
Pass Aleph 5 / ARC LS1 / ARC PH1
Pass Aleph 5 / Sonic Frontiers Line 2 / ARC PH1
Pass Aleph 5 / S.F. Line 2 / Sonic Frontiers Phono 1
Vac Avatar SE
One regret I have is I was never able to mate my Aleph 5 with an Aleph P. |
Sansui AU-someting or another integrated
Sansui 9090DB receiver
Onkyo something or another reciever
Yamaha M-40 amp
Yamaha M-80 amp
Mark Levinson No. 23
Currently using the last three in some way, shape, or form. |
Sony Boombox (stolen)
NAD (integrated) 7250 cr. 1983 w/ Spectrum Speakers/RCA VHS
Midiland 5.1 Decoder/MA 500 Monoblocks/JVC DVD
Marantz MA 500 monoblocks/Rotel 975 Preamp/RSP-976 decoder/JVC DVD
Audio Experience Symphonies/Marantz DP870/MA 500 Monoblocks/JVC
Audio Experience/Cary Rocket 88
Cary SLP-98P/Rocket 88/Nottingham Horizon SE/Arcam DV29 |
rotel 1060
classe 151
audio research vs110
bryston 4bsst
jeff rowland 201
pass x150.5 |
Telefunken solid-state receiver
Bryston 2B
SimAudio PW-5000 integrated
SimAudio I-5 integrated
C-J Sonographe SA-250
C-J MV55 |
This may be your answer
My evolution is short. Already stated here, I am commenting this last time, because the evolution has come to an end.
Fisher rack system
Denon
B&K
Jolida 1000
Pass X-150
Pass X-600
And now, the serious stuff:
ICE powered eAR2 MK11
and the last... ever:
ICE powered H2O Signature monos
|
Harman Kardon A-300 integrated, ca. 1962
Pioneer 6500 approx 1976
NAD 3125 integrated 1985
NAD 2700 and preamp (power amp died) 1996
NAD 3125 resurrected 2003
Looking for replacement |
Denon POA-2800 + Denon PRA-1500
Denon POA-2800 + home-made passive preamplifier
Pathos Acoustics Classic One (integrated hybrid 50W)
Pass Aleph 0s + NAD S100
Pass Aleph 3 + Pass Aleph P
Pass Aleph 0s + Pass Aleph 3 + Pass Aleph P
(Aleph 0s on woofers, Aleph 3 on treble)
My quest is over. This last bi-amplification solution combines transparent and hollographic sound with dynamic and controled bass. All my atention is now focused on the recordings (hearing and buying). |
No evolution here. I started with a pioneer receiver- tried a yamaha receiver, and ended up with denon integrated. I like the Denon best, though I am not at all sure this has much to do with any kind of upgrade. More it seems the Denon is easier to deal with. the improvements have really come along- at least to my ears, as I have found compatible components to form a system with. At this point I have come to question whether the pioneer might not have made a better impression on me had I given some thought about how it worked and what might have worked well with it. Perhaps I had it all right in thinking it was hopeless- and certainly my negligence assured it would be), but now I can think of ways I might have emphasized or played down different aspects of it very characterful sound. Sort of a wasted opportunity, I suppose, but I am nonetheless pleased with the direction the Denon took me and I havent any dire complaints. |
Funny,it made me remember....:Denon,Yamaha,Nikko,Parasound,Odyssey,Audio Research & Threshold |
1. Pioneer Integrated (@1975)
2. Hafler (kit)
3. Adcom 555
4. Classe 175
5. Custom made 2a3 (pp tube,Chicago transformer) (obviously I bought high-efficiency speakers)
6. Custom made 45 (pp,Acrosound TO-330 transformer)(still own this amp)
7. Audionote Kageki (parallel SET 2a3 amp) |
1)ODL Stratos stereo
2)Conrad Johnson M55 stereo
3)McIntosh MC2102 stereo
4)Marc Levinson 332 stereo
5)David Berning ZH270 stereo
6)Cary 300B SE monoblocks
7)Cary 805 Aniversary Edition
8)Silver Eagle Audio 211 monoblocks |
Proton (can't think of the model)
Krell 300i
PrimaLuna Prologue One |
01. Optonica integrated (1987 @ 14 years of age)
02. McIntosh MC2100/MX113
03. Carver integrated (above McIntosh blew up)
04. Sony receiver (WAF-influenced purchase)
05. Audio Innovations ai500 EL34 (my first tube integrated!)
06. Rega Brio (WAF-influenced purchase)
07. SimAudio Moon (boy oh boy was this one awesome!)
08. Antique Sound Labs Orchid 2A3 (simply lovely)
09. Lexicon proc./Adcom 5 ch./Rotel 2 ch. (WAF-influenced delving into home theater - it's still around in the living room)
10. Audio Innovations ai500 (I got one again and ahhhh, in my very own listening room...finally in 2004 @ 31 years of age)
Combine #10 (with Pearl cryo'd SED 6L6GCs/Sovtek 6922s/Sovtek 12AX7LPSs) with a pair of Louis Chochos' Omega Loudspeakers' TS3 Standards, sourcing from a Thorens TD160 Super/Benz ACE/Mission tonearm combo, all running over DH Labs Silver Sonic cabling and you've got an extremely precise and yet warm/lush sound.
Cheers!
~M~ |
ONIX A-120 MkII Integrated
McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe
Bedini BA-802
McCormack DNA-125
Plinius 8200 MkII
ONIX A-120 MkII Integrated
Aragon 8008BB
If anyone is looking for a SUPERB value for a great integrated on a budget you absolutely MUST audition the ONIX. MSRP is $695, and what you get for that is unbelievable. That said I'm in the process of evaluating the 8008BB, I had a bit of a headache from work before I even started listening so I wasn't in the right frame of mind, however I was impressed initially. If I end up not keeping it I'll likely move to try a pair of those new 1000W eAR 1001 ICEpower monoblocks.
-Nathan |
