Power Amplifiers

RGR model 5, B&K 4420.

I still have a Carver Lightstar Direct Preamplifier and Reference Amplifier that I take out occasionally and use in my system. Before I sold my house I had room for a second system and used it with a pair of Martin Logan Aerius speakers. They drive my Harbeth's well also. They still sound amazing together.

Mcintosh MC225 (1964) never touched, still great.

Regards

I find myself in a pickle.  Been on a massive sell off fix lately attempting to get back down to one system.  Ha,  I know I know.

Anyway, it’s a stereo receiver so I’m not sure it qualifies.  I’ve been reeling in the sensational sounds coming from my ancient but pristine Sansui 3300.  It’s what I am down too now having rid myself of six preamps and ten amplifiers and two receivers.   I know its cap coupled, but pure magic.  Yes, fully recapped.

Great post.

i had a 'phase linear 400' i bought new back in the mid 70's! it cost 499.00! 'fried' my bose 901's! got rid of it in 2000! now i have a mcintosh mc602 amp!!

Mark Levinson NO 336. I will never need another amp.......

McIntosh 2100 coupled with B&K preamp still works as a magical combo with Rogers speakers for me against many other receivers, amps and speakers in my collection. For me it's all about clarity, accuracy and sound.

I would like to know if anyone can help me decide that has knowledge of power cables and interconnect cables, its been a long time I am looking at hurricane HC 15a and the Reveal power cables.
for the interconnect I am looking at the High Fidelity CT-2 RCA,
and Audio Quest Colorado special edition RCA.
with the wisdom of the forum which of theses cables would be the best 
I know this is not the subject on the forum any help would be apparated.
Thank You 
HG      

Conrad-Johnson MF-2100, Quad 405-2, Nikko TRM-750. The C-J is in original condition, the Quad has been upgraded/modified and the Nikko recapped. If I want tube sound, I also have the Harman Kardon A230 integrated and the Scott 340B receiver, both restored. 

Here’s a few blasts from the past....
main system.....  new stuff not worth mentioning,,, very tweaky though. 

“Other” main system 
Yamaha C1pre, (2) B1amps.. 
Audio Research Crossover 
Magnepan T4
Nakamichi TX1000 turntable 
Nakamichi 1000P AD/DA 1000MB disc 1000DAT tape
SUPEX MC cartridge
Technics 1500 Tape (with J-Corder upgrades)
OPPO 205 disc
Pioneer DVL919e Laser Disc
various Straightwire & MIT Shotgun cables

i must say however, that it is not always a complete system working all of the time.  
2nd system
GAS Thaedra pre.. (2) GAS Grandson amps.. GAS “The Bridge”transformer.. Charlie The Tuner.. (all reference upgrade by Mike B, originally “GAS WORKS”)
Magnepan MG3r.. 3 M&K MX70b subwoofers
Nakamichi Dragon CT table
Revox B77
Denon 5900 disc

I have a GAS Godzilla that’s dead, just haven’t got around to getting it fixed.  Several (working and dead for parts) Yamaha B2 amps, with a C2x pre,  As well as a pair of B&W Matrix 800s. 
For those of you screaming BS (I would too), let me say, I owned a hi-fi store from 1980 until 1996, when my business partner embezzled almost everything. We were dealers at one time or another for all the brands above. When most of these pieces were on the floor for quite a while, I made the executive decision to take them home. ( I did reimburse the store for cost+shipping)

I had virtually that same amp, right down to the upgrades. Mine was purchased newer (92 or 3 I think) and it is one fine sounding amp. Virtually as good as a good tube amp, which is high praise indeed coming from me. Very hard to beat for the money.

I own a 1992 McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe (purchased used in 1998 for $1100 and upgraded twice by SMc Audio) that works well with low impedance speakers. It is on the warm side of the SS spectrum. Has never been "serviced" beyond upgrades to Gold then Platinum level. Not as cool sounding as Levinson, Krell, Ayre etc. More in line with Classe, Bryston, Belles. With the transformer upgrade, it will provide high current and not sound harsh when driven hard. Very reliable and reasonable cost for very high sound quality.

Is my BEL mk V old enough time be considered a classic?  That might scare me.  But it wouldn’t be the only thing that’s made me feel old, lately.  

I've got a mc250 & a HK twin powered receiver both about 50 years old and going strong and sounding great.

The most “classic” amp I’m using in one of my systems is a Scott LK-150 (1961-64). It’s essentially stock (restored, but not modified), and performs as well, or better than any “modern” amp I’ve compared it to! Pretty amazing! I’m also using a Music Reference RM-10 from the mid 90s in another system. This amp is also amazingly good! I love ‘em both. 

I meant to say I'm using the Aragon 28k not the 24k that I did have at one point. I do have a PS Audio power cable but not on the Pre amp or Amp.

I should have mentioned I also have the Aragon24k
i’m using PS Audio power cables for both Amp and Pre amp

Aragon 8002 with the Aragon 24k. Great combo. Love the dual outputs.

1999 Plinius SA100Mk3  Ralph Abramo of Galbo Design www.pliniusrepairs.com (pliniusaudiorepairs@gmail.com) His upgrading is transformational. 

1998 Plinius M16 pre originally owned by Gary Morrison, ultra tweaked… eventually to be upgraded per above. Call Ralph!

Since Ralph did his Deluxe Mod Upgrade on the amp there is a juicy difference which will keep this duo in my rack another 20+ yrs, when I turn 95! Dynaudio C1 Signatures never sounded so good and prior ProAc 2.5s would have loved it. What fun! Jazz Lives!

My main amps are based on a pair of Altec 1569A monoblocks.  The peerless transformers remain, it was totally gutted and expanded into a 125w. voltage regulated (not ultralinear, triode or pentode type) amp with low global feedback and twin 3" X 7" electrolytic storage caps. 

My other audio system has a Dynaco ST70 but with new huge storage cap, terminals, RCAs, SS rectification (kept the 5AR4 tube for slow start-up) and is transformer tapped to voltage regulated type use.  It has outlandishly stunning bass compared to a stock unit and reduced global feedback.  Both systems use SR blue fuses.

My two video systems (75" Sony 900 series) use 1978 Yamaha CR-620 receivers.

I have a space EAR 890 as backup but it's not in the same class as my main amps but is a very similar sounding amp to my Dynaco ST70.  

I have a Adcom GFA-555 amp still in use since 1989. Great sound. Super base.

A 2000 Mark Levinson 383, now with New capacitors and service. It Will be with me for the next 15 years too.

IN 1995 I PURCHASED AN AUDIO RESEARCH D-400 MK 2 THAT WAS A STORE DEMO.
I HAVE PLAYED IT ALMOST EVEY DAY SINCE THEN. IT HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICED OR REPAIRED. I USE IT WITH AN ARC REFRENCE 3 S.E. PRE AMP THAT JUST GOT NEW TUBES. THE AMP IS SWEET AND MUSICAL, AND HAS PLENTY OF POWER. BEEN THINKING OF GETTING A NEW REF. 160S AMPLIFIER BUT CANT SEEM TO LET THE OLD ONE GO. IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE OWING IT.

Carver M500t.

Right now a Nikko Alpha 130, Museatex AVC1 running Castle Durham 900’s and soon to be restored Rauna Tyr II’s.  An early LSA/Columbia (Pre Denon) TT, Rotel 855 cd player, Creek phono stage, NAD analog tuner complete the setup

I've been using a Krell KST 100 from 1993 with Vandersteen 2 ce. It was a well made and designed amp that still sounds great. Better amps yes but not worth the expense.

A pair of the original Quad ELS speakers.  Together with an original Naim amp bought directly from Julian Vereker, they sit in a closet while I listen to a Sanders Sound system which is in every way better.  Still I like just having them!  I’ve also just sent a Decca London Gold back to John Wright for service - I brought that from England when I came here in 1973.

I use a Sumo Polaris Class A amp (I know, they don't exist but mine does) with a Berning TF-10 preamp. Also use a Quad 909 power amp, Krell KSA150, Sumo Andromeda, Berning AE230, and Adcom 550's for subwoofers. Much too much stuff!

I have 2 VTL 225 monoblocks and 2 VTL 85 monoblocks and I have updated both with new tubes , power cords and caps, both sound great

Threshold Stasis 2...Jon Soderberg updated
(also: Threshold SL-10...Jon Soderberg updated, used for it's MC phono stage only...yowzer it's good!)  

Threshold S 500 Series II....Jan Soderberg modified
Threshold fet 10 HL...Jan Soderberg modified

Sold 75 % of my amp collection within the last 3 years, but still have a dozen or so lying around, all being occasionally rotated in and out, most of them tweaked up a bit. ADA, Soundcraftsmen, Hafler, GAS, Yamaha Pro, Citation, Adcom, Nuforce ( STA200 )...........

1961 MC240 in my Vintage system...

rebuilt twice now....

sings w Quad ESL63

@richopp I think you are in the 80’s with a Hafler 500
gr8 amp

I’m using 2 mono-block tube amps I built from schematics published in 1958, from books my father had and was going to throw away. Switch Mode Power Supplies. Modern passive components. All RCA tubes. The finest amps I’ve heard. Class A 45 Watts/channel. Tube phono preamps.

The only heat comes from the filaments. Granite bases.

Threshold SA/4e, 350e, S500 w/optical bias and a sweet Jon Soderberg upgraded SA/3.

 @roberjermanA friend of mine had a the Ampzilla Amp
sound great with Infinity RS Kappa 8s

I dunno if it's classic but it makes my DQ10's sing....Proton D540...around '85 I think.

I am currently refurbishing a McIntosh MA 6100 that I bought new in the late seventies.  I will use it to drive my JBL 65s I bought at the same time.  A great match and a great second system.  Old folk like vintage gear.

I recently pulled our my Harmon Kardon 730 twin powered receiver to use in office. I bought this  along with the Original large Advent speakers in 1978. I used it up until the late 90's. When I first turned it on and heard the full sound of this amp, I remembered why my wife & I had liked it so much. I was going to sell it but I may get it restored instead. Though a receiver, this thing can hang with separates & surpass some without a doubt.

Mark Levinson 335 and a original   Aragon 8008

I have two McIntosh MC30s, which were manufactured between 1954 and 1962. Came down from my father to my older brother to me. I had them refurbished and they sound great.

I built a Hafler 500 from a kit in 1973-4.  Back then the kits were less than the built amps, and since Hafler was a Dynaco guy, he knew kits would sell.  Replaced the on-off switch in about 1975 when the factory had us update the original one.

Had it biased the other day.  Nothing has failed and it still runs like a champ.  Repair person was totally amazed as it measured like new.

Sometimes a person gets lucky, right?

Cheers!

HARMAN KARDON--PA-5800

MCINTOSH 7106 BRIDGED TO VANDY 1C'S

Sansui AU-505, bought new in 1975. I like it so much I bought another to run while my original is being restored/modded.

Sansui CA-F1 and BA-F1 pre-power combo, 
partly restored, still get switched on every now and then. Still a transparent sounding combo after they warm up over an hour.

Belles ST150A Hot Rod and Pass Labs Aleph 30 are still in use.

On rotation here are a Hafler DH-220 with modified power supply. A Hafler DH-200 with qua-co driver boards. A Dynaco modified by Van Alstine Mos-Fet 250E. All are very nice and have different sonic qualities. 

I have a Carver TFM-35 circa 1993. I bought it brand new on eBay in 2008 for $500 as a sealed box while used ones were going for $450. I thought it might be fake until I opened it up and saw the Nichicon capacitors and Toshiba transistors. It has a sparkling yet smooth top end. I had a new Don Sachs Kootenay that bettered it but certainly did not embarrass it. I ran the Carver through a Don Sachs preamp for the past year and it was pretty holographic. Sometimes old stuff is pretty surprising.