solid state power amps, golden oldies


What solid state power amps have stood the test of time? No older than 1980 and no newer than 1990. What amps, if introduced today, would still be given positive reviews? I believe that exceptional remains exceptional, regardless of time. Better older and exceptional than new and mediocre.
jw94055

Showing 1 response by quadophile

Jaybo,

You left out nothing for me to add, so I have to say that I agree with your listing.

I want to add one thing in response to the original poster. Amplifiers older than about 15 years would probably need servicing and possibly the capacitors and some transitors may need replacing to really sound at their best. I am at times not sure why a perfectly good looking 15+ year amp does not sound just right but the thought comes to my mind that the capacitors may have dried out.

There are many who indulge in vintage equipment but at times are not aware of the fact that the less than satisfactory sound is not actually the fault of the amp but it is because of aging that it sounds the way it does.

I know a few audio buffs who say such and such amp got rave reviews in its day but when I heard it recently it sounded awful. That is because the do not consider the real issue with the equipment.

The period you mention would actually render the a power amps age between 16-26 years old, hence, I thought I should mention this.