Usher R 1.5, Can This Amp Be For Real?

There’s a rare Clayton Audio S2000 on US Audio Mart for about $10k that would be well worth looking into over a pair of Ushers.  300Wpc into 8 Ohms and doubles into 4 Ohms.  She’s a beast. 

The amps I have always liked the most have been class A. I just marvel that they can be built and sold for this price. I have my eyes on Atma-Sphere MA 2's which are class A but tip the scales at $40,000. THey are hand made and point to point wired so, you can see where the money went. 

Years back I bought a combo of this amp with it’s matching preamp for just under 2 K, from an old client of mine. Well made, with a very powerful presentation. I liked the sq of the amp more than the preamp, but ultimately, found it to be very " transistor " sounding, and I am a transistor guy. This was determined through my horn speakers, as many transistor amps ( not all ) sound this way. String instruments had a " twang " which I find objectionable. I owned Threshold amps in the past, and also found this to be the case. The newer Pass products are smoother and gentler in this regard. Just so everyone knows, I have had my time with tubes, and know what benefits are to be had with using them. Just not what I want in my system. I happen to enjoy smaller output stage power amps, say those with 2 or 4 output transistors per channel, versus larger amps with 8, 12, 16 or even more, output transistors per channel. Again, through my very efficient horns. Enjoy, be well and stay safe. Always, MrD.

It says they copied the Threshold Stasis amp. That was a great amp in it's day. I had it's matching preamp for a while but could not afford the amp. A pair strapped would certainly make a formidable system for only $8000. I wonder how it compares with the JC-1s. 

well, continue to do your research, this popped up on quickie search, seems favorable

http://www.audioreview.com/product/amplification/amplifiers/usher/r-1-5.html

they have survived 42 years, are they profitable now, pandemic making them shakey? I have no idea.

I will say, my Cayin Tube Amp, AT88T, made in China, is extremely well built, inside and out (they say designed in Germany, made in China).

many good used ones still around?