2. amps-preamps
  3. 133037-80920

20 Year Old Amplifiers compared to 2017

Just a random thought, but I’m curious just how well the state of the art solid-state amplifiers from 20 years ago compare to some of today’s better offerings. For example, what does a pair of Mark Levinson 33Hs or a Krell FPB 600 sound like if compared to the latest offerings from Pass Labs or Ayre Acoustics?
imgoodwithtools
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,478 posts
 
I have an Ayre V1xe which is almost 20 yrs old....I called Ayre to get their view of getting a look at my amp for degraded parts.   He told me that there was little sense in sending back the amp....unless I dropped it from the 4th floor, all will be working as designed.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,478 posts
 
Class D's don't make the music I want to listen to.   The only Class D amp that would work for me is the Merrill, but it is expensive
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Carver sunfire sig will still run circles around many amps to this day. 
  Isnt it a switching class H amp ? Regardless, its sound is amazing
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,867 posts
 

arcticdeth-


I can recall auditioning that 1st Sunfire amp circa 1995/96 on Vandersteen 2 series speakers. Very nice sound indeed. I want to say that the amp was 300wpc ?


Happy Listening!

imgoodwithtools OP
236 posts
 
@stringreen 
Up until a couple years ago, I had an Ayre V-1xe. It was very musical. I'd argue that for around $4K, which is about the used price on this amp, nothing of current production could touch it. I've had to spend quite a bit more money to get better sound.
More to discover