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Amps from the 1980's -- What gear holds up sonically? Reliably?

Hi Everyone,

For me, the 1980s were a real "golden age" of amplifiers. Dr. Leach’s paper on building a low TIM amplifier had been widely distributed and relied on by budding designers, and lots of boutique brands came. It was also the era of the biggest of the Conrad Johsnon tube amps as well and the invention of the MOSFET.

For me, brands I cared about:

  • Threshold
  • Sumo
  • Perreaux (New Zealand, very pretty)
  • Tandberg
  • Hitachi
  • Kyocera
  • Nikko
  • Krell (of course)
  • CJ
  • ARC
  • Yamaha (professional)
  • Carver
  • Mark Levinson
  • Amber 
  • Tandberg
This was also the speaker era of Snell and Apogee and Martin Logan. I am not sure there would be a Krell today if it wasn't for Apogee's 1 ohm speakers.

I’m curious who is still listening to these vintage pieces, and which brands you think have stood up both in terms of reliability and / or sonics ?
erik_squires
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Agree with the original OP statement. Would add that speakers improved dramatically during the 80’s too. More than at any time since then.

I would say the most recent decade is the golden age of digital and headphones - things have improved substantially for headphones and DACs. 
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
752 posts
 
It was solid state 80's amps that made me realize why I wasn't listening much any more.  Tubes ever since.
erik_squires OP
16,233 posts
 
Hey @lloydc the 80's were also very active for tube amps. Is there gear from then you find holds up well?

Best,


E
reubent
7,037 posts
 
I don't currently own a 1980's amplifiers. However, if I were in the market for a big/powerful amp, I think I would try one of the Nakamichi Stasis mkII amps that Parts Connexion is selling. 
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
752 posts
 
Hi Eric, I can't say I know 80's tube amps well. Currently using a Mesa Baron from 1995, still happy with it.

It was a "light bulb" moment when I realized the reason I was disinterested with recorded music was due to cd's and solid state.  Fixed that!
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