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Old Amps that can still Kick Butt

Not being a believer that time necessarily = progress, I would like to offer the following example of a sonic gem that has transcended time and can totally kick butt in a modern milieu:

The Robertson 4010. I got one of these about two years ago because it was in immaculate condition, the price was so low and I was inquisitive. I hooked it up and let it warm up for a couple of days. OMG this thing was in the super amp league: Transparency to die for, slam that you couldn‘t‘ believe for for a 50W amp.. Peter Moncrieffe wasn‘t wrong in his review of this amp: this thing is in the Sterreophile Class A component category hands down. Even after all these years.

What amps have you encountered that have defied time and can still kick butt today?


128x128pesky_wabbit
roadwhorerecords
279 posts
 
@jasonbourne52  
 I also have a Perreaux 2150B, love it. It was the only amp I have owned that my AR9s wouldn't eat. Plus as a dual burner stove, I can make an egg sandwich while listening to Triumvirat at the same time.
mickeyb
575 posts
 
Any older krell. I love my first gen ksa-100. Had the electrolytics replaced and it’s good for another 30yrs.. 80lbs, dual mono, pure class A. There are very few amps I’d upgrade to and those will cost a small fortune. 
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
501 posts
 
Pioneer SPEC-4 I purchased in the early 80’s. Last year, I gave it and my beloved DCM TimeWindow 3 speakers, and some other gear to my son.

McIntosh MC2600 I purchased in the late 90’s.  Been sitting unused for about 2 years.  Probably time to sell it and the rest of my Mc components.  
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
amplifiers have definitely "aged" better than just about any other audio component. I still have a Bryston 4B-ST and a Krell KAV-250a that both sound pretty good. Neither were particularly high-end in their day, but compared to modern amps at their original price point, they hold their own pretty well.
sameyers1
138 posts
 
Had to respond after reading n80’s post. My Proceed (Levinson designed) HPA2 powers a pair of Aerial Acoustics Model 8b’s. Same amp, same speaker manufacturer as n80. I upgraded my pre-amp to an Ayre Acoustics K-5e, but did not hear a benefit to upgrading to an Ayre amp at that time. I suspect there may be “better” amps out there, but component matching is part of the reason people keep older equipment. When you are happy with the sound of your gear, you are less likely to seek an upgrade. I’ve listened to a lot of supposedly better newer speakers by firms like Wilson, B&W, Magico and others, but just as I’ve kept my amp (had it repaired at reasonable cost twice), I’ve also kept my speakers. 
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