Personal amp evolution

I started out with a technics integrated back in 1980, when I was stationed in okinawa japan, got a hold of sansui AUD-11 integrated which is still revered today and a yamaha M-80 amp, another sought after vintage.
Today, I have a combination of carver TFM amps, TFM 753, tfm 45, tfm 35, two tfm 500x, two 1.5t,m-400t,an emotiva xpa-5, sunfire theater grand, carver c-16, c-5 preamps, carver c 4000t preamp, emotiva usp-1 preamp, B&K pro 10 preamp. sunfire TGR 401 ht receiver and a pioneer sc 37 ht receiver. paxhton integrated tube amp,

Marantz 1060
Harman Kardon Citation 12
Crown D150
Ampzilla
Vsp labs Gold
Classe CA-2100

In order of acquisition - I often had more than one amp on hand:

NAD 3020 / B&K 102 / Quicksilver 8417 / Pass Aleph 3 / Pass Aleph 2 / CAT JL2 / Quicksilver V4 / First Watt Aleph J / Pass XA30.5 /Music Reference RM 9 Special Edition / Atma-sphere M60 / Music Refererene RM 10 MKII

Still own the last two.

I started reading Stereophile back in the late 80s, when I couldn't afford the good stuff. My first amp was an Adcom GFA-545, followed by a Parasound HCA-800. Next was a B&K ST-202. Lastly, I'm enjoying a Bedini 150 MkII I recently aquired off ebay for $350. I'm pairing it with an old Lazarus Cascade Basic preamp and love the combo! I still can't afford the good stuff, but ebay makes it easier to afford the used stuff.

Like many people here I started reading about high end audio gear before ever owning any. My uncle subscribed to Stereo Times, Stereo Review, and Audiophile and passed them to me when I was 14....and I devoured these magazines and dreampt of owning hi end gear one day.

My parents gave me a Fischer receiver from the late 1960s as a teen, and I recall it sounding amazing (Fischer?!?) Since that was over 20 years ago...I can't accurately remember how it compared to newer gear...but I'll never forget it. It was so clear. But I only thought of Fischer as cheap gear, and I eventually sold it real cheap. Now I don't care about anything regarding audio gear except how it sounds to me. Period.

I remember reading rave reviews of the Yamaha M-80 Power Amp as a teen and bought one in my early 20s. Coupled with a HK preamp, it was very nice at the time, but it didn't live up to its rave reviews....or that old Fischer.

At 25 I bought an entire used system that blew me away. It included a B&K ST 2020 power amp with a Conrad Johnson PV 8 preamp (with B&W speakers, Klipsch dual 15" powered sub, and other treats). I consider that to be my first 'good' stereo system. That was the first time I heard soundstaging in my home. I kept that setup for a few years, needed money, and sold the BK and CJ....and listened to garbage for years. I eventually forgot the MAGIC that a good stereo adds to LIFE.

In 2006 I got a bonus at work on a whim one Saturday I bought a Musical Fidelity A3 integrated amp. I WAS VERY PLEASED. The magic was back, in a big way. I could live with that litle amp now and be very happy if I had to.

I liked it so much I traded it for an A3cr power amp (which I like just as much as my friend's Nu-Vista integrated) and ran it with no preamp. I bought a Jolida JD 700 tube cd player (it does play dvds too which I know is audiophile blasphemy, but I prefered it to the JD 100, and I trust what I HEAR now). The JD 700 has a volume control, and it sounded so good to me (utterly transparent) that I thought using any preamp would be a step backward. I tried a older CJs and Classe', but preferred no preamp. It's that nice.

Three weeks ago I got another bonus at work and decided to get a preamp, thinking that even if the system didn't improve, it was practical. After debating it, (I considered selling the MF and buying a nice $2,000 integrated, either a Jolida tube or whatever) I bought the Jolida Fusion preamp which just came out. It's simply a superb combination. I couldn't be happier. The only change I can forsee making in amps anytime soon is getting another A3cr and bi-amping it.

I apologize for rambling, but this was a fun trip down memory lane!