Great Vintage Amps-which one for you?

Frankly, the Hafler kit built amps were tough to beat. Mine lasted over 20 years in my system. I gave it to my music starved brother who's using it now. The differences between it and my brand new Odyssey were slight.

Hammer

I have a Phase Linear amp that is almost 30 years old, and it is still cranking. I am going to have it worked on though, as I was advised that some of the internal parts need replacing from time to time. When I get it back, I will put it into a vintage system, that I just recently started using again. All of the other pieces I bought in the 70's, as well. It all still sounds great!
Sonny

I've owned a ARC D-115 Mk 2, Dynaco ST-70 and still have MC-60's all of which are great vintage gear. So far as looks go, definitely the McIntosh amps which I still have. So far as sonics go, the D-115 Mk 2 is a great performer though I found the bass a bit fatter, not as defined, and the highs a bit beamy, and glassy at times than the better crop of current tube amps although it has plenty of slam. This amp has one hell of a soundstage and a great midrange and plenty of power, 100 watts. A real classic, I hated parting with it but you can't keep them all.

Most of the all tube ARC amps from the 70's and 80's including the D-70 M-100's, D79, D-250 are all quite desirable and great vintage stuff.

I've owned a Beard P-100 since about '94. Bought it used for $500. Put a little work into it: added caps for storage, brimar and mullard tubes up front, Svet KT-88's or better yet, GE 6550A's in the rear. I would think you'd have to spend $8-10K to get better sound. The amp has balls and slam and can be as delicate as a bab'e bottom-with Thiel's, or Martin Logans or whatevah!

I regret selling my Berning EA-230 tube amp. It made my LS3/5a speakers sing!