Amplifiers:A Keeper for Life. Do you know of one ?

This thread made me think back to my first hifi shop experience...

I went in looking into buying a complete system. I didn't know much about hifi, but I like to think I knew what good sound was at the time. I wanted my music to sound like it does when I see my favorite bands live. That's still my philosophy, so I guess I was onto something.

That great dealer told me to put the majority of my budget into the amplification. Sources come and go - the best CD player will be on borrowed time after a good 10 years of constant use. Formats come and go. Speakers come and go - surrounds rot out, rooms change, and so on. The best amps from 25 years ago arent outclassed by what's currently on the market. They may have gotten incrementally better, but there hasn't been an amplification revolution by any means.

He was onto something. I understand the source first crowd. I understand the speakers first crowd. I think the best investment by far (other than the music) is the amplification. Not even close IMO.

Tidal Impact monos; two levels above my present Intra and probably financially out of reach for life. In which case I will retain either the Intra or climb one higher after all with the Tidal Impact stereo.

The one and only "Grant 102S" from Roy Grant of UK. Since I've owned and kept this amp since the early 80's and longer than any amps I've owned, it's definitely a keeper for life. It has been a work horse in my sound room driving difficult speakers from Infinities, Martin Logans to Dynaudios without a hiccup. Dollar for dollar, this amp can hardly be equaled. I am curious if there are other owners or previous owners who have or had this amp. Would appreciate to hear from you.

mc275. I'm pretty happy with it

Air Tight ATM-3 monoblocks. Owned them for over 20 years. Never had to replace a single part, except tubes. Got a fantastic deal on them new---less than one third of the price they're going for new today.