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

what a great thread!  If threshold is on the list, then I include Forte, either model 1 or 3.  My model three is still my amp  and recently had Jon S rebuild it.  I remember upgrading from my adcom 535 (still my backup), to the next level.  I unfairly compared the forte to threshold, levisnon, krell and AR with my monitor audio Mark IV gold.  Now my limited budget certainly contributed to my bias, but for me the only amps that bested it were AR and threshold - for me...

Still use a Mark Levinson 335 amp

Well, for me the 80's was a time when CERTAIN designers made some really memorable items. My system today still has major components from the 80's. Beginning with Conrad Johnsons premier 1 amp all the way thru to the MV55 were all great sounding pieces. Audio Research made the excellent SP-10 & SP-11 preamps. Love all the Thresholds especially the SA versions. Cary Audio made some very special 300b pieces and Jeff Rowland was very good too. I was not a fan of Krell, too analytical sounding and not musical for my taste. Every era made good stuff, I'm listing to my vinyl now on an Unmodified 1957 Marantz 7 thru a CJ Premier Four thru Martin Logan Request Electrostats and the music is so pure, detailed, and musical with a dreamy super large soundstage. I paid $4500 for the Marantz 7 about 2 years ago and it is one of the best preamps I have every had the pleasure of owning and listening to. Don't discount older stuff, they still sound AMAZING!!!  Forget about specs, let your ears be the judge. 

having my old Adcom 555, redone at VanL speaker works to use in my office.   always will have a softsopt in my heart for that amp. 

Recently, my Precision Fidelity M7-A returned from the dead and immediately reconvinced me why I bought it in the first place-it just sings. Got it paired up with a pair of Silverline Audio SR11s', being pushed by an AR SP14 and a California Audio Labs Icon MK II. Detail beyond the boundaries of the speakers abound. It replaces a VERY high end amp that is most reputable, that doesn't sound near as good to my ears. It does all of the things I value very well.McIntosh? One of the best sounding systems I have ever owned was a C 28 pre, and a 2300 amp running into a set of homebuilt speakers. Had it all set up with a real time analyzer, and it was incredible sounding and dead solid reliable. Had it all installed in the wall of my mobile home set in the middle of 22 acres. I had no noise complaints....and a whole lot of fun, 1973 to 1983.