Power Amplifiers

Is my BEL mk V old enough time be considered a classic?  That might scare me.  But it wouldn’t be the only thing that’s made me feel old, lately.  

I own a 1992 McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe (purchased used in 1998 for $1100 and upgraded twice by SMc Audio) that works well with low impedance speakers. It is on the warm side of the SS spectrum. Has never been "serviced" beyond upgrades to Gold then Platinum level. Not as cool sounding as Levinson, Krell, Ayre etc. More in line with Classe, Bryston, Belles. With the transformer upgrade, it will provide high current and not sound harsh when driven hard. Very reliable and reasonable cost for very high sound quality.

I had virtually that same amp, right down to the upgrades. Mine was purchased newer (92 or 3 I think) and it is one fine sounding amp. Virtually as good as a good tube amp, which is high praise indeed coming from me. Very hard to beat for the money.

Here’s a few blasts from the past....
main system.....  new stuff not worth mentioning,,, very tweaky though. 

“Other” main system 
Yamaha C1pre, (2) B1amps.. 
Audio Research Crossover 
Magnepan T4
Nakamichi TX1000 turntable 
Nakamichi 1000P AD/DA 1000MB disc 1000DAT tape
SUPEX MC cartridge
Technics 1500 Tape (with J-Corder upgrades)
OPPO 205 disc
Pioneer DVL919e Laser Disc
various Straightwire & MIT Shotgun cables

i must say however, that it is not always a complete system working all of the time.  
2nd system
GAS Thaedra pre.. (2) GAS Grandson amps.. GAS “The Bridge”transformer.. Charlie The Tuner.. (all reference upgrade by Mike B, originally “GAS WORKS”)
Magnepan MG3r.. 3 M&K MX70b subwoofers
Nakamichi Dragon CT table
Revox B77
Denon 5900 disc

I have a GAS Godzilla that’s dead, just haven’t got around to getting it fixed.  Several (working and dead for parts) Yamaha B2 amps, with a C2x pre,  As well as a pair of B&W Matrix 800s. 
For those of you screaming BS (I would too), let me say, I owned a hi-fi store from 1980 until 1996, when my business partner embezzled almost everything. We were dealers at one time or another for all the brands above. When most of these pieces were on the floor for quite a while, I made the executive decision to take them home. ( I did reimburse the store for cost+shipping)

Conrad-Johnson MF-2100, Quad 405-2, Nikko TRM-750. The C-J is in original condition, the Quad has been upgraded/modified and the Nikko recapped. If I want tube sound, I also have the Harman Kardon A230 integrated and the Scott 340B receiver, both restored.