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Old Amps that can still Kick Butt

Not being a believer that time necessarily = progress, I would like to offer the following example of a sonic gem that has transcended time and can totally kick butt in a modern milieu:

The Robertson 4010. I got one of these about two years ago because it was in immaculate condition, the price was so low and I was inquisitive. I hooked it up and let it warm up for a couple of days. OMG this thing was in the super amp league: Transparency to die for, slam that you couldn‘t‘ believe for for a 50W amp.. Peter Moncrieffe wasn‘t wrong in his review of this amp: this thing is in the Sterreophile Class A component category hands down. Even after all these years.

What amps have you encountered that have defied time and can still kick butt today?


128x128pesky_wabbit
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
742 posts
 
amplifiers have definitely "aged" better than just about any other audio component. I still have a Bryston 4B-ST and a Krell KAV-250a that both sound pretty good. Neither were particularly high-end in their day, but compared to modern amps at their original price point, they hold their own pretty well.
sameyers1
126 posts
 
Had to respond after reading n80’s post. My Proceed (Levinson designed) HPA2 powers a pair of Aerial Acoustics Model 8b’s. Same amp, same speaker manufacturer as n80. I upgraded my pre-amp to an Ayre Acoustics K-5e, but did not hear a benefit to upgrading to an Ayre amp at that time. I suspect there may be “better” amps out there, but component matching is part of the reason people keep older equipment. When you are happy with the sound of your gear, you are less likely to seek an upgrade. I’ve listened to a lot of supposedly better newer speakers by firms like Wilson, B&W, Magico and others, but just as I’ve kept my amp (had it repaired at reasonable cost twice), I’ve also kept my speakers. 
bpoletti
1,530 posts
 
@nitrobob

Hafler DH-500s were great amps once their front-end boards were modified.  The biggest problem with the DH-500s was the variable speed cooling fan.  It would always kick on during the quiet passages AFTER the big crescendo.  

Like the DH-500, the DH-110 was a solid amp once the driver boards were modified and beefier power supplies replaced the stock ones.  But stock units were so-so.
pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit OP
1,183 posts
 
Any older krell. I love my first gen ksa-100. Had the electrolytics replaced and it’s good for another 30yrs.. 80lbs, dual mono, pure class A. There are very few amps I’d upgrade to and those will cost a small fortune.
Yeah the KSA-50 was really something
ashoka
82 posts
 
Robertson 4010 Made in where? where to buy?
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