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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?


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dickieboy's avatar
dickieboy
63 posts
 
I've had my ARC Classic 60 driving my Thiel CS 3.5's for over 30 years. Superb match and I've never been tempted to change. It's fed with an ARC SP 9 mk III. Never had upgrade-itis other than one change in cables. So happy my dealer helped with this pairing as I get to just enjoy it. Sure, love to hear different things, but system synergy rules! Probably saved me a fortune. At this point, getting concerned with age of caps and what to do about it.
grossman616
130 posts
 
I have a beautiful sounding Conrad Johnson Motif 50 watter  in storage along with a Scott LK150 dual Mono Tube unit needing some TLC that is also a killer sounding amp.My current unit is a late 90's McCormack DNA 1 with a board upgrade It is a solid - open sounding brute I bought when I upgrade to Magnepan's which for those who have them know they  are wonderful but "special needs" speakers
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
Bose 1801 was a good amp. There's one on ebay now for $300 that smoked when they plugged it in... Although it doesn't compare to ultra high-end equipment listed on this thread, still a good amp.
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
214 posts
 
I'll run my EX-442 Sonata and modded DH220 until they die or I'm crisp.

Whichever comes first. 
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
610 posts
 
I like Class A amps despite the heat they put out.  Have several Classe DR3 VHC, and a Belles A - not many made of any of those but still excellent sounding assuming they are in good shape (which usually means some capacitor replacement at this age). 

There is a of of classic gear that still sounds very good - I use a 20 year old CJ Premier in my main system 
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