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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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grossman616
124 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
208 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
608 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 
jerryrocks's avatar
jerryrocks
63 posts
 
Marantz 1060 - original amps provide the best sound. Refurbished becomes necessary at some point. I have mine driving my outdoor Klipsch rock speakers and am constantly amazed at the musical qualities it is able to produce. Tried a couple of more modern amps and they sounded flat and expressionless. What a classic treasure.
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