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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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jimcat54
2 posts
 
I'm just an amateur here, but have been using a pair of MFA M-200's for over 20 years. Paired with GAS Thaedra that I bought in the mid 70's and have maintained well.
doug714's avatar
doug714
53 posts
 
Conrad-Johnson does it for me. American made quality components. 
coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
792 posts
 
You talking about an old amp that kicks butt. Try a Threshold T200 or a Plinius SA250 MkIII
lemonhaze
416 posts
 
I am not prepared to pay $6K for Doug-Shredders Class-D love affair. My Mark Levinson 23.5 is Kick-ass, paid about $1000 and I enjoy my sound a lot.  Jim Bongiorno's designs are also great and I still have a Son of Ampzilla. My 'The Nine', about 60W class-A by the same designer is exceptional but was stolen unfortunately.
lemonhaze
416 posts
 
Hey @coltrane1, I fondly remember listening to a Plinius and was very impressed. Can't remember the model but it did everything right.

My ML23.5 is about 30 years old. I wonder if the Legacy amp mentioned will go the distance.
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