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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
alextobi7
16 posts
 
Second that Coltrane 1

I have a 1999 Plinius SA100 Mark 3 matched with the M16 Pre.
Amp recently juiced by Ralph Abramo of Pliniusrepairs.com. (the Ultimate upgrade) with all new caps, relays, switches, etc.  What a difference he made to an already wonderful amp. Drives Dynaudio C1 Signature monitors through Tara Labs cables.
Even the Plinius integrateds  are wonderful.
pani
1,219 posts
 
@calvinandhobbes, I belong to a similar school of sound, i.e tonal accuracy and timing being the fundamental goal.

Check out Croft amplifiers from UK.
http://www.croftacoustics.co.uk/
mflaten
14 posts
 
Marantz 8B in triode mode.
everest
14 posts
 
Blue Circle Audio BC206. Hybrid stereo amp with 4 - 6922's at the input and massive power supply.
Totally holds it's own to Lamm gear, etc.
Huge footprint and quite heavy.
If you can find one  - buy it! cheap.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 
The Music Reference RM-9 Mk.2. THE classic tube amp, better than the Marantz 8b and 9, the Mac MC75, and the ARC D76.

For low impedance loads, the RM-200, "Class A" rated in Stereophile by Michael Fremer since 2002. The only tube amp I know of that puts out as much power into 4 ohms as it does into 8.
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