2. amps-preamps
  3. 176566-170020

Can a Amp be "timeless" and compete with todays amps?

I’ve been into hi resolution audio for 20+ years, well longer than that but acquired high quality gear about that time. I veered off into other interests for 15 years but still had my system sitting idle in it’s dedicated room. I became interested in it again 6 months ago and began to update it. I still have my Rega Planar 25 table and a Dragon phono stage.  I retained my CEC TL1 transport, but replaced my DAC with a Dinafrips Venus II, I also have the Hermes DDC which I feed my CEC into as well as my Cambridge Streamer. I sold my Genesis V speakers because they were having an issue with the left channel bass and since they were out of business I had no way to fix them, it was over my head. I found someone that wanted them and was willing to repair them himself. (he is very happy with them) I replaced them with some Goldenear Triton 1.r’s which I love. So here is the nostalgia part. I still have my VAC Cla 1 Mk II pre amp and my VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk II amp. I feel they still hold up well sonically, so my thoughts are to send them both to VAC for the Mk III updates this fall of 2022, which includes replacing any necessary parts and "voicing" them back to new as intended when they were first made. I really believe these pieces are worthy of the restoration, are newer pieces today really going to make much headway? I cannot afford to replace these items with "like" items as I am retired and the discretionary income isn’t there anymore. I just feel like they are still really good and offer a very high quality sound. I mean 8- 300 B tubes can’t be all that bad can they? I’ve voiced the pre amp with with Telefunken 12AX7’s and I have a small stash of them. Tube sound is still great right?

128x128fthompson251
rdiiorio
33 posts
 

that's a good question. when you say "Can an amp be 'timeless' and compete with today's amps". you have to then ask what is it for? What is its purpose or function? If its to amplify a signal to drive a transducer then yes Any amp that functions as intended can compete with any other amplifying device.  Now you need to be specific and set up parameters to compare the two amps and decide upon listening decide which meets your expectations and which doesn't This is not including instances where a load may be 2 ohms impedance and for whatever design considerations are employed the amp is not stable to drive the load and thus your not able to judge the amp simply because its not functioning. Hi-Fi is an art and subject to any and all considerations of ugliness or beauty.

fedie
61 posts
 

VTL  250 mono blocks ,  I own for 20years , heavy yes , upkeep can be a pain , but can always be fixed , by a descent tech. I purchased them used for 3000  Used ,New today out of reach , I guess when I bias them , I appreciate them even more.

kellyp's avatar
kellyp
104 posts
 

Transient response never goes out of style

fleschler
2,003 posts
 

My primary amp is a pair of Altec 1569A theater amps. WARNING-Using these unmodified in the home is dangerous as the 700 volt operating current puts out not insignificant amounts of radiation. My amps were gutted but for the case and transformers. They run at about 425 volts and the transformers are always barely warm to the touch. Six tubes replace the four and the two input tubes are 6GU7s with NOS RCA 6SN7s cathode follower. No one uses my 6BG6 output tubes. The amps are fully voltage regulated including the bias (very stable). It has four levels of adjustable feedback starting about 6db which I prefer. The internals have oil filled caps and there are 2 huge 3X7 electrolytic storage caps on top. They kill my EAR 890 amp. My second system has the best Dynaco 70 ever with tremendous bass control and dynamics. Again, moded to the central tap on the transformers with voltage regulated design including the tube bias and superior large electrolytic storage caps. Mr. Record says it’s the only good Dynaco 70.

I do not understand the "negative feedback" posts without describing what type of negative feedback. There is global negative feedback (my EAR 890 has none) and internal negative feedback which should be employed or else risk distortion. I think current VAC amps have 7 db of negative feedback and internal feedback. Another friend has a personally repaired RM9 ultralinear amp that sounds very nice. It’s in the design that counts, not the "modern" and "new parts design" that makes a great amp. True, my amps are radically different than most. Audio Research makes crude/primative versions of voltage regulated amps today which is inferior in the design in my amps sophisticated voltage regulation.

Please correct me if you think amps should have both zero global and zero internal negative feedback.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@fleschler 

Please correct me if you think amps should have both zero global and zero internal negative feedback

As wth nearly all things concerning audio it just depends. NFB will decrease the amplifier output impedance and increase damping factor.  For some speakers this will be beneficial.  There are speakers designed with the intention of being driven by  zero or very low NFB amplifiers. It will definitely depend on specific amp-speaker characteristics and appropriate matching compatibility. 

BTW I bet you modified amplifiers sound fantastic!

Charles 

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