Personal amp evolution

1) Sansui (integrated, can't remember the model designation)
2) Luxman L410 (integrated)
3) Audio Exclusiv P2 (pre) + Luxman M363 (power)
4) The P2, an award collector in the early 80s, was the first used gear I bought; impressively as its musical performance was - especially phono - , it soon showed it had really been used ("worn" rather) and needed to be replaced by: T+A P1200R (pre) + Clearaudio Basic (phono)
5) Thereafter I ventured into surround and replaced the Luxman M363 by T+A A1520 (2 channel power) + T+A DD1510 (decoder + 3 channel power amp)
6) Replaced the T+A 1200P by T+A 1230P (huge change)
7) Replaced the Clearaudio Basic by Quad P24 (tube phono)
8) Dropped surround altogether and replaced everything by Tidal Preos (pre including phono) + Tidal Intra (power)

second system
1) Unison Research Unico SE (hybrid integrated)
2) Unison Research S2K (single ended, class A tube integrated)

Sansui model 400 receiver
Marantz model 1120 int. amp
Pioneer Spec 2 amp
Marantz 2330 receiver
Marantz 1250 int. amp
Phase Linear 700 Series II amp
Pass Labs X250

Used the 1250 as a preamp with the Phase Linear. For some odd reason I decided to get a nice preamp (Classe DR-5) to use with the Phase Linear. I wasn't prepared for the drastic improvement! Then I had to see how it sounded with a nicer amp (Pass Labs X250), so then I had to.... you know the rest....

Musting be getting a bit senile. I'd have to do research for some of the model numbers. Anyhoo here's the list (integrated where indicated)

1977-78 Sansui Model ? (little integrated guy)
1978-85 Onkyo A-10 (integrated)
1985-86 Harmon Kardon (SS)
1987-90 Denon (SS)
1999-92 Dynaco ST70i (Van Alstine Mod)
1993 harmon Kardon HK II
1994-2007 Van Alstine Omega 230 (SS)
12/07- present BAT VK-60

Gosh, I went from:

Pioneer silver face reciever to:

Adcom GFA-5500 to:

Kinergetics Chiro C200 to:

McIntosh Mc 250 to:

Musical Design D75 in stereo and then monoblocked to:

Lazarus H-1A hyrid to:

Altec/Dynaco trannied 6550 OT monoblocks to:

Berning EA-230 in stereo then mono to:

Berning EA-2101 to:

McIntosh Mc40 monoblocks to:

Bottlhead Paramour 2A3 monoblocks to:

vintage Ampex and Gott monoblocks to:

McIntosh Mc275 MKIV to:

Bel Canto SET40 monoblocks "Orpheos"

McIntosh Mc240 to

Red Wine Audio chimp amp to:

Moscode 300 in stereo and them in mon to:

Pilot 246B el84, Pilot 245-A and 240

i know I dont remember some, !

Wow some great collections there.

I started with a Pioneer amp when I was about 15, it was about 20wpc from memory.

Followed this with a Technics 40wpc amp with needle power meters on the front.

Can't remember model numbers for either of these.

Moved up a bit and bought a Luxman L215 over 20 years ago.

The Luxman blew after many years of service so I replaced it with a Rotel RA980BX bought at a reasonable price off EBay.

However, the bug had bitten and while all the above were second hand I decided it was time for a new amp.

Last year I replaced my ancient Rectilinear speakers and a week ago I bought my first valve amp: a Melody I34 which is the new model with a remote.

Must say I'm very happy with the new amp, a definite step up, but it has been quite a ride for many years.

DS