Personal amp evolution

McIntosh MA-6100, Harman Kardon Citation 16A, Phase Linear 400 Series II, Carver M-400 (two, strapped in mono), Yamaha M-40, McIntosh MC-2300, Harman Kardon Citation 16A.. which is where I stop. Without question, the Citation 16A is the best balanced amp I have ever heard. I always end up going back to it, and it always reveals something that the other amps I have used failed to do. I know its old school, but it's got an indescribable magic to me.

Onkyo 504 RS
Symphonic Line RG1 mk II
BAT VK 200
Perreaux 350P
Pass Aleph 30
Leak stereo 20
OCM 500
Leak stereo 20
PrimaLuna Dialogue II
Plinius SA50 mk III

Here's my amp/int amp/rec'r journey from 1984 to 2008:

1. yamaha M50, crown straight line 1 preamp
2. Sansui AU717
3. NAD 2155, Luxman preamp, Acoustat TNP pre
4. B&K ST140, Acoustat, TNP pre, Music reference RM5 mkII pre & dyna PAS 2
5. Dynaco ST70, Dyna PAS 3
6. McIntosh MC225, Music Reference pre
7. B&K EX442 Sonata - sounded almost exactly like the Paoli's), Music Ref pre
8. Paoli M60 monoblocks, Music Ref pre
9. cj MV50, Music Ref pre
10. Music Reference RM9, Music Ref pre
11. AMC CVT-3030
12. Mac 1900 Rec'r
13. Mitsubishe DA-R7 rec'r
14. Creek 5050 int.
15. Acurus A80, Hegeman Hapi2 pre
16. Early Korneff 6bq5 SE int.
17. John Ecklund PP6bg6 triode
18. Custom KT66 SE int (from ebay)
19. Onix OA-21s
20. ads A-2
21. JVC 80 watt class A int.
22. Musical Fidelity B1
23. Kailin 6bq5 int
24. Rawsonte Brick gainclones, Superphon Rev. Basic Dual Mono preamp

And the most memorable/best sounding: Mac MC225, Korneff, 6bg6, Onix, the B&K's, Paolis, gainclones

And the worst sounding/bigest disappointment: cj (just didn't mate up with the MR preamp & wish I had a PV5), Musical Fidelity B1, Kailin (fans just too darn loud), MAC1900 (tuner fabulous but early SS harsh sounding amp)

1999 clayton s40
2000 bat vk60
2001 rowland model 10
2002 belles 250 int
2003 rowland concerto int
2007-present shindo montille

watch out for step backs.