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Amps from the 1980's -- What gear holds up sonically? Reliably?

Hi Everyone,

For me, the 1980s were a real "golden age" of amplifiers. Dr. Leach’s paper on building a low TIM amplifier had been widely distributed and relied on by budding designers, and lots of boutique brands came. It was also the era of the biggest of the Conrad Johsnon tube amps as well and the invention of the MOSFET.

For me, brands I cared about:

  • Threshold
  • Sumo
  • Perreaux (New Zealand, very pretty)
  • Tandberg
  • Hitachi
  • Kyocera
  • Nikko
  • Krell (of course)
  • CJ
  • ARC
  • Yamaha (professional)
  • Carver
  • Mark Levinson
  • Amber 
  • Tandberg
This was also the speaker era of Snell and Apogee and Martin Logan. I am not sure there would be a Krell today if it wasn't for Apogee's 1 ohm speakers.

I’m curious who is still listening to these vintage pieces, and which brands you think have stood up both in terms of reliability and / or sonics ?
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
15,912 posts
 
Hey @lloydc the 80's were also very active for tube amps. Is there gear from then you find holds up well?

Best,


E
reubent
6,939 posts
 
I don't currently own a 1980's amplifiers. However, if I were in the market for a big/powerful amp, I think I would try one of the Nakamichi Stasis mkII amps that Parts Connexion is selling. 
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
739 posts
 
Hi Eric, I can't say I know 80's tube amps well. Currently using a Mesa Baron from 1995, still happy with it.

It was a "light bulb" moment when I realized the reason I was disinterested with recorded music was due to cd's and solid state.  Fixed that!
erik_squires OP
15,912 posts
 
@reubent Right??? I wish I had the space and cash right now.
reubent
6,939 posts
 
@erik_squires - Yep Erik, I always heard good things about the NAK Stasis amps and the MkII versions are just so darn beefy looking. Anyone could be proud to have that huge hunk-o-metal on their shelf.
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