Vintage amplifiers that could challenge or approach current state of the art amplifiers

[low_art]

I occasionally run a couple of restored P2100s in a tri-amp setup with Magnepan 1.6QRs and some KEF B139-based transmission line subs, and, subjectively, they're excellent amps. Once the gain is set properly, they're dead silent in absence of a signal.
As a side note, the Yamaha A1 mentioned earlier in this thread makes for an exceptional solid state electrostatic headphone amp when paired with a STAX SRD-7 SB modified for 560v output.

 

[TLEDDY]

A little help, please...

How do I search only in a thread such as this? I want to see if a Quad 405 "Current dumping" amplifier has been mentioned.

 

[Soniclife]

A little help, please...

How do I search only in a thread such as this? I want to see if a Quad 405 "Current dumping" amplifier has been mentioned.

Click search, then change search everywhere to this thread.

 

[low_art]

What about the Yamaha P2200, came out in 1976, around $1100
Full professional review

I occasionally run a couple of restored P2100s in a tri-amp setup with Magnepan 1.6QRs and some KEF B139-based transmission line subs, and, subjectively, they're excellent amps. Once the gain is set properly, they're dead silent in absence of a signal.
As a side note, the Yamaha A1 mentioned earlier in this thread makes for an exceptional solid state electrostatic headphone amp when paired with a STAX SRD-7 SB modified for 560v output.

 

[Audionaut]

The A-91D is virtually impossible to fault. I think in real terms, it's my favourite big integrated.

I had the 858 for a few years and was very satisfied.
It's one of my personal top 3 integrated amplifiers that I've owned.

Together with these two here.

There are probably even better ones (Accuphase, Luxman, Burmester, for example), but I didn't have them my self.

 

[Chr1]

Gotta love those hexagonal heatsinks.

(Might have to start a new thread for cool/funky heatsinking.)

Splendid.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Yamaha MX-D1
Built: 2005
Price: $4999

500Wpc into 4 and 8 ohms (24dBW, 27dBW, respectively) at 0.1% THD. Frequency response: 1Hz–100kHz, ±3dB; 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.5dB. THD at 10W/1kHz: <0.003%. Damping factor: 200 (equivalent to an output impedance of 0.04 ohms), Channel separation: 100dB. Dynamic range: 120dB or greater (IHF-A, low-pass filter at 20kHz).

Purifi- like measurements but 20 years ago. SOTA in 2005.
Every time I hook it up I'm impressed. As much as I my Mx-1000, this is just in another level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoveiTFsOkQ

 

[Chr1]

Like many threads here, the title of the thread is somewhat open to interpretation.

I would suggest that there are quite a few amplifiers listed here that would struggle to match or approach the SINAD figures achieved by a lot of the current crop of, mainly Class D affordable desktop amps.

On the other hand, how audible the difference in SINAD is, is open to question. Also, you are far less likely to fry most of these if you happen to connect them to difficult speakers, or push them in any way.

And if they do break, they are more likely to be fixable. I like things that are robust and repairable personally.

I also dig nice cast/extruded alloy heatsinks.
Weird, I know.

 

[NTTY]

How do you like that P7000S.? I have the little brother to it but look for your version from time to time.
Joe

Sorry, old question, but I had one of these and it’s one of the not so many that never failed me. Fans were off most of the time and anyways very silent. No issue with the sound, no hum/hiss. Crazy power for home.

 

[NTTY]

What about the Yamaha P2200, came out in 1976, around $1100
Full professional review

Ho (Ho Ho), I love this one.
Have a look at the user manual, 26 measurements are provided and there are pages and pages to explain why and how they matter.
I still have two of them, and I took a picture for fun last Xmas:

They are indestructible, I believe. DPD tried and failed to kill one, but they managed to bend the front plate and the internal frame too, I suppose from dropping it several times from high height. But I plugged the Yam and it played. Built to last.

 

[DSJR]

A little help, please...

How do I search only in a thread such as this? I want to see if a Quad 405 "Current dumping" amplifier has been mentioned.

Late reply, but I'd suggest that today, a 606 series amp (especially the current Artera Stereo) would arguably be a better choice, as the circuit was refined (op-amp put in the feedback loop not the signal path amongst other tweaks) but more importantly, a real ability to drive four ohm loads (>220W at four ohms and >120W at eight ohms).

I'm fond of the 405 -2 and owned two freshly updated to mk2-spec in the past, but the power limitations into less than 6 ohm loads could be heard in my 'hooligan days' and into the ATC 20s I had in the early 90s, the poor thing got so hot, you could almost fry an egg on top. The supply caps of the mk1 leaked all over the place (we serviced a few) but not sure if the later caps fitted to mk2s were better here - worth checking if you haven't already done so)

 

[dlaloum]

Late reply, but I'd suggest that today, a 606 series amp (especially the current Artera Stereo) would arguably be a better choice, as the circuit was refined (op-amp put in the feedback loop not the signal path amongst other tweaks) but more importantly, a real ability to drive four ohm loads (>220W at four ohms and >120W at eight ohms).

I'm fond of the 405 -2 and owned two freshly updated to mk2-spec in the past, but the power limitations into less than 6 ohm loads could be heard in my 'hooligan days' and into the ATC 20s I had in the early 90s, the poor thing got so hot, you could almost fry an egg on top. The supply caps of the mk1 leaked all over the place (we serviced a few) but not sure if the later caps fitted to mk2s were better here - worth checking if you haven't already done so)

Yes, as a previous owner of 405-2 and current owner of 606/707 - the 606 and later members of the family can handle low impedance loads without too much concern....
Making them far more flexible in terms of matching speakers!

 

[NTTY]

Am I big or am I big?

 

[NTTY]

I know you didn’t ask but you still get to know what’s the big baby. It is an Accuphase P-600 from 1983:

And that is for "guaranteed" 2x300W @8ohms

 

[Mikig]

I have no idea instrumentally how they do it, but I've always been intrigued by the Pioneer A09 and Onkyo AG10. Also the A809. I've always heard good things about the three, a little less about the reliability of the selector switches on the old Onkyos... However, from direct experience, my power amps, all old, do it very well. I don't feel the need to introduce new amplification, except for a pickup problem. Above all, I put in my beloved Halcro DM38.

 

[dlaloum]

I know you didn’t ask but you still get to know what’s the big baby. It is an Accuphase P-600 from 1983:

View attachment 435095

View attachment 435098

View attachment 435097

View attachment 435099


View attachment 435100

And that is for "guaranteed" 2x300W @8ohms

Able to drive 1ohm loads @ 450W.... the sort of amp that can safely drive any known speaker!

 

[SirPaulGerman]

Well I was able to pick up this amplifier the other day, dual mono, rails for each of the sides
Is a studio amp for the recording industry, 90 LBS
Came out in 1981 for $2200, in 1980 a Yamaha P2200 was $1200
The only amp that looks like the Darth Vader

 

[Palmer]

Ho (Ho Ho), I love this one.
Have a look at the user manual, 26 measurements are provided and there are pages and pages to explain why and how they matter.
I still have two of them, and I took a picture for fun last Xmas:

View attachment 433205

They are indestructible, I believe. DPD tried and failed to kill one, but they managed to bend the front plate and the internal frame too, I suppose from dropping it several times from high height. But I plugged the Yam and it played. Built to last.

Everybody needs one of those, I have one myself.
Also the Yamaha M-4, the Yamaha M-2 - which is the same topology but the consumer version.
I ran a P-2200 with Altec 19's for some years. I have accumulated 5 M-4's over time, plus one in parts if I should ever need any.

 

[coonmanx]

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Yamaha MX-D1
Built: 2005
Price: $4999

500Wpc into 4 and 8 ohms (24dBW, 27dBW, respectively) at 0.1% THD. Frequency response: 1Hz–100kHz, ±3dB; 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.5dB. THD at 10W/1kHz: <0.003%. Damping factor: 200 (equivalent to an output impedance of 0.04 ohms), Channel separation: 100dB. Dynamic range: 120dB or greater (IHF-A, low-pass filter at 20kHz).

Purifi- like measurements but 20 years ago. SOTA in 2005.
Every time I hook it up I'm impressed. As much as I my Mx-1000, this is just in another level.






View attachment 430844
View attachment 430843https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoveiTFsOkQ

I think it’s pretty cool -and kind of funny -that Yamaha dropped a Class D amp like a mic-drop and then never bothered to follow up on it.