Had to do it - the Amp List...

GromitGromit
edited January 2012 in Amplifiers
Starting in 1978 with a hand-me-down from my dad...

Sugden A21 ****
Akai AA5200 **
NAD 3020A ***
Rotel RA820B ****
Mission Cyrus 2 *
Creek 4140 *****
Nytech CA252 ***
A&R Cambridge A60 ****
Creek 4040s2 ****
NAD 3130 ***
Naim Nait 2 (CB) ****
Exposure X *****
Exposure 3010 **
Exposure Super XV *****
Exposure (there's a pattern forming here!) Dual VI/VII/IV Dual ****
Exposure XI/XII/IVDR ****
Exposure XI/IX/IVDR *****
Icon Audio MC34A **
WAD KEL84 ****
Puresound A30 ****
Cambridge Audio 840A **
NVA P50sa/A70 mono's ***
NVA P50sa/A60/A30 (bi-amp) ****
Naim NAC72/HiCap/NAP180 ***
NVA P90sa/A80 mono's ****
NVA P90sa/A80/A40 (bi-amp) *****
NVA AP80 ****
Naim Nait 2 (olive) ***
NVA AP40PX ****
NVA P90sa/WAD KaT34 ****
Exposure IX/XIV/IVDR ****
Exposure XXIRC/Super XVIII mono's *****
Inca Tech Claymore **** (still got)


Comments

  • HugoHugo
    Starting in 1977:

    Pioneer SX450 Receiver - 15w per channel!
    Nytech Pre/Power Combination (can't remember the model but the pre had a sloping front with big rectangular buttons and sliders for volume and balance)
    NVA A40/P50(?)
    World Audio Designs KEL34
    World Audio Designs KaT88
    Lyngdorf TDA2200, fitted with 24/96 ADC card (still got)
    Leben CS600 (lovely build quality, inside and out, but rather ordinary sounding).  Didn't stay long.

    Whenever I'm tempted to try something new, the Lyngdorf comes out best.  For me it has the power and control of a good solid state amp, while having the sweetness and lucidity of valves, without the expense and occasional fireworks, of course.
  • JimJim
    edited January 2011

    Starting in early '70s - but not in order

    Four channel something from Tandy
    Big-ass Sansui receiver
    Armstrong Integrated Valve amp - my first foray into valves
    Quad 22/II
    Cambridge something (Not A&R, the other one run by Stan Curtis)
    Meridian 101 preamp
    Musical Fidelity "The Preamp"
    NAD 3020 - of course!
    ILP HY60 modules with 1kva/60,000uF - (stood toe to toe with a Linn Klimax and didn't back down driving Saras despite costing 1/10th the price.)
    A&R A60 - four owned, keeping the current one forever
    Leak Stereo 20 - currently rebuilt with 6SN7 and 807 PP and driving my Lowthers
    Massive Nelson Pass Class A jobs - built by a mate
    Yaqin MC-10
    UCD 180 Class D amps
    Flying Mole DAD-M100 pro monoblocks
    Musical Fidelity P140 - currently on Ebay
    Musical Fidelity B1
    Musical Fidelity Synthesis
    Musical Fidelity X-Pre line stage preamp
    Russ Andrews Rave - Class T amp

    I'm sure there's more but I can't remember for now.

    I knew there was more.

    Hafler D101 pre amp
  • MervynMervyn

    Starting early 80's are the ones I can recollect : 

    Pioneer - huge 70's tank

    Leak stereo 30

    Marantz Pm310 'ish

    Quad 33/405

    Naim 32.5/140

    NVA AP20

    Naim 72/hi-cap/250

    Naim 82/hi-cap/250

    NVA p80/A60

    NVA p90/A80's

    Audio Synthesis Passion vishay

    NVA TSS Mk2/3

  • RobHoltRobHolt
    edited January 2011
    Those I remember roughly in date order from the late 1970s:


    Toshiba SA220 (receiver)
    Teleton SQ220
    Armstrong 524
    Trio KA1200G
    JVC JAS11
    Technics SUV8
    Mitsubishi DAU310
    A&R A60
    Rotel RA840B
    Quad 44/405/1
    Some Quantum thing that blew up
    Onix OA21/SOAP
    Naim NAC62/NAP140
    The above with Hicap.
    Cyrus 2/PSX
    Cyrus Pre/2xpower mono/4xPSXR - yes a seven box amplifier!
    Cyrus 2/PSXR - back to basics!
    Naim Nac102/Hicap/NAP180
    Yaqin MC... something or other.
    WAD 6550
    Croft SMA/Series V
    Audiolab 8000A
    Musical Fidelity A1
    Technics SUV9
    Sansui AU317/2
    Trio KA1000
    Naim Nait 2
    Exposure X
    Exposure IV
    Exposure XX
    Nytech CA252
    Nytech CTA252 (receiver)
    Linn LK1/LK2
    Linn Wakonda/LK100
    Rega Elex
    Musical Fidelity Pre3/P140x2
    Musical Fidelity P172 (pre)
    Naim NAC72/SRCAP/NAP135x2
    Cambridge 840A
    Quad 33/303
    Quad 34/306
    Quad 34/405-2
    Pioneer SX737 (receiver)
    NVA P90 (active pre - 1990s)
    Pioneer SA9800

    The timeline is a little rough and I've had several amps more than once, eg three Audiolab 8000As, three A&R A60s and a couple of Naits.

    Many on that list, particularly towards the end were bought out of curiosity or 'sold as seen' not working. Restoring old kit is a bit of a hobby.

    Favourites are the little Cyrus boxes which are just honest amplifying bricks, the big Pioneer SA9800 which is just stunning to look at (inside and out) and the Quad 34/306 which sounds great (with a service) and is ergonomically excellent.

    Disappointments would be the Naim Nait which is crazy over-hyped IMO and the Exposure X which hissed badly. The Yaqin actually caught fire!

    I still have about 10 from the list.





  • alfamattalfamatt
    OK then, 
    Started with a Rotel 820bx (think that was the designation)
    Naim 32.5/110
    Naim 32.5/140
    Naim 82/180
    Naim 282/180
    Naim 282/250
    Replaced the 250 with Avondale M130's
    And the replaced the whole lot with my present amp,
    Graaf GM50b.
    It's a keeper!
    Matt.
  • scottyhammerscottyhammer
    edited February 2011
    From mid 70's

    Pioneer - something or other ?
    Nad 3020
    Naim nait 1
    Naim 72/140
    Naim 82/180/HC
    Naim 282/250/HC
    Graaf gm50b (can never say keeper but for now something will have to be rather special for me to part with this baby)   
    \:D/
  • Papa_LazarouPapa_Lazarou
    Pioneer A400

    Meridian 501.2 pre with 555 power

    Meridian 502 pre with 557 power

    Meridian 502 pre with Audio Synthesis
    Desire Decade Blackgate power

    Bel Canto Pre2 with Ref1000 monos

    Karan KA-I 180

    Audio Note Japan M7 pre with New Audio Frontiers 845SE power


  • SteveS1SteveS1
    edited February 2011
    Amstrad - nearly killed me.
    Marantz PM510
    Nad 3020
    Naim 42/110 CB
    Quantum
    Naim 32.5/250 CB
    Naim 72/250 olive (backward step imo)
    Nait 2 (2nd system)
    Naim 52/250.2
    Berning ZH270

    An earlier experience with full range speakers presenting an easy load, would have saved a lot of this messing around.  Got too caught up in the 'source first' mantra.  Provided the source is decent quality I would focus entirely on room/speaker match first.

  • mattlynchmattlynch
    national panasonic
    rogers ravensbrook
    rogers cadet
    pioneer sx450
    pioneer sa 500a
    technics sua 600
    leak stereo20
    leak tl12 (pop went that weasle)
    audiolab 8000a
    musical fidelity pre 3b 170 power
    pre 3b with two cambridge p500
    nakamichi ca5e pa 5
    musical fidelity xt100
    another audiolab 8000a
    inca tech the claymore (at last) such a fine amp
    all the best
    matt


  • uglymusicuglymusic
    I don't think I've ever heard a Claymore. I notice at least a couple of rigs here with them.
  • AlanAlan
    The Claymore, by Inca Tech? Gromit uses one now IIRC. And those exotic muscle-amps that @Quickie is selling are from the same stable, except much much bigger.
  • flatpopelyflatpopely
    edited June 2011

    Dynatron music system (pretty damn fine)

    NAD3020

    ONIX OA21

    NAIM NAC92/FlatCAP/NAP90.3

    NAIM NAC72 (replaced 92)

    Avondale ZAP250 (replaced 90.3)

    DIY TeddyReg dual PSU for NAC72 (replaced FlatCAP)

    NAIM NAP135s (replaced ZAP250)

  • MontyMonty
    Technics SP xxx ?

    Harmon Kardon xxx?

    Audiolab 8000A Mk2

    Naim NAP180/NAC82

    Added one Hicap, then 2

    Change the 180 for a 250-2

    Added Supercap2

    Sold all Naim then went to my current Melody i880 - I'm a happy man....
  • AlanAlan
    I don't know of Melody - how about a pic? :-D
  • quickiequickie
    edited June 2011
    Mission Cyrus 1 (original plastic case) Naim 42.5/90 NVA P50/A40 (Original bolt up cases) NVA AP20 NVA AP30 NVA AP50 Mission Cyrus 2 (later metal case) MYST TMA3 Onix OA20 Onix OA21 Onix OA22 Cambridge Audio A3i NVA P50/A80 monoblocks Ion Systems Obelisk 3X/XPAK1 Ion Systems Obelisk 3 Ion Systems Obelisk 2 Ion Systems Obelisk 1 Ion Systems Nexus SP1 Pre/TX750 P/S/MA40 Monos White Noise Audio pre/power Magnum Pre/power (MP250 power I think) Naim 62/140 Naim Nait 2 Naim 72/Super Reg Snaps/NAP110 Naim Nap250 Avondale Audio Grad 1/APX4 Inca Designs ID1P Preamp Inca Designs ID25 * Inca Designs ID75 Proto ID 25 Amp * TOCA 20W power amp x 2 * Proto 15W A class based on the TOCA Inca Tech Dirk Inca Tech Claymore (black) Inca tech Claymore (white)  Incatech IT50 Power amp Stuff marked * is for sale :)
  • uglymusicuglymusic
    edited June 2011
    Binatone something-or-other
    Cambridge something-or-other (it blew up expensively)
    Leak something-or-other
    Albarry M408s and various home-brew passives
    NVA P50/A60
    NVA P50/A70s
    NVA P50/A70/A80s (bi-amped)
    NVA Statement Pre and TDS monoblocks

    There have been others, but I've forgotten them. 

    There was a hated Audiolab 8000 integrated, and is a loved NVA AP20 integrated.

    Oh yes, and a Pioneer A400X in there somewhere.
  • AlanAlan
    Don't Binatone make phones?
  • uglymusicuglymusic
    Yup. We are talking the 70s here.
  • BrumjamBrumjam
    edited June 2011
    Denon integrated (model number escapes me)
    Cyrus 3
    Arcam AVR350
    Arcam AV9/P7 (still use these for movies)
    Lightspeed Attenuator
    Audio Note M1 Line Pre

  • bhobbabhobba
    edited June 2011
    Stating in 1973

    Amp built from Electronics Australia
    Proton 40W amp - basically a NAD clone
    Rotel 5ch 100W amp used to biamp Axis LS88's
    Rose Voix 8W Tripath Amp - good value but a little under powered for my speakers so on-sold it
    Redgum Sonofagum - unbelievable value for money (it can be had new for $450) - just as transparent as the best amps out there in terms of hearing changes in source equipment - great bass - but a bit ordinary in the midrange and you know it is a transistor amp.
    NAKSA 70W amp.  Top amp - up there with the best at any price - very non fatiguing, relaxing, non transistor sound - only sold it to upgrade to the 100W version but since then have found I prefer valves.
    Leben CS300XS - beautiful build quality and to my ears very transparent - especially in the midrange,  Best headphone amp I have ever heard - which is what a friend will be using it for.
    Trafomatic Experience 2 8W SET - my favorite amp so far and drives my 89db speakers surprisingly well.
    Audiosector 50W Patek for listening to movies etc and music more dynamic than the SET can really handle.

    Thanks
    Bill 
  • DocfosterDocfoster
    Starting in 1993...
    Kenwood 3020SE
    Musical Fidelity X-A2
    Musical Fidelity A3.2 integrated
    NVA P90 & A80s
    NVA P90SA & TSS mk3

    What can I say...?
    I'm just not as old as you lot... ;-)
  • ArfaArfa
    Quite a modest list in comparison to some of you lot.
    In my main rig:
    • Cambridge Audio A4
    • added a Cambridge Audio P500
    • Nad C370
    • Musical Fidelity P170
    • Exposure XXV
    • Primare SP31.7 pre/pro + Cairn K05 5 channel power amp.
    Dotted around the house I've had:-
    • Rogers Cadet 3
    • Leak Stereo 30
    • Harmon Kardon HK1400
    • Cambridge Audio A500
  • TimJTimJ

    Hello all - new here...

    From 1994:

    Rotel RA930AX (nice starter amp)

    Arcam Alpha 6 (quite a leap up)

    Naim Nait 3

    Naim 72/HC/140

    Naim 82/HC/180

    Naim 52/SC/135s (sold to fund engagement ring 9 years later...)

    Naim CB Nait 2 (still have it, and still love it...)

    NVA AP50 ( a bit of a revelation)

    Naim 72/HC/140 with NJ boards. (Good, but the AP50 was better)

    NVA P50SA/A80 monos (I hope...)

  • AlanAlan
    Hi Tim,

    Welcome Tim, I think you'll fit in quite well here...

    I am trying remember if I had a Rotel 930AX or a 931AX - it was something similar. I agree, a nice little amplifier (better if left permanently on) with a nice mid-range.

    I think mine was one of my first eBay purchases for about £35, and I sold it later for £90 ish. So started the HiFi roundabout...

    We have an introductions thread somewhere around here, if you so wish.
    :)
  • Brain_DeadBrain_Dead
    In the late 1970;s there was a fine Albarry Amp with heat sinks on each side, about 9inch deep and about 5 * 5 front. Nice amp do you have clue what it was anybody?
  • uglymusicuglymusic

    Hello all - new here...

    From 1994:

    Rotel RA930AX (nice starter amp)

    Arcam Alpha 6 (quite a leap up)

    Naim Nait 3

    Naim 72/HC/140

    Naim 82/HC/180

    Naim 52/SC/135s (sold to fund engagement ring 9 years later...)

    Naim CB Nait 2 (still have it, and still love it...)

    NVA AP50 ( a bit of a revelation)

    Naim 72/HC/140 with NJ boards. (Good, but the AP50 was better)

    NVA P50SA/A80 monos (I hope...)

    Welcome, Tim

    Is the P50SA/A80s coming? Nice gear
  • uglymusicuglymusic
    In the late 1970;s there was a fine Albarry Amp with heat sinks on each side, about 9inch deep and about 5 * 5 front. Nice amp do you have clue what it was anybody?
    Are you talking about the 408 monoblocks Col? I used to have a set of 408 Series 2s.
  • AlanAlan
    Gorgeous looking amps, Albarrys - I understand they sound very fine too.

    What happened to your Albarrys Dave?If I had a set of those I'd not sell them, even if I just them on a shelf to look at! :D
  • uglymusicuglymusic
    I gave them to an amplifier designer (close to us, but not on this forum) who said he'd repair them for me. He has not replied to my attempts to get them back.
  • AlanAlan
    Thats more than slightly annoying then!

    Especially as Albarry are back on the scene and could have repaired them to original spec. And given them back. #:-S
  • AlanAlan
    ^wrong smilie, posted from my phone byy my fat finger.
  • Brain_DeadBrain_Dead
    In the late 1970;s there was a fine Albarry Amp with heat sinks on each side, about 9inch deep and about 5 * 5 front. Nice amp do you have clue what it was anybody?
    Are you talking about the 408 monoblocks Col? I used to have a set of 408 Series 2s.
    That the one lovely amps,well made sound fantastic.
  • WKBWKB
    Starting in 1972 'ish:

    Trio KA 2002 - used with BSR Mcdonald deck & Wharfdale Denton kit speakers in cabinets made by my old man. Still the most exciting hi-fi ever.
    Cambridge Audio P40 - fond memories but it kept blowing the tweeters on my Ditton 44's
    Sansui AU217 - only bought because the Cambridge died
    MF Pre 3a/P140 - still going strong in the shed after c. 25 years
    Densen B200/B300
    ATC CA2/P1


  • uglymusicuglymusic
    In the late 1970;s there was a fine Albarry Amp with heat sinks on each side, about 9inch deep and about 5 * 5 front. Nice amp do you have clue what it was anybody?
    Are you talking about the 408 monoblocks Col? I used to have a set of 408 Series 2s.
    That the one lovely amps,well made sound fantastic.
    Not as nice as NVAs, but still pretty good. I was using them before I went all black boxy.
  • DocfosterDocfoster
    Starting in 1972 'ish:

    Trio KA 2002 - used with BSR Mcdonald deck & Wharfdale Denton kit speakers in cabinets made by my old man. Still the most exciting hi-fi ever.
    Cambridge Audio P40 - fond memories but it kept blowing the tweeters on my Ditton 44's
    Sansui AU217 - only bought because the Cambridge died
    MF Pre 3a/P140 - still going strong in the shed after c. 25 years
    Densen B200/B300
    ATC CA2/P1


    The shed?
    I have an amp in th attic.
    May be we need a "most lonely amp" thread...?
  • TimJTimJ
    Hi Tim,

    Welcome Tim, I think you'll fit in quite well here...

    I am trying remember if I had a Rotel 930AX or a 931AX - it was something similar. I agree, a nice little amplifier (better if left permanently on) with a nice mid-range.

    I think mine was one of my first eBay purchases for about £35, and I sold it later for £90 ish. So started the HiFi roundabout...

    We have an introductions thread somewhere around here, if you so wish.
    :)




    Thanks. At the slight risk of thread diversion; things I always wanted to try but could never find at the right time:

     

    Audio Note Oto SE

    DNM 3C anything

    Audio Innovations S700 integrated

    Lavardin IS (or preferably IT).

     

    I hope and suspect that NVA pre/powers might be a pretty good, and in some ways better, approximation....

  • RobblesworthRobblesworth
    Gromit said:
    Starting in 1978 with a hand-me-down from my dad...

    Sugden A21 ****
    Akai AA5200 **
    NAD 3020A ***
    Rotel RA820B ****
    Mission Cyrus 2 *
    Creek 4140 *****
    Nytech CA252 ***
    A&R Cambridge A60 ****
    Creek 4040s2 ****
    NAD 3130 ***
    Naim Nait 2 (CB) ****
    Exposure X *****
    Exposure 3010 **
    Exposure Super XV *****
    Exposure (there's a pattern forming here!) Dual VI/VII/IV Dual ****
    Exposure XI/XII/IVDR ****
    Exposure XI/IX/IVDR *****
    Icon Audio MC34A **
    WAD KEL84 ****
    Puresound A30 ****
    Cambridge Audio 840A **
    NVA P50sa/A70 mono's ***
    NVA P50sa/A60/A30 (bi-amp) ****
    Naim NAC72/HiCap/NAP180 ***
    NVA P90sa/A80 mono's ****
    NVA P90sa/A80/A40 (bi-amp) *****
    NVA AP80 ****
    Naim Nait 2 (olive) ***
    NVA AP40PX ****
    NVA P90sa/WAD KaT34 ****
    Exposure IX/XIV/IVDR ****
    Exposure XXIRC/Super XVIII mono's *****
    Inca Tech Claymore **** (still got)


    How did you find the Naim Nait 2 ?
  • cj66cj66
    Wow, thread revival after 13 years of being dormant.

    Amp list for me starts 1983...ish.
    Marantz PM230
    NAD 3020B
    Inca Tech Claymore (iss6)
    Exposure, started with VI, dVII, sVIII.
    ...Finished on IX, XI, V, 2X IVDr.
    The following all owned at the same time (overlapped)
    Audio Analogue Puccini se, Naim Nait2 olive, Magnum IA125, another Claymore iis6, Exposure XV.

    Despite being an Exposure fanboy I did not like the XV, finding it dull and uninvolving. I was equally dismissive of the Nait2 but for being underpowered and thin.

    I still have the Claymore but my main amp is a class A pre/power DIY project from another forum.
  • RobblesworthRobblesworth
    I have Bel canto class D and it sounds very good. sugden class A before that that has been bettered by the Bel Canto.
  • AntiCrapAntiCrap
    edited April 2023
    1970s Panasonic (crap)
    Radford
    Home made thing age 17yrs
    ProAc Magnum
    Dreadnought
    Magnum A100 and pre
    Inca Tech Claymore
    Inca Tech Claymore 2
    Inca Tech Sabre
    Inca Design SECA
    Oberon
    TOCA SECA 20W,50W,100W, 200W.300W
    TOCA Pre
    Tellurium Q Atom, Pre, Claymore SECA 20
    EWA 50W SECA
    EWA Claymore Retro
    EWA M50
    EWA Turbo WB
    One4Audio M40 and P40 pre
    And in the past a home made tube amp still swimming under Southend Pier.

    800W Class D (sounded shit)

  • uglymusicuglymusic
    @cj66 You can't keep a good thread down!

    S'funny, I thought you'd built one of Colin's kits. I see you have a different Class A entirely!

    Anyway, I can't remember all of the gear I've had (a short period as a reviewer certainly muddied the waters), but here are the amps I've actually owned (possibly with some gaps):

    Binatone something-or-other
    A Leak amp, I think, that I bought when working in a photo/hi-fi shop on Saturdays. That amp, whatever it was, saw me through university
    Cambridge A40(???) - late 70s/early 80s integrated, bought secondhand
    The original Albarry monoblocks with the red front panels with a number of home-brew passive pre-amps
    Then, every NVA amp from A30 integrated to Statement pre/power
    The late lamented Colin Wonfor Green Goddess 12WPC SECA power amp
    TQ Listen Pre/TQ Atom Power x2
    Colin Wonfor Custom 30WPC SECA Monoblocks  

  • cj66cj66
    uglymusic said:
    @cj66 You can't keep a good thread down!

    S'funny, I thought you'd built one of Colin's kits. I see you have a different Class A entirely!



    Aye, tis a different beast entirely. The power is a 15w design, tweaked to nearer 20w.The pre doubles as the best headphone amp I've ever heard.

    I've always fancied one of Colin's class A monsters but hobby time to build or hobby cash to spend on built have not been willing.

    If still available I may be in a position this year to build a 30 watter. Did a matching pre amp ever materialise?
  • AntiCrapAntiCrap
    cj66

    Get a hold of Paul Quick Quickie, he has a few sets of the 1990 original PCB that can be made as Monster slave configuration from 20W to 300W.
    Bill has a 50W version and posts.


    This is a 300W mono SECA 30 of output FETs, 3KVA TX, 4.7F caps 3 sets , 180Kgs 1.8KW on standby. 1.8M high.
    This uses 5 of the circuit board Paul has.

  • uglymusicuglymusic
    1.8KW on standby!!!
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