What are your favorite vintage SS amps?

[Marvel]

13 hours ago, hanksjim1 said:

If you haven't read them yet...lot's of posts with forum mystery and intrigue about a little modified D-45 nicknamed "The Duke" owned and passed on by several members (not sure it's current whereabouts)  I find them very entertaining,  Here's one:

 

 

I still have it... sold my Welborne Labs Moondog 2A3 amps (had said I would never sell them).

 

The Duke works well and I intend to keep it. It works well powering my Heresy IIs, and also was fine with my La Scalas amd MWM bass cabinets, which are now gone. Intent is to buildeither new LS or Peavey FH-1 cabs and use a 2 inch throat driver and digital crossover.

 

I have the crossover (dbx venue 360) and 2 amps (the Duke and XLi800). Things keep getting in the way. Am having prostate surgery in a couple weeks, so all projects are on hold for now.

 

[the real Duke Spinner]

5 minutes ago, Marvel said:

 

I still have it... sold my Welborne Labs Moondog 2A3 amps (had said I would never sell them).

 

The Duke works well and I intend to keep it. It works well powering my Heresy IIs, and also was fine with my La Scalas amd MWM bass cabinets, which are now gone. Intent is to buildeither new LS or Peavey FH-1 cabs and use a 2 inch throat driver and digital crossover.

 

I have the crossover (dbx venue 360) and 2 amps (the Duke and XLi800). Things keep getting in the way. Am having prostate surgery in a couple weeks, so all projects are on hold for now.

 

I am kinda working well ..

Nice to have a Product with my Name onnit. 😛

[the real Duke Spinner]

7 minutes ago, Marvel said:

 

I still have it... sold my Welborne Labs Moondog 2A3 amps (had said I would never sell them).

 

The Duke works well and I intend to keep it. It works well powering my Heresy IIs, and also was fine with my La Scalas amd MWM bass cabinets, which are now gone. Intent is to buildeither new LS or Peavey FH-1 cabs and use a 2 inch throat driver and digital crossover.

 

I have the crossover (dbx venue 360) and 2 amps (the Duke and XLi800). Things keep getting in the way. Am having prostate surgery in a couple weeks, so all projects are on hold for now.

 

Yeouchhh ...

Friend just got done with 

that the recovery time he was told was waaaay optimistic

Just so you know

[Marvel]

1 minute ago, the real Duke Spinner said:

Yeouchhh ...

Friend just got done with 

that the recovery time he was told was waaaay optimistic

Just so you know

 

BIL had the robotic done 17 years ago. His recovery was reasonably quick and had zero issues. Anyway... back to amps.

[Klipschguy]

On 8/13/2022 at 5:29 PM, hanksjim1 said:

While you're searching for the high end classic SS amp, swap in an inexpensive Crown D-45 or D-75 (regular or "A" versions)...they are bulletproof, quiet, cheap and have XLR connections for good grounding...good enough for many studios in the day.  I have tried on Khorns and LaScalas with good results.

 

 

 

 

 

On 8/13/2022 at 7:04 PM, the real Duke Spinner said:

Make sure they are the "A" models Much improvement there

The crown recommendation is interesting.  Sadly, I have never heard one.  What improvements does the A version have?  It looks the only the D75 (not A) has unbalanced inputs. 

[hanksjim1]

The "A" version has a combination balanced XLR/1/4" jack inputs.  I've used rca to phono jack cables without issues on the "A" (I don't believe they were balanced, others may chime in)

 

Some of the later A versions were made in China, USA models preferred

 

The older one has different speaker connections (banana plug/twist on post vs. simple screws)

 

...and the older version has a mono/stereo switch on the back which was moved inside in the A versions (which necessitated taking the cover off to change switch settings to enable bridged mono)

 

here's more:

 

https://kenrockwell.com/audio/crown/d-75.htm

 

 

[Klipschguy]

Marvel, I saw you mentioned a surgical procedure in your near future; I hope it goes smoothly with an excellent outcome. 

[Bubo]

Lots of good equipment out there

 

From my experience, McIntosh and Yamaha's TOTL products are hard to beat.

 

Remember, it's the first half Watt that you listen to most of the time.

[henry4841]

9 minutes ago, Bubo said:

 

Remember, it's the first half Watt that you listen to most of the time.

🙂

[the real Duke Spinner]

On 8/14/2022 at 3:31 PM, Klipschguy said:

 

The crown recommendation is interesting.  Sadly, I have never heard one.  What improvements does the A version have?  It looks the only the D75 (not A) has unbalanced inputs. 

It will s a much upgraded circuit, after years of production

They learned a few things

 

[svberger]

McIntosh MC2105.

 

I foolishly sold mine last year while I was in the midst of buying madness acquiring McIntosh tube gear(MC30, MC225, MC240, MX110, C11) within a few month period. Figured that was it for solid state, and I had a MC2120 as a spare that I couldn't seem to unload(people don't like vintage ss Mac with those meters). Well, it became clear to me over the last few months that I really wish I hadn't. This amp is special and so seemingly tailored to my listening preferences, and so perfectly matches up to the MX110z(or C11) pre, not to mention arguably one of the best looking amps out there, that it became evident that I needed to reacquire. Search on, and this week a local Bay Area musician(played prominent roles with both Santana, Eddie Money &  Chris Isaak) was selling one for a pal of his in financial and health straits.  He was able to provide a full(and colorful) history of the amp, and the cleaning up/checking up on it to get it back into shape. It was local, it was selling for a great price(IMO), and he agreed to deliver it. A no brainer. Back here today, looking spiffy, and being used to drive a pair of AR3's. My La Scala's are driven by the MC30's, and that's a combo I ain't planning on changing anytime soon.

 

 

[Dave1291]

Picked this up at auction this spring, gone over and another check off on my bucket list.  

 

 

Back in the day I wanted one of these soooo bad but $3k was crazy.  Made from 1978-85 I think but it pairs so well w/my old Thorens TD-165 and my 1981 Heresy.  Has that sweet McIntosh voice and sounds fantastic.  Nice to just push that button and go back to a SS system in the morning over coffee.  Things get serious, I just step on the gas and the LS if I want to spin.  Just something off my bucket list I felt like doing.  Simple. 

[Frzninvt]

Well let's see.  The super rare DBX BXI of which I was running two of at one point.  The Nakamichi PA-7II, Yahama MX-1000U, Onkyo M508 Grand Integra also come to mind.

 

[Weltfaul]

It may not compare to the posh amps I see here, but I am using a TEAC A-H500i with my Klipsch Heresy IIIs currently, and I am extremely satisfied with the combination.

The TEAC is a serious amp, dual-mono circuit, toroidal transformer and solid build. It's pleasant to use, sounds fine and hasn't made me regret the Pass INT-25 I used to own.

It costed €220 and caused my lost of interest in expensive audio.

 

 

[Klipschguy]

On 8/17/2022 at 9:57 AM, svberger said:

McIntosh MC2105.

 

I foolishly sold mine last year while I was in the midst of buying madness acquiring McIntosh tube gear(MC30, MC225, MC240, MX110, C11) within a few month period. Figured that was it for solid state, and I had a MC2120 as a spare that I couldn't seem to unload(people don't like vintage ss Mac with those meters). Well, it became clear to me over the last few months that I really wish I hadn't. This amp is special and so seemingly tailored to my listening preferences, and so perfectly matches up to the MX110z(or C11) pre, not to mention arguably one of the best looking amps out there, that it became evident that I needed to reacquire. Search on, and this week a local Bay Area musician(played prominent roles with both Santana, Eddie Money &  Chris Isaak) was selling one for a pal of his in financial and health straits.  He was able to provide a full(and colorful) history of the amp, and the cleaning up/checking up on it to get it back into shape. It was local, it was selling for a great price(IMO), and he agreed to deliver it. A no brainer. Back here today, looking spiffy, and being used to drive a pair of AR3's. My La Scala's are driven by the MC30's, and that's a combo I ain't planning on changing anytime soon.

 

 

 

I hear you; my Mac 2105 is the bee’s knees!

 

BTW, I think the meters are fantastic; you can watch them dance to the music. They also provide useful information. 

[ckc]

5 hours ago, Weltfaul said:

It may not compare to the posh amps I see here, but I am using a TEAC A-H500i with my Klipsch Heresy IIIs currently, and I am extremely satisfied with the combination.

The TEAC is a serious amp, dual-mono circuit, toroidal transformer and solid build. It's pleasant to use, sounds fine and hasn't made me regret the Pass INT-25 I used to own.

It costed €220 and caused my lost of interest in expensive audio.

 

 

the button or knob seem chrome plated?

[Speed]

On 8/13/2022 at 2:38 PM, Emile said:

Kenwood Basic M2A

Bought one in 85, and 87. I think they were $499 in the PX, I really wanted the M-80 but they were $799...

[Searing75]

G

[Weltfaul]

12 hours ago, ckc said:

the button or knob seem chrome plated?

Hi,

 

it's all in a finish they call champagne; the front panel is thick and the knobs apparently made from solid. Good build, in my experience.

[Weltfaul]

Large toroidal, full dual mono circuit and 4 transistors per side. Decent phono stage. 50W RMS. If one can get past its 'commercial' looks and pretend it's a boutique amp, a successful buy..

😉

 

Edited August 20, 2022 by Weltfaul