What's your favorite amp you've own(ed)?

Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
My favorite amp is the one I now have. It's 2 channels at 200 wpc, and bought it used for $400.

That's $1 per watt :D :D :D.
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
my first Nelson Pass amp (Threshold S300) back in the mid eighties driving my Maggie 3.6's, made great music together. The Hafler amp I had before that driving my Dalquist DQ-10's was a nice match as well
 
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lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
My pleasure @lovinthehd, how may liberals does it take to change a light bulb? None, they rather sit in the dark and blame it on Trump. Oh jeezeee I can just see the down votes rolling in.
The drumpf knows amps?! Wtf does this have to do with your "favorite" amp or you are as nonsensical as the drumpf?
 
CB22

CB22

Senior Audioholic
The drumpf knows amps?! Wtf does this have to do with your "favorite" amp or you are as nonsensical as the drumpf?
My apologies, I thought you wanted me to entertain you. I thought a "nonsensical" joke might get a :p. But to answer your question I have never owed a standalone amplifier, just two AVRs in my time. I came closed to going with an Emotiva separates set-up but never got it. Decided with the AVR instead.
 
M

MrBoat

Audioholic Ninja
I have to say my Adcom GFA-5500 with the GFP-750 (IIRC) preamp. I got them from a roomie who was rent poor and audio rich. I used it for about 4 years and ended up loaning it to my cousin, who uses it to power his vinyl collection. He put $400 into it and he can have it as long as he doesn't sell it. I won't say it sounds better than my current amps, just that it had this rather distinct, analog powerhouse presence about it that was quite pleasing. That, and it would drive any speaker I ever hooked up to it without issue. That's half of how I ended up here on AH, seeing what I could get that was comparable to that system yet affordable so's I didn't have to ask him for it back even though he offered.

And even after being used to that, I have been impressed by this old Denon 3805 for 2 channel use and never really looked back or wanted for an upgrade.

Recently added a couple of Nelson Pass DIY mono blocks and these are quickly becoming favorites as power for my Fusion-12 Tempest speakers.
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
I have to say my Adcom GFA-5500 with the GFP-750 (IIRC) preamp. I got them from a roomie who was rent poor and audio rich. I used it for about 4 years and ended up loaning it to my cousin, who uses it to power his vinyl collection. He put $400 into it and he can have it as long as he doesn't sell it. I won't say it sounds better than my current amps, just that it had this rather distinct, analog powerhouse presence about it that was quite pleasing. That, and it would drive any speaker I ever hooked up to it without issue. That's half of how I ended up here on AH, seeing what I could get that was comparable to that system yet affordable so's I didn't have to ask him for it back even though he offered.

And even after being used to that, I have been impressed by this old Denon 3805 for 2 channel use and never really looked back or wanted for an upgrade.

Recently added a couple of Nelson Pass DIY mono blocks and these are quickly becoming favorites as power for my Fusion-12 Tempest speakers.
Adcom was a fine amp, had one myself for awhile, went on to my son to get his audio kit up and running. I might be wrong but I think Nelson Pass was behind the design.
 

TechHDS

Audioholic General
The drumpf knows amps?! Wtf does this have to do with your "favorite" amp or you are as nonsensical as the drumpf?
Lol, @lovinthehd , man you sure speak what’s on you mind lol. Gotta respect that , in trumps voice : ( I make deals that’s what I do ). Doesn’t the Devil make deals that’s what he does. But he never keeps his promises or can void the deal at his choosing. Lol.
 

TechHDS

Audioholic General
My favorite amp was a Bob Carver amp TFM 35, loved that amp. My 2nd was XPA-2 EMO as much as I liked that amp my opinion of it Was it didn’t have the gonads the Carver amp had but that was a long time ago with the Carver so going from memory here .
 
J

Jeepers

Full Audioholic
The Yamaha A-1000 (stereo, 120 wpc) purchased in 1983 together with the B&W DM3000 speakers (1983 as well) were my first decent and still favourite setup. I kept these until 2005 when I fell for the surround hype. Since 2011 I am back into stereo with better gear than in 1983.
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
The Yamaha A-1000 (stereo, 120 wpc) purchased in 1983 together with the B&W DM3000 speakers (1983 as well) were my first decent and still favourite setup. I kept these until 2005 when I fell for the surround hype. Since 2011 I am back into stereo with better gear than in 1983.
so your new stuff is better than what you had 35 years ago but hasn't gained 'favorite' status yet ? tell us about it .......
 
J

Jeepers

Full Audioholic
so your new stuff is better than what you had 35 years ago but hasn't gained 'favorite' status yet ? tell us about it .......
In 1983 I was 22 and it took me quite some time to save the money I needed to buy that gear so I had more joy when I finally unboxed the equipment at home and immediately noticed the improvement, sound wise, over my previous gear. The current gear is better but I am now indeed 35 years older with more financial means so I can afford it. Every time I purchase something new I want something better than before but the quality improvement with every purchase becomes less than before. I am not a millionaire so I also have my limits....
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Definitely the Quad current dumping amps.

These 7 Quad 909s power my 7.1 HT system.





I use one for my downstairs system with a 405 II powering the subs, and I use one to power the top end of the right and left mains of the system at out Eagan house with 405 IIs power the bass sections and the center.





I love these amps. They are powerful and silky smooth.
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
In 1983 I was 22 and it took me quite some time to save the money I needed to buy that gear so I had more joy when I finally unboxed the equipment at home and immediately noticed the improvement, sound wise, over my previous gear. The current gear is better but I am now indeed 35 years older with more financial means so I can afford it. Every time I purchase something new I want something better than before but the quality improvement with every purchase becomes less than before. I am not a millionaire so I also have my limits....
Excellent , well said !!!! I hear you , 'loud and clear' !
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
Definitely the Quad current dumping amps.

These 7 Quad 909s power my 7.1 HT system.





I use one for my downstairs system with a 405 II powering the subs, and I use one to power the top end of the right and left mains of the system at out Eagan house with 405 IIs power the bass sections and the center.





I love these amps. They are powerful and silky smooth.
very nice, me likes ....... a lot !!
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
My apologies, I thought you wanted me to entertain you. I thought a "nonsensical" joke might get a :p. But to answer your question I have never owed a standalone amplifier, just two AVRs in my time. I came closed to going with an Emotiva separates set-up but never got it. Decided with the AVR instead.
You didn't mention that :)

I guess my first was a favorite, a Carver M-500, altho that one died in smoke after being in storage and a move....but still have two others altho they're the M500t's. Current favorite are my Crown XLS 1500s for being even more useful...
 
Johnny2Bad

Johnny2Bad

Audioholic Chief
Threshold 400A, Luxman Lab Reference Series 5L15, and my current Anthem Amp1.
 
CB22

CB22

Senior Audioholic
Definitely the Quad current dumping amps.

These 7 Quad 909s power my 7.1 HT system.





I use one for my downstairs system with a 405 II powering the subs, and I use one to power the top end of the right and left mains of the system at out Eagan house with 405 IIs power the bass sections and the center.





I love these amps. They are powerful and silky smooth.
ohhhh mmyyyy gooddddd. How about that transformer and the steal bracket on that thing! That looks like one quality amp.
 

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