Future amplifier classics

[Electro]

I have a suggestions which I still own *smile*

The Mission 776 battery powered pre- amp and Mission 777 Hexfet power amp , I still have a pre - amp and two power amps in my loft .

A classic Stan Curtis designed amplifier in a totally unique but functional casework , sounds wonderful too !

 

[steve_1979]

Technically not a hifi amp but I'd nominate the Yamaha RX-V667 as a future classic 'AV receiver'.

An immensely popular 'does it all' budget receiver that sounds far better with music than it's £300 when new price tag should allow. I remember fr0g mentioning that he replaced a very expensive hifi amp with one of these to run his Dali floorstanders and couldn't hear any difference.

 

[Vladimir]

To me future classics have to be those affordable types that really stand out in build and sound quality that went on to sell in large numbers much like the aforementioned NAD and A400.....(although here I would have substituted A300R which was actually better allround but never quite sold in the same numbers).

As such I, along with the Rega Brio-R, would nominate the Creek Evolution 50A and the Roksan Caspian M2 along with the Icon Audio Stereo 40 valve amp.

Oh, and one that deserves to be (but probably will not as nobody has heard of them) is the Hegel H80...... and also anything made by Tom Evans Audio Design *clapping*

Budget unlimited (D'Agostino Momentum integrated) does not really work with classic amps because to become a classic I think you need plenty of people to have actually owned them 🙂

Excellent nominations.

I agree that the budget disco hits will be on everyones begginer audiophile radar in the future, but let's not forget that audiophiles love buying old Top Of The Line kit. In Rega's sitution that would be owning the Brio-R because it's cute and the Osiris because is TOTL stuff. For Leema that would be Leema Pulse (or Elements, let the jury decide) and Tucana. People will debate if mkI or mkII is better and more collectable, as they do now.

 

[Vladimir]

Surely not.

Rega's Brio-R doesn't charter any new territory. The format (half width) has been done many times, the power, construction and facilities are run of the mill for products at that price.

If Rega would manage to produce it at £250 RRP then perhaps yes.

I find something like Micromega's Myamp far more interesting for several reasons though its unlikely to be a 'future classic' either, things are just moving to fast at present. Something like Naim's uniqute or similar would also be deserving of special mention in the future but for the same reasons as mentioned before, the pace with which these products emerge these days, will make it difficult for any of those to stand out as a true trail blazer, lacking the 'staying power' such products require.

To me, a classic product needs to have something unique, be that price, looks, engineering, innovation or facilities. I can't see Rega's amplifier having any of those that make it stand out in any way.

AVI's ADM could possibly have qualified if it had been more main stream and Devialet is probably standing up there somewhere, its exclusivity guarded by the price tag and other things that are quite unique.

regards

Naim Uniqute in the future:

Devialet in the future:

Firstly, from past experience, anything all-in-one hi-fi that doesn't have futuristic industrial design, is destined to look its age in the future, if not older.

Secondly, if an all-in-one has sources embedded that don't cover ground for the future 10 years at least, they will be less appealing. Example the Naim Uniqute has a CD and the Devialet has only wireles reception. Bad future karma for the Uniqute IMO.

And thirdly *biggrin*, Devialet is a boutique receiver, unlike Uniqute which is parts of Naim budget range crammed into all-in-one box (including outdated source media - CD), with "the future of hi-fi" marketing sticker added to it.

Just my two clairvoyant centavos on this, of course.

 

[Vladimir]

I have a suggestions which I still own *smile*

The Mission 776 battery powered pre- amp and Mission 777 Hexfet power amp , I still have a pre - amp and two power amps in my loft .

A classic Stan Curtis designed amplifier in a totally unique but functional casework , sounds wonderful too !

Anyone retiring from the Railway will want that!

 

[Vladimir]

Technically not a hifi amp but I'd nominate the Yamaha RX-V667 as a future classic 'AV receiver'.

An immensely popular 'does it all' budget receiver that sounds far better with music than it's £300 when new price tag should allow. I remember fr0g mentioning that he replaced a very expensive hifi amp with one of these to run his Dali floorstanders and couldn't hear any difference.

Not so sure if it will reach the glory of 70's Marantz receivers, but who knows.

I think the Sony STR-930DB QS might be a future classic because of its uncommon build quality at that price range and the reputation of a giant killer (pronounced giant killa).

 

[Vladimir]

The present:

The future:

 

[stevebrock]

chebby on his highhorse again

Shhhurley 'hobbyhorse'........ Ed

Whatever, he is quite correct.

Here we go again Chebbys been on't interweb trawling and being his c***y self, makes out he knows it all and be-littles someone in the process.

 

[Al ears]

Once again what started as quite an interesting post is being dragged kicking and screaming away from it's initial question.

Well, it is a Sunday (at least it is where I come from)

Anyway, if we are diverging, it is my opinion Vladimir that the CD is far from defunct and certainly not yet become 'outdated source media' (about as defunt as vinyl perhaps). Perhaps this is why the big (and the expensive) boys are still producing players and transports. As I frequently post, until all the music I happen to want to add to my collection becomes available as a hi-res download (and not an itunes / Amazon low quality file) then I will continue buying said items.

 

[Vladimir]

Anyway, if we are diverging, it is my opinion Vladimir that the CD is far from defunct and certainly not yet become 'outdated source media' (about as defunt as vinyl perhaps). Perhaps this is why the big (and the expensive) boys are still producing players and transports. As I frequently post, until all the music I happen to want to add to my collection becomes available as a hi-res download (and not an itunes / Amazon low quality file) then I will continue buying said items.

Of course it is a process. People don't buy albums anymore. They buy individual songs via downloads and streaming services like spotify make even downloads now redundant. CD is quickly shrinking into the digital solid media audiophile niche. When was the last time you saw normal everyday people carry a CD diskman, play CDs in their car or buy CDs for the home? (yes, audiophiles are not normal)

 

[Al ears]

I do happen to know quite a few people (normal type) that still listen to CD's in their cars ... probably as they are (the cars) too old to have an input for the normal persons other form of sounds (normally an iPod of some ilk).

Normal people are indeed very sad.....*biggrin*

Perhaps I too an sad because I do buy albums, and listen to them from start to finish... (right that's blown it!)

 

[Electro]

I have a suggestions which I still own *smile*

The Mission 776 battery powered pre- amp and Mission 777 Hexfet power amp , I still have a pre - amp and two power amps in my loft .

A classic Stan Curtis designed amplifier in a totally unique but functional casework , sounds wonderful too !

Anyone retiring from the Railway will want that!

They are carved from the offcuts of Stonehenge so they may have more appeal to the Druid population *biggrin* *blum3*

 

[Vladimir]

Why today there are amplifiers and receivers still made with tape loop? Who listens to tape anymore? Who makes mixtapes to impress a girl these days?

I'm rubbing my crystal ball and I can see redundant CD input in the future of domestic amplification.

 

[drummerman]

The longer I think about this (interesting) subject, the more difficult I find it to name any current or recent amplifier that will go down as a classic.

In a way Vladimir, though endearingly naive but enthusiastic at times

, is correct in that a product in this category is probably best just an amplifier without any add-ons such as streaming etc. which will probably be superseded by something better before the blink of an eye. - I'll take my devialet recommendation out of the equation for that reason, as good an amplifier it probably is and as technically interesting it comes over at with its unique power-supply and speaker matching software. Their current range will probably seem old hat in a few years.

It is also for this reason that I cannot nominate Sony's absolutely stonkingly superb STR DB930 (which I have). I cannot think of any way of getting more amplifier, good phono stage and DAC's for the money. That it has been compared with superlatively expensive Conrad Johnson amplification only helps its matters but as the Devialet, it is a product that has certain things which have now been superseded and make it read dated (S-Video anyone?) - Grab a mint one while you still can would be my advise.

That probably just leaves simple amplifiers which will even in a few years time have their loyal following because they do the one simple thing they do, well.

So, as much as it pains me because of the current hype surrounding this relatively common and simple amplifier (I should be used to it by now, this is hifi after all) , I guess, the Brio-R could be there somewhere as it is relatively affordable (but not a bargain imo) and will be so increasingly as years go by.

As, I imagine, could be something like Marantzes 6004/5 amplfiers, for the same reason and being even cheaper and accessible to many a student on hard times. Plus it will have sold probably many times more than the Brio-R.

But and I am obviously biased here, for relative affordability in the greater scheme of things plus it's iconic looks, engineering prowess and upgradability in form of a 'relatively' (!) cheap power supply compared to some others I nominate the Cyrus 8vs2 as a future classic. The model before they tried to pack to much into the lovely, slender skandinavian made casing.

There you go

regards

 

[Vladimir]

I have a suggestions which I still own *smile*

The Mission 776 battery powered pre- amp and Mission 777 Hexfet power amp , I still have a pre - amp and two power amps in my loft .

A classic Stan Curtis designed amplifier in a totally unique but functional casework , sounds wonderful too !

Anyone retiring from the Railway will want that!

They are carved from the offcuts of Stonehenge so they may have more appeal to the Druid population *biggrin* *blum3*

Woah! *shok* I was just thinking that thing is either iron casted from old bridges and railroads or even better chiseled from Mayan stone. And there is an actual poster confirming this!

@DM

Marantz PM6004 would be more classical because it has no integrated DAC but the 6005 has a fully discrete phono stage. One of those will be a classic for sure, but which one again it depends on which sources will dominate in the audiophile community. Software leads the way, hardware just follows.

 

[Al ears]

Why today there are amplifiers and receivers still made with tape loop? Who listens to tape anymore? Who makes mixtapes to impress a girl these days?

I'm rubbing my crystal ball and I can see redundant CD input in the future of domestic amplification.

Oh dear, it would appear I am as achaic as that pile of rocks in Wiltshire that you mentioned. I still listen to the odd tape (via Walkman WM-D6C) of recordings unavailable on any other format.

Everyone knows tape loops are there so you can connect your super-duper headphone amps!

There were no offcuts from Stonehenge, everyone knows it was made to measure. And what have you got against Druids boyo????

 

[Vladimir]

And what have you got against Druids boyo????

Absolutely nothing. John Dee is my idol.

 

[Electro]

Woah! *shok* I was just thinking that thing is either iron casted from old bridges and railroads or even better chiseled from Mayan stone. And there is an actual poster confirming this!

Provenance is everything . *mosking*

 

[Al ears]

And what have you got against Druids boyo????

Absolutely nothing. John Dee is my idol.

And there was me thinking he was a mathematician...*biggrin*

Admittedly one that tried to commune with angels for some reason or another.

 

[nopiano]

I have a suggestions which I still own *smile*

The Mission 776 battery powered pre- amp and Mission 777 Hexfet power amp , I still have a pre - amp and two power amps in my loft .

A classic Stan Curtis designed amplifier in a totally unique but functional casework , sounds wonderful too!

Glad you posted these as I'd forgotten them. But regret that to me they look grotesque now, and not remotely anything I'd think of as classic - except maybe a classic backfire of ego and design. However, I have great respect for Stan's engineering skills and much of Mission's product range.

 

[MeanandGreen]

Why today there are amplifiers and receivers still made with tape loop? Who listens to tape anymore? Who makes mixtapes to impress a girl these days?

I'm rubbing my crystal ball and I can see redundant CD input in the future of domestic amplification.

I think they should be renamed recorder loops, rather than tape loops.

I have a recorder connected up to my tape loop, a Pioneer CD Recorder. Yes it has digital inputs too, but the analogue inputs do come in handy now and then for some things.

 

[Happy_Listner]

Elctro, Those are way cool! I never seen them before. Thanks for the post.

 

[ID.]

Why today there are amplifiers and receivers still made with tape loop? Who listens to tape anymore? Who makes mixtapes to impress a girl these days?

I'm rubbing my crystal ball and I can see redundant CD input in the future of domestic amplification.

I think they should be renamed recorder loops, rather than tape loops.

And I get this image

 

[Electro]

I have a suggestions which I still own *smile*

The Mission 776 battery powered pre- amp and Mission 777 Hexfet power amp , I still have a pre - amp and two power amps in my loft .

A classic Stan Curtis designed amplifier in a totally unique but functional casework , sounds wonderful too!

Glad you posted these as I'd forgotten them. But regret that to me they look grotesque now, and not remotely anything I'd think of as classic - except maybe a classic backfire of ego and design. However, I have great respect for Stan's engineering skills and much of Mission's product range.

They were most definitely a Mission Electronics statement product that most likely made a considerable loss for Mission profit wise .

The casework alone must have cost a fortune and many of the components were custom made .

This link describes the design . http://www.stancurtis.com/M777.htm

The 776 pre- amp though very innovative was the weak link but it was almost impossible to find another pre- amp that would work with the 777 power amp, but after many months of research and trying different options I tried the original Audiolab 8000Q pre-amp that had just been realeased on the market at a cost of around £1000 at the time and it was a match made in heaven . I used this combination for over ten years .

 

[davedotco]

Something like this maybe...?

The power amps would blow up regularly, the original Bob Stuart design and the later models by Stan Curtis.

I did own an early glass topped pre-amp though I am struggling to remember what power amplifier.

It may well have been my Phase Linear 400

I had mine, sans cabinet, hidden in a cupboard driving a pair of BC1s.

My hard rock loving mates laughed when they saw my Spendors, they all had JBLs or similar. I played them something that started with just a voice (Bad Company, I'm sure), then Simon Kirk's drums came in and left them with their chins on the floor.

273 watts a channel will do that........*yahoo*