That baby wins the contest!I am going to beat everyone: 1934.
Kit amplifier with parallel push-pull 47 output and 56 driver. All original tubes, but I had to replace interstage transformer - with historically correct one. I use this amp for playing 78 rpm records. The sound is refined and mellow.
View attachment 1097363
Nikko STA-8080, 1974, Japan. New bias and DC setting pots. Mostly recapped, although the original Mallory CE04W capacitors tested better than the new ones.
I still use a chip-amp I built in 1988 with the Sanyo STK4048XII to drive subs in my main system.
It's 150 Wrms stereo, dual Talema 200 VA torroids and 4 Nichicon 10K uF filter caps.
I built the case in 1975 for another amp and later re-used it for the STK.
I do have a replacement in the works but the STK just keeps going.
It's 150 Wrms stereo, dual Talema 200 VA torroids and 4 Nichicon 10K uF filter caps.
I built the case in 1975 for another amp and later re-used it for the STK.
I do have a replacement in the works but the STK just keeps going.
Last edited by a moderator:
First gen McIntosh MC-275. Heck, it's probably a bit older than I am, but still soldiering on. Gift from The Old Man™ to Mom & Dad when I was a kid. Mom gave it to me after Dad died. Put it and an MX-112 into service when the power supply in my MAC-4100 ate itself a few years back. One of the original KT-88s blew up rather spectacularly a while ago and scared the living daylights out of me, but thankfully the amp remained unharmed.
A pair of McIntosh MI350s which I completely restored and upgraded many years ago. The files can be viewed at:
https://www.zedaudiocorp.com/mi350.html
Other notable restorations I did at: https://www.zedaudiocorp.com/restoration.html
https://www.zedaudiocorp.com/mi350.html
Other notable restorations I did at: https://www.zedaudiocorp.com/restoration.html
Since it's about Solid-State, then I'll mention my Marantz from 1975 :
T



T
My oldest amp is a Fisher X-101-B from the early 60s. I'm not sure of the exact year, because I'm not the original owner, but the serial number suggests 1963, I believe. My second oldest is a Marantz 1060. I bought it used in 1974, but I don't think it was too old when I got it. Both are in my system today.
Attachments
The 1060 is not that great, I almost bought one, used, in 1980, but the Sansui G7500 bested it.
The Fisher... now that's interesting. Is it a three channel preamp (amp)? Can you take a shot of the back? How does it work?
You realize now I just had to update my search engine in hifishark?
The Fisher... now that's interesting. Is it a three channel preamp (amp)? Can you take a shot of the back? How does it work?
You realize now I just had to update my search engine in hifishark?
Last edited:
I'm not saying it's not a solid performer, at this point we're splitting some hairs, but IMHO, I thought the sound of the Sansui was "faster" and more nimble.
Perhaps comparing 90 wpc vs 30 was not fair...
I got a Marantz receiver of the same era as the 1060 ( it's a 2325 ) and it has the Marantz sound, which is sorta dark in comparison with the nimbler Sansui and its high speed transistors ( my vintage units have all been restored to OEM... no LEDs, no "upgraded" electronics ).
( I've also owned a 2220B and 2240.. and currently have a 4415 ).
Oh, I took a look as the specs of that Fisher. Yep, you don't want that old tube stuff.... PM me and I'll give you my address. 😀 😀 😀
Perhaps comparing 90 wpc vs 30 was not fair...
I got a Marantz receiver of the same era as the 1060 ( it's a 2325 ) and it has the Marantz sound, which is sorta dark in comparison with the nimbler Sansui and its high speed transistors ( my vintage units have all been restored to OEM... no LEDs, no "upgraded" electronics ).
( I've also owned a 2220B and 2240.. and currently have a 4415 ).
Oh, I took a look as the specs of that Fisher. Yep, you don't want that old tube stuff.... PM me and I'll give you my address. 😀 😀 😀
Last edited:
I disembowled my oldest working amplifier, Sumo Polaris. It now sports new boards and Toshiba Mosfets. It's in almost constant use. I think I have written about it before.
PM me if anyone is interested in the original boards. Just pay the postage.
PM me if anyone is interested in the original boards. Just pay the postage.
Some of my favourite tubes! You really need a pair of these!!!I am going to beat everyone: 1934.
Kit amplifier with parallel push-pull 47 output and 56 driver. All original tubes, but I had to replace interstage transformer - with historically correct one. I use this amp for playing 78 rpm records. The sound is refined and mellow.
View attachment 1097363
Hi
I still use 2 Kenwood Basic M2, and 1 Kenwood Basic M1, the M2 are completely rebuild using DRM
parts in 2012, I bought the amps in 1984/85.
I use them in my second setup in my hobby room, active setup.
Cheers, Tom.
I still use 2 Kenwood Basic M2, and 1 Kenwood Basic M1, the M2 are completely rebuild using DRM
parts in 2012, I bought the amps in 1984/85.
I use them in my second setup in my hobby room, active setup.
Cheers, Tom.
Well, if you are talking about the oldest amps in use, seems we’d quickly end up with tubesThis thread went from solid state to tubes in no time.
Is this a kit from 1934, or is it a kit using tubes from 1934? If the former, that is a serious piece of audio history!I am going to beat everyone: 1934.
Kit amplifier with parallel push-pull 47 output and 56 driver. All original tubes, but I had to replace interstage transformer - with historically correct one. I use this amp for playing 78 rpm records. The sound is refined and mellow.
View attachment 1097363
They just don’t make beautiful looking gear anymore. All of the stuff from the 70’s and 80’s looked good. Some fantastic pictures here. 👍
- Home
- Amplifiers
- Solid State
- Oldest amp you still use?