Phil, I know U won't read this, but .... A&R Cambridge A60. Still got one. Romulus Valve Amps and Moth Audio 100 Watt Mono Blox. Superb. Still got mine and they are all still going strong ..... I use the Moths to drive my Original Magnaplanar SMGa Panel Speakers. Wow, What a Sound. The Pre-Amp is a ( as U mentioned ) Musical Fidelity ''The Pre-Amp'' ..... Sounds Stunning, all these years later. And yep, still got my 'Mint' Creek 4040 Amp and matching 3040 FM Tuner .... Plus Pioneer A400 / Sondex S230 ( remember those ! ? ) ... Beard / Croft & Audio Innovations Valve Amps. AND a Shed Load of Quad Gear ..... And still sounding amazing today are the Meridian 101B Pre and 104 Tuner ( with a 200 CD Transport ) driving the M2 or M3 Active Speakers. Yes, I do have new, modern gear also, but I 'do' like my 'proper' Hi-Fi .... Erm Yeh, Audiolab. I was never a Fan. Still not. I home demo'd a 9000A Amp but, ended up buying a Rega Elicit mk 5 instead. ... And also the excellent Lyngdorf TDAi 1120 ... ( for 'Streaming Duties' ) .... A nice "nostalgic'' Video. Keep the Video's coming. Thanks.

The NAD 3020 was my first proper piece of HiFi. I absolutely loved it. Moved on to an Audiolab 8000A. A lifetime later I still have a soft spot for the 3020.

My brother had a NAD 3020 and KEF Codas. This was the start of my hifi journey! Pink Floyd on the NAD/KEF/Rotel....... never looked back!

Brilliant love these chats we need more you know your stuff

I had the QED A230s in the 1980’s when I stared getting into Hi-Fi, which I loved along with a Dual CS505-4 turntable and so many different speakers. Wharfedale 506, 507.2, Mordaunt Short MS25 etc, then getting into CD’s Trio DP1000, Marantz CD63SE, Pioneer A400 amplifier, Arcam Alpha 6 plus. Those were the day’s going down to my local hi-fi shop frequently which still exists and looking what next to buy to upgrade. Great video for bringing back those day’s.

Thanks for this walk down memory lane. My first hi fi included a Kenwood receiver and Altec speakers and a Sony turntable. I was 18 at the time and loved this stereo. But then I heard a Rega 3 turntable with A&R A60 and Heybrook Speakers. I caught the upgrade bug after that. In terms of amps I’ve used the NAD 3020, Audiolab 8000A, the QED amp ( a real gem), Arcam Alpha. I lost myself in AV receivers for a while then moved on to separates - a Cambridge Audio c-500 pre and Antique Soundlabs Wave 8 monoblock Amps (really nice sounding Chinese made tube amp). I now use the Audiolab 6000 A in a dedicated listening room and Cambridge A85 and Fossi Audio V3 in other rooms. The Fossi is a really good amp for under $100. Thanks again for your nostalgic review. Enjoyed it.

Excellent historical hifi tour! I bought the best integrated amp Marantz ever built - the PM11S2 - when it was running out at 50% off and still enjoy it to this day.

I had a Creek CAS4040 with the wooden case and 3 pin din connectors. Gave the speakers a proper thump when you powered it up. My first proper slice of HiFi and 100% reliable for years. Happy memories 👍

Im a hugh fan of Glenn Crofts work and enjoying my micro25/series7 combo…not vintage in its means, but how they are made is a vintage kind of thing. Super simple, great sound (warm colored like the nad3020), great phono stage…i love them.

I had the Audiolab 8000S before they changed ownership to Tag McLaren. It had superb functionality with 4 different modes that the pre and power sections could be used. It had strong firm bass (coming from a NAD 302) and was built like a tank.

A few others from this era that come to mind. Alchemist Kraken, Inca Tech Claymore, Myst TMA3, Ion Systems Obelisk, Exposure, Meridian 101/105, NVA, Onix OA21, Croft, Mission Cyrus, Pioneer A400, Quantum Electronics IA100

I did smile at your Audiolab 8000A comment. Bright but rolled off at the same time. Spot on! You didn’t mention the Michell amps. Argo and Alecto mono blocks. Stunning sound and looks to die for. They’re the amps I regret selling.

great trip in a time machine Phil. I had a mission Cyrus and then a creek 4140 until about 20 years ago. I loved the creek. good memories, thanks.

I still have my Creek 4140 and use it in a second system. I remember listening to it at the Bristol Hi-Fi show and Mike Creek was there. I also own the Albarry AP11 preamp and the M608 mono power amps. Neil Burnett was behind Allbarry and returned in 2010 with the AP11 preamp, M608 & M1108 monoblocks. There was also a MCA11 battery-powered moving coil amplifier. Sadly Neil passed away in 2016. I love the AP11 & M608's.

Peter Tribeman who headed up NAD's US operation in the early days, once told me that only the original 3020, without the "A" had the crosstalk circuit that people liked. The 3020A and 3020B were later developments.

i still have a NAD3020 in regular use (recently recapped and serviced)!, great retro sound, not the most detailed or refined but very listenable and involving for many types of music, will drive big speakers.

Excellent video Phil. Magazine reviews were very persuasive back in the day as could retailers. I remember wanting to buy a Dual 505 turntable but came out with an ADC 1500.

That brought back many memories of bits of kit I almost bought, or lusted over, in my student days, and immediately after. I was lucky enough to get friendly with the team in Eulipion Audio in Manchester and they would let me loiter to listen to Krells, Audio Research, Mark Levinson, as well as Naim, Quad and others. One amp I rather hoped might be mentioned was the Axiom - I bought the Alchemist, which then meant I had to start down the route of external phono stages (ProJect PhonoBox, then the SE model, before the Rega Fono, and my current item - I still have them all, for some reason). After many years of Axiom use I got the NVA 'starter pack' (passive preamp and a stereo power amp), which has now expanded to add a pair of monoblocks for the bass units, the NVA headphone amp, and the NVA phono stage. I think this setup will see me out - the amps 'disappear'. . .

How could you miss the Myst TMA3 Phil? :) One of my personal favourites from 80's and I still own one to this day. Well designed and definitely substance over style!

I remember hearing a demo of the NAD 3020 and the Arcam Alpha and l preferred the Arcam. That was decades ago. I recently bought the NAD C316 BEE V2 but didn’t think it was an improvement over my Arcam Alpha2 which I’d upgraded to quite some years ago. So that NAD is back in its box. I think sometimes if you’re happy with what you’ve got then why bother looking for something better. Often leads to disappointment.

Lovely commentary thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I quick snippet for you. Lentek (I have no.18, still lovely I've had it since new) became Audiolab (to which you obviously referred earlier), Philip, his sister Lillian Swift and Derek Scotland all moved across together. They also produced a range of really quite decent speakers, S4's and S8's from memory. A couple of others that might tickle you that I rated were the Hitachi Dynaharmony 5300 (early MOSFET) and the Leak Delta 70, which still produces one of the sweetest musical (yes coloured) sounds of all the amps I remember.

Lovely video and I remeber them all; made me think of the Alchemist Kraken and Moth amplifiers (Curtis) as well

I always thought my Pioneer A400 was a real giant killer

Hi phill, great interesting video, I had the dual 505 mk2 with sure Ed 75 cartridges, Rotel rx1000l tuner amp kev Carina mi2 nagamichi cassette deck , those were the days . Regards mark

I’ve only ever owned 2 amps - a Leak Delta 30 (which I still have, albeit in desperate need of a full overhaul), and an Audiolab 8000A. I love the 8000A - it drives some lowly Rogers LS2As (which I’m hoping to swap to a pair of Rogers JR149s at some point), and, in my opinion at least, sounds great! Had it for 10yrs so far - and I don’t foresee ever changing it!

Great little cozy chat, classic example of how we all hear things differently and like different things. I was always impressed by the Alchemist amps and an honorable mention has to go out to another 3020, the Kenwood KA-3020, especially the SE version. In source direct mode this amp sounds way better than anything you would expect from cheap hi-fi. I was never impressed by Audio Research, owned a two box SP-10 preamp once and for me it just sucked the life out of the music. Sold it to a collector in Japan for profit.

Onix. Nva. Inca tech. Magnum. Ion. Croft. Misson. Arcam. A r Cambridge

A friend of mine has Audiolab monoblocks driving KEF Reference standmounts and it’s a remarkable combination.

I've got an 8000a from the '80s, recently refurbished. Very happy with it but I do think it depends on what speakers it's used with. Currently B&W DM220s and it sounds bad. With Kef KK3s and BBC LS35a sounds sublime. Just my opinion and that's all that matters to me, especially with my hearing aids!

Thanks Tomlin. All makes sense. Like you I'm a guitarist. One problem is splitting my practice time across both....but in terms of picking up theory, there is a lot of cross over, and the two together work well.

I loved the old Ion audio Obelisk, The Linx vega, Nait 1, Nad 3020, Musical fidelity A1, Rega brio. Later NAD's.. the 3225PE is a later gem that stands out. I think the torch is kept alive today by Vista audio with their Spark amp. And the Dayens Ampino. Im much looking forward to Holographic audios coming Int Seventeen

I recently acquired the Lab12 Pre1, running it into the Atoll IN100 SE bypass inputs. It is a very good combination, though it is not yet fully broken in. I agree that a valve pre coupled with a good solid state power amp is a good option, especially if one has speakers that take some muscle to drive. I think the Lab12 probably is the combination of very good, reliable and well priced.

Nice to go back in time ..my friends had many of those integrated amps you mentioned ....but I stumbled across a little cottage built amp called a Myst tma3 which was amazing good with a pink triangle and some tonnoy's

My favourite amp was the Pioneer SA-706. Owned that for over 10 years and it took the likes of Arcam Alpha 10 or the Quads to better it.

I think you are absolutely right about the holy grail being each drive unit having its own amp channel. I am setting up a 3-way active system. I find it sad that much of the industry is into super expensive components but many don’t bother with biamping or active setups. It shows they care more about money than SQ. Wilson Audio speakers for eg. are super expensive with only 1 set of binding posts. Crazy. Guys on YT are using £50k power amps with them but no biamping. It’s like souping up a car but sticking to 8v instead of 16.

I have Avondale audio pre and power amps , over 15 years old and running sweet. My computer system has a Yamaha receiver from 1986 , still sounding fine 🙂

Completely agree about the jewelry aspect of so-called High End Stuff

I had a 4040. Partnered a Rega 3. Loved it. Bought a 4140 10 years ago on ebay. Still have it on a cheaper second system.

John Shearne did some good stuff, I still have the phase 6 pre & 2xphase 3 power - sounds great

Phil......had the Rose RV23S pre and Lentek phono step-up. Wish I still had them. Love the Sheffield Drum Kit with Keltner and Tutt especially through my BIG Leak 2075's (1973 ?). W O W, frightening and the 15 inch bass units don't move at all even at massive LIVE volume. Too many modern speakers sound extremely meek, mild and weedy and only do treble (often OTT bright which passes as detail) and midrange with very little proper, punchy, big bass. Like your cosy presentations, very friendly and non snooty.

About vintage amps and gear, it's a early 90s van Medevoort MA220 integrated amp in a pair of Magnepan smgc's in my living room, a Yamaha TT 500 direct drive (eeek) turn table with a discrete NAD phono pre amp and a Marantz cd player which to this day get used by me. It all sounds as good now as it did nearly 30 years ago. the speakers are attenuated nicely to the room and I use good cables of course. Ever heard of van Medevoort? ( they are a brand here in Holland)

I love my 1987 Audio Research sp9 PRE AMP and Mark Levinson ML9 AMP 1989 which is still my main set up. Qed genesis is one of the best speaker cables going.

Yeap, I started will a Dual turntable with NAD 3020 and Heybrook HB1's, great little system loved it back in the late 80's. Updated Dual to a Logic Tempo Datum, which bettered the Dual on everything.

DNM was very cleverly-designed high-resolution equipment, including the plastic casework to cut down on stray electromagnetic fields, solid-core signal cable, star earthing and huge power supplies. I think Denis Morecroft passed some years ago, but DNM Design is still improving his classic designs. I wish I had bought DNM amps from Graham’s Hifi in the late 70s, but they were fearfully expensive.

My old Pass Adelph 3 and Adelph L Pre are a nice combo and are reliable... Had them over 10 years.

Crimson Elektrik was the bainchild of a lesser known genius by the name of Brian Powell. Based in Leicester from the 1970's. Originally the amps and pre amps were available in kit form or fully built. Even back then they were pricey, into the thousands in today's money. But boy were they worth it!!! I know all this because I have one, acquired in late 1970's maybe early 80's. Pre and power amp, hard wired, not modular. Recently fully refurbed by Brian and it sounds better now than when new with the addition of better caps and other components. A little over 40 years old and still sounds amazing. Buy the best and you buy it once.

The Oni x OA 21 with SOAP PSU via Allison CD6s remains reliable to this day due to the build being akin to a nuclear trigger an wonderfully natural presentation. I also have a pair of Albarry M408s and Accuphase E212 on rotation when I fancy a change of soundstage presentation.

Accidental Creek 4240 amp owner here. I can tell that it’s something special. My previous 2 or 3 amps sounded thin and edgy on top.

My first amp was my dads old technics suv3 and that was a superb amp when i got into hifi separates when i was 13 in 2001

The original Mission/ Cyrus 1 / PSX , brilliant amp

Phil I have Crimson pre & power kit amps from the early 80s. Used up until lately needs recap. The sound quality is still very good it even surprised my local dealer how good it sounded with a innuos streamer.

Thanks, I was extremely confused about the spacer issue. Now I’m just gonna move on with the AT cart.

I think my favorite integrated amp of all times is the Sonneteer Campion. (wish I held on to it!) Unfortunately Sonneteer stopped making the Campion around 2013/2014. It was/is a timeless beauty, build like a tank, and offered a clear, transparent sound that was unheard at that price.

Still use my Nytech CA 252 in my 'second system' with the original Mission 700s and a somewhat 'modern' Rotel RCD-965BX CD player. Sounds fab in a little room

Interesting to hear Audiolab 8000A being a disappointment and people buying on reviews - shows the power of good reviews. If you cover the 90s more, I think Myryad deserve a mention. Their amps sell secondhand on ebay for not much less sometimes than they originally sold for. My MF A308CRs are superb. Still got my Myryads from the 90s in my 2nd system.

Mastersound tube amp to a CA cxa81, definitely not a backward step in any way!

Believe it or not have just bought a CA azur 640v2 for a family member and it's surprisingly good. Just hooked it up to my old Kef ref 1-2s, which are 4 ohm and it's driving them quite convincingly. I've owned Farlowe Exposure (lovely), Unison Research, Cayin and others Cheers all

I still have nad naim luxman pioneer Sony rega B&W celestion thorens pro ject chord love them all

I’d love you to review the Norma Audio 140 amplifier. Smallish Italian company. Dual mono design , superb natural sound, great build but it’s more sound over style which I prefer anyway.

I'm curious why you've never mentioned Quad amplification and would love to know your experience of them.

I'm wondering about a Pro- ject phono box. Mainly apart from a phono amp I want to isolate turntable from amplifier's. Amps have different hum issues. The turntable is a Garrard Zero 100 with a Shure pickup from about 1965. With Nad amp if grounded hums. Denon hums without ground. So instead of messing with ground wires I was thinking of a Phono box at or inside the turntable.

First real audiophile amp I bought was Musical Fidelity A1 had for 8 years then changed to MF pre 3a and MA50 monoblocks which I still use today 20+ years on have tried newer amps but always go back to the MF's

The Michelle ISO was a fantastic phono stage...

Remember the Pioneer A400? I still run a 30 year old Audio Innovations S500. Still sounds great.

EBay has a Crimson Elektric pre- power amp listed at moment

I’ve a qed dac it’s not bad

Electrocampaniet for the money!! Not sure if you mentioned them in your review.

Arcam A60 👍😎

my first amp was a Marantz ?PM44?

...and the MF A1 is back...

I’ve gone from Akai to a Cyrus 1 to Naim 5 and now Musical Fidelity, it’s taken 35 years and now it’s over 👍

Please do a part two, Myst, Onix, Exposure, INCA tech etc....Your thoughts

What about threshold power amps? I love my Threshold FET Ten/HL preamp. I’ve been using it with the original Adcom GFA 555. I just replaced it with a Simaudio W5.3SE, after 35 years without fail Phase Linear??

Audio Space AS-i3 integrated tube amp 14 Rms , just great, KT-77 power tube

OMG Phil, fuses followed by old amplifiers, let's discuss religion next. Enjoying the channel.

I had a3010 I think no phono stage still got it in the. Attic might bring it down and put it with a rega or something else plan for the future

Totally agree 8000A was a dire amp, hated them!

Bean counters compromise brands.

In terms of companies ran by enthusiasts and responsive to their customers you can look to the Far East and the USA these days. Companies like Denafrips, Jay's Audio, Kinki Studio, Fosi Audio, Allnic Audio in China and Korea. In the states, Schiit, Geshelli labs and Decware come to mind. The only really innovative smallish companies I can think of in the UK are IfI and maybe Fyne Audio.

You forgot the Marantz PM - 94 😮😊😂

Do you think the p1 will sound OK with a nad 3020 I also use wharfedale vintage lintons

What happened to the Croft amplifiers ? I have the integrated amp but would like a little more power. I would like to try the separate amp & pre-amp but I can’t find them anywhere.

I love your channel, your not some arrogant KZfaqr like Darko, when I buy kit from audio t or Sevenoaks I’ll definitely be mentioning your name, maybe update your website for gear your allowed to sell online ❤

Quad?

I think the Lentek became Audiolab ? Maybe

I had a nytech demo against a nad and it was miles better then moved to a naim 42 110 and hated it lost the system synergy completely and have never been happy since still listening to systems and scratching my head

Hi, I watched your video about "nice enough to eat" album, my experience of it was a mirror image of my own, I lent it to someone a long time ago regrettably, do you know if it's possible to get it on CD?

You should start selling he sells direct classic audio Mike fidler, phono stages. really cheap can compete with any high expensive phones stages, young English company basic model 150£ Spartan 5, and the top range MC Pro 650£ very high accuracy. Also another brand that's just come on to the market now and that's the blackbird tonearm by Supatrac very nice guy, I'd say can compete with any 30-40,000+ arm, just over £2, 000. A horizontal unipivot but done in the correct way very sensitive spacious sounding arm with good bass authority definitely should start selling them, I believe he's looking for dealers what I gather speaking to him.

Have you listened to NVA?

For 8000A read 8000Grey. I eagerly awaited my first demo of this amp, only to feel deeply let down within seconds. The 8000S, years later was miles better, thankfully. IMO. I was tied between the 8000S and an Exposure XVSuper for my first proper amplifier at Brady's.

most HiFi guys like a coloured sound. They don't want a truly clean , accurate , neutral sound. Punter: "Oh, I don't like that - it sounds too bland and too bright . I want one that does this, and sounds like this and makes my Dire Straits sound better." Dealer: "Well, I haven't got one of those mate, but I've got one of these. It does that, and sounds like that and makes your Pink Floyd sound better.Will that do ya ?"

Deltec/DPA ? B&W Aura

When great hifi components are made, other brands should learn what they got right and if possible copy or wait for patent expiry. In theory hifi should keep getting better on this basis, as long as manufacturers care about SQ and not just money.

My best amps from 80’s to 2000: Sansui and should never have sold it. NAD had a couple and not reliable. Rotel….very bland. Mission Cyrus one …loved the looks and convinced myself that it sounded good but it didn’t.

To me…the most components are developed with measurements in mind nowadays … not for the little magic/good sound.

LFD?

Boring