Most Respected Amplifier Designers

[Dimfer]

I might be biased because he is a friend..
Rod Teope... small time, old school, no direct access to internet to do research, very limited resources... but make beautiful sounding tube amps and pre amps.
his magic sauce is his transformers, which he winds according to the specific needs of any particular tube...

he is a legend among audiophiles in a budget in Manila... if you don’t care about the brand name of the amps in your audio room but you like good sound, he is a good option. I currently own his 6c33c-b OTL (120wpc) and GM70 PSET (60 wpc).

 

[Isotonic]

How about Charlie Hanson of Ayre?

 

[strapper211]

Vladimir Lamm
Come On

Robert

 

[DeYoung]

Frank McIntosh and Sidney Corderman

 

[AudioHR]

From my perspective:

J.C Verdier, some say best designs for 845 and 300B tubes.
Ken Shindo, unique musicality.
Jean Hiraga.

They all have built great amplifiers in 90's.

Mainly supporting your reference to Ken Shindo. I like the unique musicality qualifier.

Maybe not an innovator as far as design such as a David Berning but someone who respected the importance of circuitry and the synergy of superior sounding parts and tubes!

 

[rockhopper]

How about Graham Tricker of TRON.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Kosaku Kikuchi-Sansui
Whether tube or solid-state amps, fully restored models still sound like top league beautiful tone. Sounds right for me

 

[Audiohertz2]

Kosaku Kikuchi-Sansui
Whether tube or solid-state amps, fully restored models still sound like top league beautiful tone. Sounds right for me

Could you elaborate , Sansui ..?

 

[rob]

Tim de Paravicini, Sydney Corderman, Bruno Putzey, John Curl and even Alan Wright off the top of my head.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Could you elaborate , Sansui ..?

It should be known that, for example, the Sansui AU 111 is one of the best integrated amplifiers you can buy. To get better, you'd have to buy from Kondo, Vacuumstate, or Silvaweld.

Or a Sansui alpha 907 for exsample
Elna make a special series cappacitors for sansui with 10times lower esr.
If you find one used buy it , but theycost a leg or arm worth every penny.

The build quality is outstanding

 

[Lagonda]

It should be known that, for example, the Sansui AU 111 is one of the best integrated amplifiers you can buy. To get better, you'd have to buy from Kondo, Vacuumstate, or Silvaweld.

Or a Sansui alpha 907 for exsample
Elna make a special series cappacitors for sansui with 10times lower esr.
If you find one used buy it , but theycost a leg or arm worth every penny.View attachment 152232

The build quality is outstandingView attachment 152233

Stephan you are to WBF what Microstrip should have been, you have both theoretical and practical knowledge, there are always so many nuggets in your posts. Keep up the good work.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Stephan you are to WBF what Microstrip should have been, you have both theoretical and practical knowledge, there are always so many nuggets in your posts. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Milan.
I'm no longer up to date with today's super-expensive stuff. I guess I'm out of place here. That's why I'm always on the lookout for gems in the hi-fi cosmos that are affordable and sound good. So I think: Buy good old stuff, bring it technically up to date, and then just smile about today's really expensive stuff. The wheel isn't being reinvented.
One more thing about Sansui: who builds today haptic volume buttons that are as heavy as discus or device feet made of pure copper.
It is a real pleasure to operate such a device with your hands.

 

[Lagonda]

Thanks Milan.
I'm no longer up to date with today's super-expensive stuff. I guess I'm out of place here. That's why I'm always on the lookout for gems in the hi-fi cosmos that are affordable and sound good. So I think: Buy good old stuff, bring it technically up to date, and then just smile about today's really expensive stuff. The wheel isn't being reinvented.
One more thing about Sansui: who builds today haptic volume buttons that are as heavy as discus or device feet made of pure copper.
It is a real pleasure to operate such a device with your hands.
View attachment 152244

Yes my old Primare 928 preamp sounds better than almost everything else i have tried, and the volume dial feels like a old Swiss bank vault tumbler . Klick, klick klick engaging each set of high quality resistors. A tactile pleasure !

 

[DasguteOhr]

Yes my old Primare 928 preamp sounds better than almost everything else i have tried, and the volume dial feels like a old Swiss bank vault tumbler View attachment 152252. Klick, klick klick engaging each set of high quality resistors. A tactile pleasure !

I always thought Primare's logo, with its (MOSFET symbol+ LED), was very nice. I've seen the 900 series several times and wanted to buy it. Something always got in the way. Love that design.