Nice, yeah, the ARTs did alright in stereo mode, 4 ohms, Didn't push them much. Was just getting into amp displays, seem to fit the part. I tried a few of the other PPIs, and soured on them as they tended to get REALLY hot - like fry an egg on them hot! That little wonder was a trip in its day for sure. Have to say, the old-school RFs were pretty indestructible as were the Van Goghs. The Van Goghs were my all-around favorite amplifiers. Beautiful PC boards, Mills audio grade resistors throughout, triple Darlington designs, S/n rations off the charts (like 114db) 1/4 thick polished billet aluminum cases, handmade in the US, they are really amazing amps. The Adcom amps were probably the best all-around sounding amps, a toss-up between them and the SS Class A. I just wish I could have powered them more effectively, they were very thirsty amplifiers. Liked the sound of the A/D/S but they required a master's degree to configure! I grew up in San Diego, we owned 5 bike shops and sponsored some of the riders who were also sponsored by "Dow Sound Stereo" and "Pacific Stereo" I got to know some of the audio crowd, meeting them at bike meets/rallies and official rides like the Tecate-Ensenada run, the 'Ride across America gig, and would often get demo stereo gear for next to nothing when bartering for hi-end bike gear from Campagnolo and Shimano Dura-ace stuff that nobody had yet. , I traded a very nice road racer bike for the SS HR's, never could have purchased them outright. The linear power stuff has a special place in my heart, it was the first real powerful high-end gear I got in 83-84, super clean, great products.
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