Counterpoint amp and pre?

avguytx
avguytx Posts: 1,628
edited December 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
So...does anyone in here have any older Counterpoint equipment that they are still using? Maybe something that hasn't had the Alto Vista upgrades? I just wanted an opinion on what you thought of them. They made some really cool Hybrid stuff although, I have heard of their reliability issues in the past.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
Post edited by avguytx on

Comments

  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited December 2006
    I ran SA-100 power amps for decades. They're solid performers. Mike (at Alta Vista) has done an honest job of detailing any problems with the Counterpoint line on his web site. I lost a transformer in one of my SA-100's (after approx 20,000 hours of always on) and had the Plitron installed by Mike. The tube/mosfet hybrid amps used matched pairs of mosfets in the output stage--which are hard to come by if replacement is needed. What Counterpoint gear are you looking at?
  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited December 2006
    I'm using one of Mike (blueMD) other SA-100's and have had no issues with it. I f I was keeping only on amp in my house, it would be the one I kept. Most of a tubes warmth with SS power. Very good performer.
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited December 2006
    I have an SA12 (if I recall correctly) and it sounds good to me; however, it does have a hum that can be heard at low levels. I have considered upgrading it on many occasions but have never pulled the trigger. It is currently stored away and may get dusted off this year... but who knows at this point.

    Merry Christmas All!

    Henry
    ***WAREMTAE***
  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited December 2006
    I ran SA-100 power amps for decades. They're solid performers. Mike (at Alta Vista) has done an honest job of detailing any problems with the Counterpoint line on his web site. I lost a transformer in one of my SA-100's (after approx 20,000 hours of always on) and had the Plitron installed by Mike. The tube/mosfet hybrid amps used matched pairs of mosfets in the output stage--which are hard to come by if replacement is needed. What Counterpoint gear are you looking at?

    I have the SA-2000 preamp and the SA-20 amplifier. It's sad that I haven't gotten around to hooking them up yet...holidays and all. I am eager to hear them since they do work.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited December 2006
    HBombToo wrote:
    I have an SA12 (if I recall correctly) and it sounds good to me; however, it does have a hum that can be heard at low levels.
    Hi Henry! Think about giving Mike @ Alta Vista a call. It would probably run around $150, plus shipping, to have him throw it on the bench and diagnose the issue. The original matched mosfet pairs are no longer in production, but he saves the ones taken from units he's upgraded and (I believe) offers them to those who don't want to go the upgrade path.
  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited December 2006
    jdhdiggs wrote:
    If I was keeping only one amp in my house, it would be the one I kept.
    Glad you're still digging it. Yours was NOS from a HiFi dealer in Georgia. Probably had less than 200 hours on it when you got it. I sold the other one to a guy in NJ. He emailed me when he'd had his ears on it for about two weeks and said "why did you ever sell this amp? It's the best sounding amp I've had in my system in 25 years." They are very solid and sonically pleasing amps for sure.