Counterpoint amp and pre?

[avguytx]

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!

[BlueMDPicker]

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]

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.

[HBombToo]

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

[avguytx]

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.

[BlueMDPicker]

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]

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.