I have the "BB" version of this amplifier, with balanced outputs. The BB version has two torroidal transformers instead of one, and double the capacitance. I've had it since new, and it's one of my prized possessions. Aragon products were made in upstate New York. The amplifier version reviewed in this video is called the "8008 ST," versus the "8008 BB." Aragon was acquired by a new owner a few years ago, and their version of the 8008, which I believe has the same specs as the "8008 ST" costs about 10 grand. They may have rebranded models from "8008" at this point. Great review, nice to see this amplifier still appreciated. I don't think another amplifier is necessary, as the 8008 will power any speaker without breaking a sweat.
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for the informative comments. I saw that there is a new version, but did not realize it was so expensive. One of my friends is borrowing it and does not want to give it back to the owner (another friend)....
@AmazingChinaToday4 ай бұрын
@@vintageaudioreview I can understand why he doesn't want to part with it! 🤣 I moved residences several times over the years, and always bring the 8008 in my car, on its own, and hand deliver it myself. I really love it!
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
@@AmazingChinaToday It will be interesting to see what happens...
@richardhernandez77415 ай бұрын
BOUGHT IN 95, it has deiven a pair of ML SL3 most convincingly every day since purchase.
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to comment and I am glad (and not surprised) that the 8008 has worked out great for you.
@ragnarhairybreeks4 ай бұрын
I appreciate the depth of analysis and your presentation . Thanks for making the vids. I’m not an “audiophile” but many of the units you’ve reviewed were dream items of mine back in the day. Still can’t afford them now, ha! Cheers!
@vintageaudioreview3 ай бұрын
Sorry, but I am just now seeing your comment. THanks for taking the time to comment and just pick one piece of gear that you wanted and find it and purchase it while you can still enjoy it.
@SuperMcgenius5 ай бұрын
I remember those amps, clean, and punchy bass, not harsh.
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
Thanks for the comments. It is a very nice amp in many ways!
@AmazingChinaToday4 ай бұрын
Imagine finding one of the best power amplifiers ever made forgotten in some closet. 😄
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
You would have to know my friend to realize that this is not the 1st time something like that has happened 😄
@kobush185 ай бұрын
Nice review 👍💯👍
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!
@gerry731555 ай бұрын
😎 Wow who knew... your opening screen with the Custom newspaper ad grabbed my attention hard! I worked for them in Denver in '78 and '79. Glad to find your channel and thanks for the great reviews too!
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for the comment- you are the 1st to mention the Custom Hifi ad! I did not know they were in Denver, just Phoenix and Tucson. Bet you have some stories to tell about your experience working there....
@scottbennett31195 ай бұрын
Cool amplifier! I am sure i saw the ads in Stereo Review, but I don't clearly remember it. Seems like a fine amp! Thanks for reviewing this.
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
Thanks for the Thanks! They were definitely advertised in Stereo Review and or Audio back in the day- it was a cool ad.
@robertyoung17774 ай бұрын
Off topic but: Could you create at show and tell about PHASE? I am a longtime audio enthusiast. Lately I keep hearing people talk about phase. I have always understood that it simply meant keeping the red and black speaker wires attached to their corresponding red and black connectors. Can you provide more detail if it is relevant? Thank you.
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
I have started measuring the phase, and risetime of amplifiers, and phase of preamps. You will see a phase measurement (or mention of it) on the video coming out Sunday. Thanks!
@jeremywhittler8591Ай бұрын
I had never heard of Aragon , and found a mint one without a scratch. Im thinking about getting an Audio Research tube pre and powering some magnepan LSR. I have the dual transformer model. Ive heard the LSR+ are hard to drive and wonder if i should have a tech go through the amp?
@vintageaudioreviewАй бұрын
Have not heard the LSR but in general, I don't mind listening to planar speakers for a while, but they just don't have the bass I like though they may do other things nicely. I would assume the Aragon would have enough umph to drive them if it is the one reviewed here. I would not have someone go thru the amp and just replace things. I would have them hook it up to a 4ohm load and test it to see how it performs against its specs and go from there. Thanks for watching!
@arifhussain4234 ай бұрын
Nice review TY. Weren't these dubbed as the poor man's Krells? I think Dagostino designed the older version of this, the 4004. It was a tru dual mono with two Toroidal transformers.
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to comment. These things were still pretty expensive, at least in my mind, but certainly not as much as equivalent output power Krells. I think you may be correct about the 4004...
@chrisblock66975 ай бұрын
Not familiar with that amp, but enjoy discovering about unfamiliar brands and you look like you are having fun. Any logic behind what car you put on the equipment at the end?
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
Wow, somebody finally asked about the cars!!!! Indeed, there is a logic to the cars. I have to admit that I got the idea from ASR, where Amir uses a Pink Panther in various positions and gear and maybe without a head to give you an idea about what he thinks of the product. I inherited a bunch of diecast car models and decided I would put a car on top of the gear at the end of the review to indicate what I thought of the item in a nutshell. I am a "Corvette guy", so either the '57 (red/white) or '69 (silver) Corvette is the highest rating, except if both Corvettes are there which is the highest "honor". The yellow VW bug is the lowest rating, but the light blue VW bug convertible would indicate it was ok. The Black Marland Oil truck just means that it is old and sorta what you would expect. The Tbirds would indicate that the gear was pretty good, but not at the Corvette level.... As for fun, overall it is a great hobby to have during retirement, and I am learning still and helping folks out in different ways. It takes a lot of time to test and put together a video, and it must be a labor of love as I really don't make much from youtube now that I am monetized- maybe $40-50 month if I am lucky, so it is not about the money, but it is a nice surprise when you get notified that you will receive a payment from them.
@chrisblock66975 ай бұрын
@@vintageaudioreview Thanks for the explanation about the cars! I’ve been meaning to ask about that for a while.
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
@@chrisblock6697 My buddy Ian, whom has given me quite a bit of gear to review, has not asked me either and I even gave him a hint...
@chrisblock66975 ай бұрын
@@vintageaudioreview 😯
@TheBerdaguer4 ай бұрын
Requesting a Hafler XL-280 review
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
I do have a Hafler 500 review that will be in a few months, as well as a Hafler preamp, but don't have the XL-280.
@TheBerdaguer4 ай бұрын
@@vintageaudioreview that will do, Hafler very good gear Hafler mosfet vs Soundcraftsmen mosfet
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
@@TheBerdaguer I also have the heavily modified Hafler 500 that I will test and review in the future as well. Keep in mind that these belong to my friends most of the time. If you go back through my videos, I have done two Soundcraftsmen amps.
@TheBerdaguer4 ай бұрын
@@vintageaudioreview I saw those videos I wonder which one is better Hafler or Soundcraftsmen
@vintageaudioreview4 ай бұрын
@@TheBerdaguer As far as the sound between them, not much of a difference. THe RA7501 does not have a fan, while the PCR800 and Hafler do, so my vote would be for the RA7501, which can work as a nice monoblock amp as well.
@post_historicАй бұрын
DQ-10s in the background?!
@vintageaudioreviewАй бұрын
Thanks so much more the question, but those are 27" computer monitors for my workbench PC. I have never owned any Dalquist speakers.
@akhtarizod58025 ай бұрын
You comparing specs of 8008BB, this one is not BB version,
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
I am not sure that the main specs would be that much different as I think the difference was the BB had balanced inputs. I am usually pretty good about trying to get the correct specs, but I may have missed on this one. Thanks!
@akhtarizod58025 ай бұрын
You are correct BB has XLR , BB stand for big balls , it has two 1.1KVA transformers , 4 rectifiers , more than doubled the power supply capacitors , power supply is substantial.
@vintageaudioreview5 ай бұрын
@@akhtarizod5802 I did not know what the BB stood for, but I do now... The power and Thd specs I quoted I am pretty sure were correct for this model, though.
@jeremywhittler8591Ай бұрын
@akhtarizod5802 I have the twin transformer model and am exited to see what it can do with some megnepan LSR+
@stuartshannon8141Ай бұрын
@@jeremywhittler8591I have the BB powering the 1.5 QR Maggies. Great match.