Advice re the use of OTL amps vs others


In my recent transition from solid state to vacuum tube amplification I'm learning a little about the various types of circuitry designs available. I'm currently using the Cary Rocket 88R amp mostly in Triode mode, and Peachtree Audio Nova as a preamp. The warmth I gained is extremely satisfying but I'm not sure if this is attributable specifically to the Rocket or simply as a result of transitioning to this setup vs solid state Peachtree to Martin Logan ESL's.

I'm impressed with what I hear about the Atmasphere amps and would like to consider them but have some concerns. What I've read is that the OTL amplifiers supposedly present the best of both worlds between a solid state and valve amp sound. In one way of thinking, using the Peachtree pre and the Rocket amp, I have somewhat the same thing now. I know it's not that simple but that's why this thread. I'm not concerned about overall sound quality with the right OTL but am that I might loose some of the warmth or "roundness?" I've found with the Cary.

Therein lies the question. I have no way that I know of to locally (33064) audition the Atmasphere S30 which is the one I'm leaning toward based on my research so far. The speakers which I'm now using and intend to keep are the original Reference 3A MMC Serie having an efficiency rating of approx 85dB and 8 ohms impedance.
broadstone

Showing 3 responses by unsound

Bifwynne, yes.
Csontos, More accurate than many, if not most, but not perfect. LOL!
Answer; all that proceeded and followed the speakers.
Al, I disagree with the 2nd sentence to the last paragraph:
..."It is a great disfunction {sic} to music loving audiophiles for speaker manufacturers to be making 4 Ohm speakers with 3 or 2 Ohm impedance dips, and then expect amplifiers and speaker cables to be able to transfer music into a load approaching a dead short."...
Some of the popular and most accurate audiophile loudspeakers ever made have such impedance plots, and many, many amplifiers and most speaker cables work quite well with them.
^IMHO, this is an example of what accurate is (at least by current standards):
http://www.stereophile.com/content/dunlavy-audio-labs-signature-sc-vi-loudspeaker-specifications
http://www.stereophile.com/content/dunlavy-audio-labs-signature-sc-vi-loudspeaker-measurements
http://www.stereophile.com/content/dunlavy-audio-labs-signature-sc-vi-loudspeaker-measurements-part-2

One could also take the other view; that choosing some particular amplifiers disqualifies some speaker choices. I am of the opinion that it is better to choose amplification for speakers rather than speakers for amplification.