Anyone familiar with Air Tight ATM-1S?

I've previously owned the ATM1, not the -S.  It was a lovely sounding amp when paired with speakers that didn't need a ton of power. Build quality and parts(transformers especially) were top notch. 
EL34s in general are one of your more balanced options for power tubes, performing pretty well in most regards. Oversimplifying, it's commonly held that they're strong at bass and driving rhythm...a real rock 'n roll tube. 300Bs are all about midrange magic...maybe the best in this regard, but vs. many other types, are a tad rolled off on top and bottom. Goosebumps with small band acoustic jazz/folk etc. There's always trade-offs! 
FWIW, I moved off my Air Tight because I wanted a balanced design and a pet peeve of separate left and right volume controls vs. volume & balance. Some don't care, but I found it a nuisance setting equal volume for both channels. Cheers,
Spencer

Art Dudley did a nice review back in 2014.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/air-tight-atm-1s-power-amplifier

Thanks for the review @three_easy_payments. Will def check out.

@spencer - thx for feedback on the el34 tube style. I’m a rock n roll guy at heart so that goes a long way for me. Very tempting. 

The 300B Elekit is a Japanese designed kit with Lundahl transformers and Mundorf & Duelund caps so it’s quite nice. Like you said, on acoustic and jazz it can be spooky good on a solid recording.


My speakers are 98dB sensitivity so the 36w from the ATM-1S would probably go a long way. I also have a Pass XA-25 that I really enjoy. I’ve kept it around and plug it in when I want more speed and slam than the 300B’s.

@yomaha Yes, I agree that the ATM-1S would be plenty powerful w/98db speakers. I recall carrying it into a dealer to demo speakers bigger and lower sensitivity than my own and it outperformed a 75 or 100w amp they used as their normal demo pairing.
I'd guess the ATM1-S would sort of split the middle between what you get from the Elekit and the Pass(my fav SS amps in general). Cheers,
Spencer

I have LOTs of experience with AirTight el34 based amps.  They are outrageously good.

my favorite is the ATM-3 mono blocs.  

but the 1s is nice.  Just not the ATM-3 performance.  NOTE: I am thinking about the prior version of the ATM 3's.  not the newer vertically oriented very expensive ones.  The older version are basically bomb proof and can be had for a very reasonable price on the used market... a few pairs come up every year.  But you have to be patient. 

if you want to know more, send me a private message.

NOTE: they respond well to tube rolling.. especially vintage NOS Mullards or Telefunkens.  Tube life is quite good.  And easy to bias.

@sailboat em sent

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