Atma-Sphere Class D… Amazing

Hi Ralph,

Would you mind reiterating your past comment of how Class D (yours and perhaps others) have finally made the leap to outperform tubes (yours and others)?
thx

I have been anxiously awaiting Ralph’s Class D.

Am a big A-S fan and joyfully use his MP-1 preamp.

Since “going home” to Quad ESL 57s, I have cycled through several amps to find the best match for the Quads.

I have the chance to put money down to get on the waiting list (6-8 weeks) for the A-S Class D. May still do that, but have bought an ARC Ref 80S.

I was floored by the sound of the ARC Ref 160S at a friend’s. The best system I have heard. Was so engaging that I couldn’t not listen.

So far, I have decided that the ARC Ref sound may have attractive “tube qualities” that Ralph’s do not. That is, a level of organic/real. 
And even though price does not represent quality, the $16K Ref 80S should be in a different league from the $5400 A-S. 
This is only a guess. Not yet hearing the A-S amps. But still thinking that those tube qualities are yet to be captured by a SS amp. 
As a previous die hard SET guy, that sound is called sweet. To non tube guys, it is called colored.

Finally got mine a week ago.

Wow, they are detailed, transparent, musical with tremendous bass.

About the best I have ever heard.

Don't see why anyone would not love them!

AGD Audions are lovely.

Atma Ds are more detailed and transparent.

But some may prefer the AGDs

@lula 

Yes, I would say the main difference between the AGDs and the Atmas is that the AGDs do have more bloom tube-like sound. 

IME, the Atma Ds are far superior to the AGD Audions (MK II).

And a bargain. What is also super impressive and one of a kind is that Ralph actually recommends his Ds over his much more expensive and highly thought of tube amps. And tubes are a hassle and a problem in the Summer. His Ds have much better bass, sound at least as good as his big tube amps and are bullet proof.