Atma-Sphere Class D… Amazing

The Class D monos arrived yesterday and are hooked up and have played for nearly 9 hours. System information:

Auralic Aries G1.1 streamer > Bela Canto Dac2.8 AES/EBU input > A-S Class Ds. via XLR input. Interconnects are DH labs (DH-110 and Air Matrix Cryo). Speaker cables Kimber 12TC. Speakers are Totem Forest Signature.

Simply put, this is the best amplifier I have ever had in my system - the only two that come even close are the Pass XA30.8 and the Benchmark AHB2. There is a wholeness that makes it seem trite to analyze the sound spectrally in terms of highs, mids and lows. To use an imperfect analogy, some writers’ prose is so "perfect", that you get a sense that their writing is inevitable and that any change to it can only be for the worse. I am no literary critic, but I recognize it when I see it (Ian McEwan comes to mind, sometimes Paul Auster, always P.G. Wodehouse). To my ears, these amps have a sense of rightness, a wholeness that transcends anything I have ever heard.

Truly, a more fitting name for a brand could not be devised - I’m sure many of you know that the name is a play on the Sanskrit word for soul - Atman or Atma. If these don’t get to the soul of music, I don’t know what else does.

@atmasphere, I only regret that it took me decades to finally stumble into your work - well, I am here and here I intend to stay. This is inspired work on the part of you and your team.

Has anybody had the experience with the Atma-Sphere MP3 preamp- going from manual volume control to remote volume control? I want to know what kind of difference in sound quality. I've already tube rolled it and it sounds great. Upgraded power cable definitely made a nice improvement as well. A SR purple fuse made a nice difference as well. Mine already has the v-cap package. Looking to squeeze all I can out of this preamp. I have the remote now, but considering downgrading to the manual volume if there is a lot to gain in terms of sound quality.

Special Ganfets? The Audion version one was good.....then he updated the circuit for a MKII......then again for a MKIII and now the best sound belongs to the new mono Duets (more money too).....apparently upgraded the input op amps as well.....all using the same GaNfet........So, what really makes a difference? Everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GaNs seem to make the most sense but since every single thing you do matters....its the result that counts. Bruno has stayed with Mosfets (claims they are "fast enough"). He has just released a new "second generation Eigentakt" Purifi circuit module (model 900) that does over 300 watts into 8 ohms and over 900 watts into 2 ohms. Suppose to sound better than the last two models (400 and 700) he made. Specs are off the charts. How would a modded dual mono version of the VTV amp using these stack up against the latest more expensive GaN amps? We shall find out soon as I am getting one of the VTV dual mono amps in and will do my magic mods to it and do some comparisons......Should be fun. However, enjoy what you have right now.....this is the only moment that matters.....there will always be something better down the road......and hopefully cheaper. (Hey, some of us cannot afford a $6K amp......my whole stereo is $6K!)......Of course, I make some stuff by hand (speakers and cables and cable risers and tweaks)....and mod cheap stuff (DAC, transport and amp) to make super sound.

@veerossi,

I bought my MP-3 used with the stepped attenuator and sent it back to Ralph to have the remote installed. While obviously I couldn't A-B them, I didn't notice any change in sonics. Ralph will tell you that the stepped attenuator is superior and I don't doubt it, but for me in my system I couldn't tell the difference and the convenience of having a remote in an already great preamp makes it worth it.

I have the remote now, but considering downgrading to the manual volume if there is a lot to gain in terms of sound quality.

@veerossi @armstrod If there's a difference its pretty slight. I've not noticed it.