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Atma-Sphere M60 monoblocks + ML ESL 11 = Inferior combo

Hi guys,

Today I borrowed home a pair of pure OTL-Tube M60 mononblocks to combine with my ML ESL 11s (which base are partially driven by a Class-D amplifer of 275 watts) with very poor results. Unfortunately, although the M60s where only to cater for the diaphragm panels (at least in theory), when combined with the speakers, the soundstage collapsed, vocals felt muffled and absent deep into the sound picture, almost hidden away, and the base went out of control (got larger and louder in a negative way). I also lost details. The Monos are a pair of brand new demos and shined this morning together with a pair of smaller Vivid monitors.

My current SS - a Bryston 4B3 delivers so much better combined with the ML ESL 11s. Someone that can explain what I did just experience? I thought that OTL tubes and High sensitive Martin Logans of todays generation where to be a marriage in heaven.

Kind regards 

 

  

andy_wonderwall

Showing 2 responses by gdnrbob

gdnrbob
4,489 posts
 

@andy_wonderwall -

' I am lucky to have a dealer that are willing to borrow me MBL N15s monoblocks so that I can compare different technologies on the MLs'.

 

The MBL's should be able to drive just about anything, but if I were to get them, I would just get a pair of Radialstrahler's.

Bob

 

gdnrbob
4,489 posts
 

I wonder why you didn't call Ralph (atmasphere) and discuss this with him? He often answers the phone.

He is very open and provides honest information with regard to his equipment.

Atmashphere amps can work with difficult loads, but you can overtax them- to the detriment of sound quality. Perhaps his new Class D amps would be a better fit.

Bob

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