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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 

 

  

128x128andy_wonderwall
andy_wonderwall's avatar
andy_wonderwall OP
18 posts
 

@decooney 

A Theoretica Applied Physics Bacch SP-adio. It is a crosstalk eleminating sound processor with a DAC doubling as a pre-amp. Works gr8 for me. But combining with a nice tube preamp is also something to consider! 

andy_wonderwall's avatar
andy_wonderwall OP
18 posts
 

@bdp24 

…will read up on them! Thanks! 

andy_wonderwall's avatar
andy_wonderwall OP
18 posts
 

@gdnrbob 

The pair I am borrowing are a pair of demos. Lets see at what price point they are for the moment.

…and you are right. They probably can handle any loads. Sounds terrific and have outgunned my beloved Bryston in most areas, Ive learned during the course of this day. 

audition__audio
1,461 posts
 

100W per channel from a pair of KT-88s? Doesnt seem possible even for a quad of KT-88s.

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bdp24
9,775 posts
 

Good observation, @audition_audio. Just one of the things that makes the RM-200 as unique as it is. And he gets 100 watts out of a pair of KT-88’s not by driving them hard (which of course shortens their life, something Modjeski was very much opposed to), but by creative engineering. How he did it can be discovered with a little research.

Modjeski often said he only introduced a new amplifier when he had something new to offer, not just to fill a market need. He gave talks at two or three of The Burning Amp Festivals in San Francisco, sharing the stage with Nelson Pass, one of the few of his contemporaries he held in high regard. Those talks were videotaped, and may be found on YouTube. Essential viewing!

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