Atma-Sphere MP-3 Mk. 3.3 vs. VAC CPA-1 MK II or Avatar Super - Recommendations

Why not use a passive/active switching pre like the Schitt Saga?

If you want the best sound get VAC.

If you want the VERY best sound get the Atmasphere

I own the Atma MP-3 but when I got an Ayre KX-R, it bested the Atma.
So, I am having Ralph build me an MP-1. I expect it to give the Ayre a run for the money.
Plus, Atma Sphere is one of the nicest companies to deal with.
No experience with VAC.
Bob

@noromance : Don’t know what is passive/ active switching but compared to VAC & Atma, Shiit look like babies. No offense, but I don’t think they’re in the same calibre.
@gdnrbob: MP-1 looks impressive but I don’t think I can ever be able to afford it, even used. :)
Pound to pound, tube to tube, MP-3 seems too light, too small, & too Solid Statey compared to both the VAC models. Isn’t the sound directly proportional to the weight of the transformer & tube used?

There’s another thread comparing both Avatar models. 

@hitsofmisses Agreed. However, the reason I suggested the Schiit passive (it has an active JFET option) was because you only have two high-level sources which could be fed into power amp(s). You do not necessarily need a massive preamp or an integrated as you have the Halo. While the Schiit doesn’t look much, it is a lot better than its price suggests.

What about Linear Tube Audio, Backert, Audio Research, or Don Sachs?  Why so limited?

My budget is around $3000 & I’m only considering getting a used one. I haven’t seen any Backert or Don Sachs in the used market. And for that much money, I think the used models from VAC or Atma would perform better than the new ones from the other two.


Besides, there’s a limited userbase that can attest to Beckert or Sachs over the ones I shortlisted.

Isn’t the sound directly proportional to the weight of the transformer & tube used?

No- that simply has nothing to do with it. Things to look for: a simple signal path, available tubes (some preamps use tubes that are no longer made), whether or not the unit has regulated power supplies, construction quality.
If you have a simple signal path its likely that the circuit will be more transparent with wider bandwidth. The power transformers simply have to provide the needed voltage and current such that they can do the job. Any excess capacity that the transformer might have doesn't affect the sound- it simply means that the product is heavier without other benefit.

Now damping **can** affect the sound as it reduces microphonics and a good damping system does add weight.

It’s not clear to me why you are asking for comparisons between an integrated amp and two preamps. Would I be correct in assuming that if you were to go with the Avatar Super it would replace the Halo A51, as well as adding preamp functionality? And if so wouldn’t the most significant comparison involving the Avatar Super be between its sonics and those of the Halo?

Regards,
-- Al

@atmasphere: Since I have never listened to any tube preamps & I don’t have any design/ engineering experience, I don’t have a base to compare. That’s why I‘m relying on people who has listened & compared these equipments.

@almarg : I also chose VAC integrated because  it can accept connections from multiple sources (tape deck, bluray, etc.). I was informed that I’ll be able to use it in both HT & Stereo only mode. 

So are you saying that if you were to go with the Avatar Super you would use it to power the two Tyler Linbrook speakers, and the Halo would be used to power whatever other speakers you have in the HT system?

If so, as I alluded to previously I think the most major consideration regarding the possibility of choosing the Avatar Super would be how its sonics compare with those of the Halo. As well as how tube-friendly the Linbrook speaker is in terms of its impedance and sensitivity characteristics, about which I have no knowledge.

Regards,
-- Al

Atma-Sphere MP-1 or MP-3  Above VAC and Ayre for sure and once set up properly I doubt you would ever want to sell it either. Atma-Sphere is more of a destination Gear, than the journey whilst I consider the others more of an experience only.

A Fully Kitted Out MP-3 will get you close enough performance to an MP-1