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Atma-Sphere S-30 MK3


To Atma owners and gurus;

I've just recently jumped on the Atma wagon and I must say that so far this has been the single most eye & ear opening amplifier experience in my entire audio life of almost 28 years.

The S-30mk3 has been residing in my rig for close to 4 months now and is still breaking in, but should be almost done anytime soon.

I do however complain of an un-natural tonality in general that comes and goes during the break-in period and which was also very clear from the beginning. This is also accompanied by a certain 'hardness'..much like looking directly into sunlight as opposed to looking through a pair of poloroids..This issue is really bugging me and was wondering if it's part of the break-in process of Atmasphere amps in general, as I have never experienced it with other amps, tube or SS..

This aside, the amp seems to be taking forever to break-in..!!! But, it certainly looks to be my holy grail in amplification.

Along the way, I replaced the stock Chinese 6SN7's with EH's and now settled on Tung-Sol's. The latter being the best sounding of the lot. I do wanna stick to current production tubes as much as possible. Don't wanna go on the NOS merry-go-round..:-)

The S-30 is driving a pair of Tannoy Edinburgh's, from the Tannoy Prestige Series, to wonderful effect and the sound is heavenly! Preamp is a BAT VK-3iX Special Edition and is also a very good sonic match with the S-30..

Appreciate any input and of course any advice from the Atmasphere gurus and lovers here..!

TIA

AudioGrails
audiograils

Showing 2 responses by trcnetmsncom

trcnetmsncom
431 posts
 
Hello Audiograils,

Whew! I was beginning to think I was the only one out there who heard the same thing as you concerning the Atma-Sphere amps. My experience was in particular with the latest generation A-S MA2 amps.

Yes, I also found the treble attack as having a unnatural glare or bite. I also felt that texture of tone overall was lacking density and body, I heard it as being on the thin side of what I perceive as natural or neutral. In the thread I also used similar words " like looking directly into the sun" to describe this unnatural hardness in the treble.

If you haven't already, may I suggest that you read the thread because I was alone in my opinion. The thread is entitled "Atma-Sphere MA-1 amps".
the link: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1217516876

I hope it turns out to be just a burn-in issue for you as I know in my experience I find certain aspects of performance of the A-S amps to be .... truly one of a kind.

Best,
Tom
trcnetmsncom
431 posts
 
Hello,

In response to Atmasphere's post....

I just wanted to point out that I heard the A-S MA-2 amps with both analog and digital front ends, both of which are considered by the audiophile community to be at the very top of their game.

It was the same sonic fingerprint I heard to various degrees in all 3 systems (please refer to Atma-Sphere MA-1 thread) regardless of the source . I feel confident with my opinion that the sound was due to either the amp speaker interaction, or just my general take on the sound of the A-S amp.

"I suggest your ears were acclimating to the sonics and different presentation of an OTL amplifier."

If you believe this statement, which very well could be true, then you would have to conclude the A-S amps do have their own sonic signature.

Sincerely and with all due respect, on a public forum such as this, I feel that (IMHO) manufactures are better off sticking to posting only factual information about their equipment and refrain from posting any subjective opinions or comments as they will be biased.

Best,
Tom
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