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Atma Sphere S30 amp

I got my S30 amp yesterday and got in 12 hrs. of listening time with it.

Having started off on this audio journey with tubes I got lost somewhere down the road with SS amps. A friend of mine sent me a demo AA PX25 to try out with my Zu speakers and I was in shock on how organic sounding this little 6W amp sounded and I soon realized ( in 5 min.) I screwed up big time. My amps sounded plastic/fake and after reading a review about the AS S30 being a better all around amp than the PX25 and with more power I bought the amp new.

Even with stock 6sn7 tubes this amp is a keeper for me. I could have had listening to a OTL all this time and feel I wasted alot of $$$ and time on my SS amps. You never know until you buy and try.

This amp is not for everyone but for Zu owners I would encourage you to try this guy out.

Thanks to all you OTL owners who have posted here in the forms and for Pubul57 whose knowledge of these amps made my purchase an easy decision.

Hiphiphorray I am back with tubes and loving it.



glory

Showing 6 responses by clio09

clio09
3,363 posts
 
You just helped me make a decision I was struggling with. The S-30 was used in the voicing of my speakers, so I've been wanting to try one. Now I definitely will.

The S-30 would be my third tube amp, along with a Music Reference RM-10 MkII and VAC Auricle Musicblocs. Problem is I don't need 3, so one of the other two will have to go to offset the cost (most likely the VAC, which in some ways would be painful). Decisions, decisions.
clio09
3,363 posts
 
Paul, I think I am light loading the RM-10 MkII. My speakers are 12 ohm nominal (no lower than 8 ohm dip) and I'm using the 8 ohm tap. Wouldn't this be the equivalent of using the 4 ohm tap on 8 ohm speakers?

Right now I'm leaning towards selling the VACs as they will fetch a lot more. Problem is you rarely see the 70 watt Auricle Musicblocs for sale and the cost to buy back in to VAC is quite high with their newer products. Can't justify keeping all three. I need to clean the garage this weekend.
clio09
3,363 posts
 
Glory, I plan on buying the S-30 new.

Paul, I will try the 4 ohm tap. I've been trying to reach Roger with no luck. When I lived in Santa Barbara he was more accessible. I'm going back for a visit in a couple of weeks and if I don't hear from him before then I'm going to drive to his house and knock on his door.

The Clio 9 passive volume attenuator and RM-10 MkII are getting along just fine.
clio09
3,363 posts
 
The VAC amps and the Jazz Modules are a great match. Just want to try the Atma-sphere since it was used in the voicing. At 12 ohms the VACs put out closer to 55 watts (maybe since it is the 8 ohm tap too) while the S-30 would be closer to 40. I don't think 15 watts is a big difference with these speakers.

If you like the Jazz Modules get them while Duke still has the TAD drivers.

The Berning would be another choice. I have the Micro ZOTL and use it as a preamp on occasion.
clio09
3,363 posts
 
Dpe,

Interesting thoughts on the Berning/Jazz Modules combo. I was always intrigued by Berning and like the Micro ZOTL. Perhaps they just don't match up well in this instance.

The VAC amps do offer nice mids, although the EL-34 models more so than the KT-88s IMO (I have owned the Avatar SE and Williamson 35/35). The fact that they are highly compatible with the Jazz Modules is a plus too. One thing I am considering is keeping the Musicblocs and converting them to EL-34. VAC has indicated this is easily doable.

Pubul57 is right about the RM-10MkII. This has to be one of the best amps out there in the 25 - 50 watt range. You can't argue with the used prices either. Amazing benefit to cost ratio.
clio09
3,363 posts
 
I mentioned this in another thread but I have just under $1500 invested in the amp and preamp used in my system right now (new just under $2500). I'm going to go out on a limb and say the sound I'm getting makes their valuation worth closer to $15k.

I'd pass on that $20k plus amp too.
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