have owned mk1 to mk3 signature for many years and experienced tube swapping and replacing as a nasty habit.
the later Ultimate behaved much better, but still relied heavy on tube quality and so dependability. I finally found myself spending more time on tube rolling then enyoing music and left the CAT camp.
after many years have inserted the CAT Legend by chance and for quite a period too, but Atma MP1 mk3 just soars. way more transparancy, air, detail on line and phono. the CAT has great midrange meat though. i still did not experience the Legend as much better than the older incarnations just more of the same.
i must confess the MP1 is depending on tube rolling too with EH tubes as the most quiet but less good soundwise. the trick is to find and mix 'n match NOS which are quiet enough and non microphonic. now that is a challenge to say the least..
pls do try out the passive MusicFirst TVC.
'boring lacking dynamics and sterile sounding'? now waay.
a UK based customer sold his PRT-1 in favor of the MF Reference.. it may be very well system dependent, but still.
my two dollars.
the later Ultimate behaved much better, but still relied heavy on tube quality and so dependability. I finally found myself spending more time on tube rolling then enyoing music and left the CAT camp.
after many years have inserted the CAT Legend by chance and for quite a period too, but Atma MP1 mk3 just soars. way more transparancy, air, detail on line and phono. the CAT has great midrange meat though. i still did not experience the Legend as much better than the older incarnations just more of the same.
i must confess the MP1 is depending on tube rolling too with EH tubes as the most quiet but less good soundwise. the trick is to find and mix 'n match NOS which are quiet enough and non microphonic. now that is a challenge to say the least..
pls do try out the passive MusicFirst TVC.
'boring lacking dynamics and sterile sounding'? now waay.
a UK based customer sold his PRT-1 in favor of the MF Reference.. it may be very well system dependent, but still.
my two dollars.