Swampwalker, how have you been? I can personally assure you that your AtmaSphere M60 purchase is quite a smart one.
Please remember Ralph Karsten's "20 Year Rule". This is an ironclad, all out, commitment to do EVERYTHING he could possibly do to ensure that his products will last a MINIMUM of 20 years. At the time AtmaSphere was founded, the decline of the vacuum tube was in full swing, and American manufacturing was sinking fast. The country, in fact, was in a dark recession. Ralph wanted to ensure that no matter what happened to his company, his customers would be guaranteed the means to be listening to this wonderful music 20 years from ther purchase date.
Even his choice in tubes is influenced by this mantra. While they may not last forever, they seem to last longer than any other tube amplifier. If you come into a good tube, like the mules they have running at AtmaSphere, you could go 20+ years on them - they still haven't gone south on him.
Believe me, from personal experience I doubt there are more bulletproof amplifiers made. Try shorting any other amp and tell me what happens.
And, while we are speaking about Ralph, I want to make sure everyone knows exactly how much of a prince he actually is. Ralph is one of the most down to earth, personable, generous, intelligent, passionate, creative individuals ever in high end audio. There would be NO AtmaSphere without Ralph. In my opinion, the high end community owes him their support to the degree that his ability to land on his feet and be employed as anything he wants to be is assured.
History is full of personalities who were the companies they represented, often falling apart quickly once the departure of the founder was complete. I say the goal is to live and let live, but Ralph's ability to support himself MUST be ensured. To deprive a human being the capacity to make a living is one of the most inhumane, morally reprehensible acts in the world. I have faith the management of AtmaSphere would never engage in such a heinous act. But, if that ever happens, it is the responsibility of the audiophile community to mete out justice via our support.
