2. amps-preamps
  3. 190562-2906

Preamp suggestions for Atma-Sphere Class D Monoblocks

As I impatiently await the arrival of my Atma-Sphere class-d monos, I am writing to solicit opinions from experienced members on this site. Balanced inputs and outputs as well as the ability to connect a subwoofer are important. Headphone amp would be nice but not critical. Ditto for built-in phono. These are some of the tube and solid state units I am considering (not necessarily exhaustive):

  1. Atma-Sphere MP-3 mk3.3
  2. Cary SLP-05 (ultimate edition, if I can find a pristine used pair at a good price)
  3. Modwright LS-100
  4. PrimaLuna EVO 400
  5. Supratek - Champagne or 6SN7 Cabernet - I have no idea what the difference between these two are and the website is not helpful at all
  6. Anthem STR
  7. Benchmark LA-4/HPA-4
  8. Bryston BR-20 (or one of their purely analog variants - BP-19?) - I am hesitant to bundle streaming and dac into a preamp
  9. NAD M66
  10. ?

I will initially use the Bel Canto DAC2.8 as a dac and preamp with an Auralic Aries G1.1 as the streamer. My speakers are Totem Acoustic Forest Signatures, sub is a REL s/510 that I seldom use. I am unsure whether I can use the speaker level connections with the A-S monos (my current Bel Canto Ref510S class d amp has a chassis grounding screw to which I connect the REL’s ground wire).

Philosophically speaking, I have owned a wide range of equipment over the years - everything from "measurements above all" type gear (a full Benchmark stack), a few tube pieces (PrimaLuna, Tavish Design, Rogue), Class A amplification (Pass Labs XA-30.8) and a completely active Genelec 8351b based system. I seem to be slowly but surely gravitating towards subjectively great sounding gear, regardless of how they measure - the Totems are a case in point. However, I don’t want to find that I have moved too far in any one direction. At the end of the day, I value realism and emotional connection more than the ability to deconstruct the music but I don’t want to listen to a sloppy system that homogenizes everything. I’m sure this is all clear as mud! It is however, a reflection of where I am at the end of 28 years of being on this hamster wheel. All thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

srama

Showing 1 response by o_holter

o_holter
980 posts
 

@srama thanks!

«Gravitating towards subjectively great sounding gear « - same here. But realism also. Clear as mud ; - )

I hope the amps will be a great match with your Totem speakers. I have Atma-Sphere tube monoblocs, and am very happy with them. Have not heard their class D.

As for preamp, I would go for a good tube or hybrid solution, balanced. A-S Mp-1 is the top of the line, and said to be better than the Mp-3 but more costly also (not heard them). Another tube top choice is Aesthetix Callisto (or Calypso to a more moderate price). I use a hybrid Einstein The tube mk2 that works well in my system. If I were you I would first focus on my candidates, and then, look for used sales at audiogon, hifishark etc.

I would also advice – dont skimp on the phono stage. With such a good system, you will probably want to investigate vinyl playback. I paid a lot for an Aesthetix Io phono stage many years ago but have never looked back.

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