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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.

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o_holter
975 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.

soix
9,456 posts
 

Given what you’re looking for my top choices (in no particular order) would be the MP-3, Spatial Audio Raven, Aric Audio Motherload XL, and Backert Rhumba Extreme and don’t think you could possibly go wrong with any of them and believe several offer trial periods, which is super helpful. Incidentally, I think both phono preamps and headphone amps (if you’re at all serious about headphones) are important enough that they should be separate and should not influence which preamp you buy — the preamp is just too critical so especially at this level sound quality/characteristics should be your ultimate and final arbiter. Best of luck.

tms0425
72 posts
 

I have a Modwright LS300 fully balanced preamp, with dual balanced outputs, which I'm using with AtmaSphere Class D's. They are a very nice combination, and work well together.

That said, my dealer (UniqueHomeAudio) has a used AtmaSphere MP1 for sale that is just back from Ralph after a full top to bottom checkup/refurb. I've owned the MP3 before and heard the MP1 many times. That MP1 would be my choice, as they're hard to find in the used market in that condition.

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srama OP
65 posts
 

Thank you all for your responses so far.

@0_holter, thanks for your suggestions - I have come across the Aesthetix in various reviews but have never heard them myself. At a superficial level, their stark modern lines don’t appeal to me - I can be shallow like that ;-)

@Soix, the Spatial Audio Raven was unknown to me and it looks very interesting - thanks for sharing that here. I have reached out to them with a couple of questions using their contact page.

@tms0425, thank you for sharing recommendations as well - I’m sure the MP-1 is spectacular, but likely outside my budget, even used!

I also came across the LTA Microzotl Preamplifier Level 2 in another thread. Any thoughts on that particular piece - in absolute terms and as possible match for the A-S class D?

 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,978 posts
 

First Sound. A little different in design from most, and very good.

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