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Thought on OTL tube amps

Just curious....how do these sound/perform compared to tube amps with transformers? Why do you prefer one or the other? Any particular brands of OTL amps you would recommend listening to? You can see my system on my tag here...listen mostly to rock and roll with a smattering of jazz and a bit of classical once in a while. The next stop on my amplifier adventure is an OTL model, and I have no intention of trading it for either SET I currently have, as I'm very happy with both. One of the ways I enjoy experimenting with different "sound" is by switching up the amps. Just trying to solicit some opinions, of which I know there are many strong ones here at A-Gon. Thanks in advance!
afc

Showing 8 responses by grannyring

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grannyring
6,592 posts
 
JWM

The Atma-sphere MA1 amp on my Soundlab A3 speakers is anything BUT lean sounding. I find it to be full of bloom and weight.
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grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I must admit I am a little confused here. Two posters have said OTL amps are thin sounding?

Goodness my experiece could not be more opposite. On my Soundlab speakers they have more body then two other great SS amps I have heard on them.Amps that had good body, but the Atma's had more!

I also used an OTL amp on a set of Silverline Bolero speakers and again the sound was rich and full of texture and bloom. My experience with OTL amps seems to be very different indeed.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I thought this would be so. Anyway, I run from thin sounding gear as my ears find that to be the #1 sonic dislike.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Your missing the fact that I have owned many top end amps along with the Atma-sphere on these same speakers. So I could compare these other amps to the OTL and note any changes to my music. Trust me when I say I have heard many a great amp and the OTL was always the leader in body, weight, texture and realism. Again on direct comparison to other amps on the same speakers.

Surely if the OTL was thin compared to other great tube and SS amps I would have noticed it relative to the other amps.

Just my experience.
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grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I just had my Atma-sphere MA1's updated to the latest 3.1 version (from 2.2) plus all options available have been added.

I have got to share that the current upgrades are a revelation for this amp. Wow does this amp now sing. So rich and glorious with state of the art transparency. The stage depth is jaw dropping and the images so 3D and real.

This is my first OTL amp or amp from Atma-sphere and I am taken back now realizing what I have been missing. This latest generation simply outclasses the 2.2 by a wide margin.

Yes, I am pleased to say the least. I have owned many a tube amp and this one has all of that wonderful warmth, bloom and weight combined with SET-like intimacy.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I love the sound of the Atma-sphere MA1's on my Soundlabs, but I wish I had a bit more power.Up to 85 db or so they are so sweet and intimate. The bass has great foundation and weight.

My amps are still breaking in and I must remember that. They have the V-caps and I read they take time to break-in. They only have 30 hours or so thus far.

Funny thing is they seem to get more powerful with break-in. I know that seems nuts, but I swear it is happening.
They used to clip at sound levels they now play through? Strange, but true in my current experience.
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grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Ya, I wish I could afford the MA2's as the heat is no problem here in Minnesota. I welcome the heat most of the time.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I use a Sunfire Signature 600 x 2 amp that has been completely gone through with power supply caps replaced and some other work to get it up to and beyond spec.

I know many will quickly dismiss this amp based on the "Sunfire" brand. I have not heard a better amp on my Soundlab A1 speakers however. This amp is a great match to my SL speakers. I have listened to several top amps on my speakers and the Sunfire just sounds most right.

I have not tried the larger Atma amps such as the MA2 & 3 and may guess they would also be quite good :-) problem is the Sunfire cost me $1500.
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