2. amps-preamps
  3. 151766-98013

What is the best premp for Atma-Sphere MA-1 3.3 amp?

I am thinking about Atma-Sphere MA-1 amp to drive Sound Lab speakers. I can go with A-S preamps (MP-1 or 3) but I was wondering if there are better sounding or better value preamps that match well with MA-1 amp. I am new to tubes and am concerned about the tube hassle, but it seems that the improvement in 3D and clarity of tubes may be worth it. Any recommendations? I wan to stay slightly below the proverbial "point of diminishing returns."
128x128chungjh

Showing 4 responses by sksos

sksos
154 posts
 
Just to quickly chime in and please note I am a dealer for A-S. Yes the MP-1 is clearly better than the MP-3 but it's also substantially more $$$ not that $$$ has anything to do with SQ but in this case it does. The 3.3 vs 3.1 or 3.2 is also better in the MP-3. Personally I did prefer the MP-1 3.2 line section vs the MP-1 3.3 line section but the phono section in the MP-1 3.3 is again clearly better/quieter. These are my own subjective views. 
I can also say I bought SL 545's and as much as I really wanted to like them (I LOVE their bigger speakers) I just could not get them to sing. Roger West did take them back after almost 4 months but still it was a $$$ learning experience. 

(Dealer disclaimer)
sksos
154 posts
 
Room size is approx 16' x 26' with 10' ceilings. M-60's with Zero Autoformers (not enough power) Bricasti amplifiers as well as Merrill Audio Veritas and even tried the new Merrill Element 118's. There were other amps as well and again just could not get the SL 545's to sing.

(Dealer disclaimer) 
sksos
154 posts
 
@chungjh to answer your question I don't think room size was a factor. As I mentioned I knew the A-S M60's did not have enough power but I tried many other amps as mentioned earlier as well as Gold Note 1175 and a customer even lugged over his Hegel H30 and still could not get 545's to sing. Again I've loved their bigger offerings which is why I custom ordered the 545's in a Birds Eye Maple frame, the speakers looked fantastic! 
Since I love electrostatic/panel speakers I then went to Sanders 10e speakers which worked GREAT in the same space. 

(Dealer disclaimer) 
sksos
154 posts
 
@chungjh  Yes I tried the Sanders Magtech amps then tried the Bricasti M25 amps. Bricasti brought out more 'soul" to the music so used 2 x M25's to drive the 10e speakers. (My opinion is using 2 of the same amps on the speakers is the smart thing to do....Roger Sanders may/will disagree). Yes the magtech has more power but the Bricasti never had a problem with my listening levels at 85-92 dB and peaks in the high 90's.    
(Dealer disclaimer)
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