Many years ago I had an Atma-Sphere S 30. It had beautiful clarity although at that time I felt it leaned toward a SS sound. Because of this animated and informative discussion, I have come to much better understand the qualitative elements that make for good SS sound and good 300B SET sound. It is surely a mistake to generalize, although the essential and main difference is that SS is an intellectual perspective and SET an emotional one. I just spent 3 days listening to my First Watt M2 in place of my 300Bs. As it was wisely said: it is a different paradigm. I did appreciate the tight bass and the fine details but missed the SET. Today I put the tubes back in and it was a big ahhhh... ! Instead of using my head and enjoying the qualities of the SS M2, I again am using my gut. It’s visceral.
However, the good SS qualities and good ones of SET may be embodied in Atma-Sphere MA 60s. As we all know, Ralph has been a deeply seasoned source of knowledge and information. His statements about my intellectual/emotional understanding referring to how the brain interprets sound has been transformative. I believe I now am aware of the negative aspects of SET. That is, pthe lose of focus, distortion, etc. I believe the Atma-Spheres may balance clarity and emotion in a way that my evolved perspective can perceive and appreciate.
If the thread continues, I will report on the results of the MA 60s.
The Bakoon 13R is still of significant interest. I cannot discount how I may or may not care for it. But my understanding that tubes, especially in an OTL, have a physicality that cannot be duplicated. After all I have come to understand through this thread, I think that the Atma-Sphere is my best bet. Time will tell.
