Anyone compare a Berning amp with a Atma-Sphere MA1?

Brad V · « **on:** 24 Sep 2003, 03:11 pm »

Hi,

A good audiophile buddy of mine had just had the MA1 on loan to him. He has the Spectron Musician II and he has never heard an amp, that sounded better than his Musician II. He's compared that digital amp to so many high priced amps and still find the Musician II to do most things better.

Well, I was pretty shocked to here him call me the other week, after first powering them up. He was completely blown away and said how it blew the Spectron Musician II away in every category. Later he came back and said that he thought that the Musician II might have the upper hand in Macro Dynamics, however the MA1 beat it even in the bass. Well, the MA1 is pretty expensive at $9,800 and it's a space heater at that. He heard that the David Berning 70 Watt amp might be along the same lines of sound, as the MA1.

Is there anyone, who has heard both of these? If so, how do they compare.

TIA,

Brad

meilankev · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 04:26 pm »

Brad,

I can't help you out with specific comparos with the two amps you mention. However, I am not surprised with you buddy's opinions of the Atmasphere amp. It uses the same triode output tubes as are on my KORAs (6AS7G). In fact, the MA-1 has 14 of these tubes per monoblock, as opposed to 8 per monoblock for the KORAs. And my KORAs have bettered the bass of each of the three behemoth SS amps I've compared them to.

Of course, mine also run pretty hot, but I still never turn them off (unless a thunderstorm is near).

Kevin

Brad V · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 04:33 pm »

Quote from: meilankev

Brad,

I can't help you out with specific comparos with the two amps you mention. However, I am not surprised with you buddy's opinions of the Atmasphere amp. It uses the same triode output tubes as are on my KORAs (6AS7G). In fact, the MA-1 has 14 of these tubes per monoblock, as opposed to 8 per monoblock for the KORAs. And my KORAs have bettered the bass of each of the three behemoth SS amps I've compared them to.

Of course, mine also run pretty hot, but I still never turn them off (unless a thunderstorm is near).

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

If you never turn yours off, do you live in Alaska?

Thanks,

Brad

meilankev · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 04:37 pm »

Brad,

Actually, I live in Tampa. But my listening room is upstairs on a separate A/C unit from the rest of the house. So, I just adjust the temperature (from 82 down to 77) when I listening to music or watching a DVD. It's a small room (16'w x 15'd x 8'h), so it cools down pretty quickly.

Kevin

doug s. · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 06:49 pm »

so, kevin, ya live in tampa & ya never turn yer amps off - unless a t-storm is near... does this mean they get turned *on* once in a while?

doug s.

cjr888 · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 06:54 pm »

Brad,

I can't help with the comparison, but I do have a question and suggestion.

Question: Curious what speakers were used since the Atmasphere's are OTLs and speaker sensitive to impedance. Usually we hear about the opposite -- someone pairing an OTL with speakers they shouldn't be paired with, and then having awful comments. Curious to hear what they were used with.

Comment: You'll obviously get a very biased opinion, but I believe there is an Atmasphere user group with message board out there -- if you don't get any responses here, I'm sure you'll get some interesting comments there or at AA... If this is the case, please be sure to share back here for other interested parties.

Brad V · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 08:57 pm »

Quote from: cjr888

Brad,

Question: Curious what speakers were used since the Atmasphere's are OTLs and speaker sensitive to impedance. Usually we hear about the opposite -- someone pairing an OTL with speakers they shouldn't be paired with, and then having awful comments. Curious to hear what they were used with.

Comment: You'll obviously get a very biased opinion, but I believe there is an Atmasphere user group with message board out there ...

He's running them on the same speakers as mine, which are the Excelarray's. They have an impedance of 10.6 ohms. I'm pushing my with a 37 Watt Bel Canto SET amp and don't get them to clip. Here's a picture of them:
http://members.aol.com/bvirgil311/Rack2.jpg

Gary has been out to the Atma-Sphere site and couldn't find any comparisons.

Thanks,

Brad

cyounkman · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 03:19 am »

Brad:

Nice system! Do I spy with my little eye a GamuT CD-1 in that picture?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 05:06 am »

Brad , Question -- happy with your Audio Research preamp ?

Brad V · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 12:03 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Brad , Question -- happy with your Audio Research preamp ?

I was happy with my Audio Research Preamp when I bought it used a little over a year ago. I did this after some people I know, heavily recommended it. I had no idea, to what degree this preamp was capable of. Someone had posted on AA, that this preamp coupled with a few upgrades, would bring it in line with $10,000 preamps. I took the guys advice and had Kevin Carter upgrade it. He replaced all the coupling and power supply caps, changed out some connectors, made it an IEC Power connector and installed a step up transformer for my low output Grado Statement Cartridge. The total cost of the upgrade, was $451 with the step up, which included sales tax, since he is also in NC. The improvement was mind boggling. The soundstage width and depth increased tremendously. The level of detail improved. The bass went much deeper and tighter and the highs were much more extended. I have since compared it with a Spectral $7,000 preamp. The Spectral was better in the bottom end, however I felt that my preamp was much better in the midrange.

So, my total cost was under $1,000, as I bought it for $500.00. What I understand, is that the models to look for, are the SP-6 and SP-6A.

Hope that helped,

Brad