[jtwrace]

If so, why and what do you like or dislike?  What was the Class A amp and which Atma did you go to?

[TomS]

Went from DIY FirstWatt F4 mono's and F5 to M60 MKIII.1's and have never looked back.  The utter clarity and lack of any kind of grain is startling, even in comparison to the F5.  See through quality without the edge.

The smaller AS amps (S30, M60) are not for every speaker load but for my Geddes Abbeys, they work perfectly.

[jriggy]

I have wondered for a while if I would be satisfied in the bass department with something like these...
How would you describe the bass response on the M60 MKIII's???

[TomS]

I have wondered for a while if I would be satisfied in the bass department with something like these...
How would you describe the bass response on the M60 MKIII's???

I use the M60's full range into the Abbeys, but also use 3 powered subs with varied individual cutoffs up to about 80 hz.  For the range I use them for, the same comments apply - clarity, detail, very clean without fatigue.  There is certainly plenty of impact if that's what you're worried about.  I can't really comment on extension due to my unique application.

[jtwrace]

What's incredible is I've yet to read or hear someone say they didn't like the Atma-Sphere sound.  That's impressive! 

The M-60 is great as it's "affordable" but man I really want those MA-1's.   

[sunnydaze]

Drop a note to member Larkston Zinaspic for details.  He went from Plinius SA-100 mk3 to Atma-Sphere S30.  He runs Audio Kinesis Jazz Modules speakers, and I know he is very happy.

In the past, when I had simpatico speakers, I used Atma-Sphere M60's.  Probably best amp I've ever owned.  Much better than any Class A SS I have ever owned or heard.....and I have heard quite a few.  FWIW.

[jtwrace]

Drop a note to member Larkston Zinaspic for details.  He went from Plinius SA-100 mk3 to Atma-Sphere S30.  He runs Audio Kinesis Jazz Modules speakers, and I know he is very happy.

In the past, when I had simpatico speakers, I used Atma-Sphere M60's.  Probably best amp I've ever owned.  Much better than any Class A SS I have ever owned or heard.....and I have heard quite a few.  FWIW.

Do you mind sharing which Class A SS amps you've owned?  Do you still use the M-60's?

[sunnydaze]

Do you mind sharing which Class A SS amps you've owned?  Do you still use the M-60's?

I have owned:

Plinius
Bedini
Monarchy
Aleph Pass clones
(and probably a few others that escape me now)

I have heard several others.

My current speakers are not a good match for OTL, so I no longer own AS.  But I would not hesitate to do so again...with the right speakers.

[Berto]

My current speakers are not a good match for OTL, so I no longer own AS.  But I would not hesitate to do so again...with the right speakers.

Hi Sunny,
             Curious what speakers you currently have?

[Wind Chaser]

My current speakers are not a good match for OTL, so I no longer own AS.  But I would not hesitate to do so again...with the right speakers.

Before he got going with the 'Anti Cables' thing, Paul Speltz made a name for himself with... http://www.zeroimpedance.com/

These were specially made for OTL amplifiers to solve the problem of speaker incompatibility due to impedance issues.  I used them in reverse with great success to solve another, but similar problem.  They are somewhat expensive but very effective.

[jtwrace]

My current speakers are not a good match for OTL, so I no longer own AS.  But I would not hesitate to do so again...with the right speakers.

Sorry to keep asking...

What is not a good match?  What are the "right" speakers?

[poseidonsvoice]

Before he got going with the 'Anti Cables' thing, Paul Speltz made a name for himself with... http://www.zeroimpedance.com/

These were specially made for OTL amplifiers to solve the problem of speaker incompatibility due to impedance issues.  I used them in reverse with great success to solve another, but similar problem.  They are somewhat expensive but very effective.

Of note, do understand that the Zero Autoformers are wired in parallel to your circuit, not in series. So it's not like the music signal is going through 100's of feet of wire before reaching your loudspeakers.

Anand.

[sunnydaze]

Sorry to keep asking...

What is not a good match?  What are the "right" speakers?

OTL amps like to see a speaker that is EZ to drive.  That is, high sensitivity and high and stable load.  Just rough benchmarks,  but I would say at least 90 db sensitive AND not dipping below 8 ohms over frequency range.  There might be exceptions, but this is general rule.

[sunnydaze]

Hi Sunny,
             Curious what speakers you currently have?

Sunny Cable Technology H2W10.

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak101007.shtml

[Berto]

Sunny Cable Technology H2W10.

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak101007.shtml

Wow beautiful speaks, now we know why you're in a "sunnydaze"

At 91db and a 8ohm load, now i'm curious what makes these non-otl friendly?

[sunnydaze]

Having lived with the Sunnys for a couple of years now, it's just based on my experience and instincts.  I've tried at least a dozen amps, both tubes and SS,  low and high power, and I just get the sense that OTL will not do it.  They seem to do best on high powered SS, and my understanding is that is what drives them at shows.

Although they are fairly sensitive (according to spec), I have no idea what the Sunny impedance curve looks like over the FR, and I can't get the info.  This is a critical concern when one is considering OTL.  Probably moreso than high efficiency.

My buddy drives his Sunnys with high powered tubes and he is very happy.  He has used Rogue M150 monos,  PrimaLuna monos, and Music Reference RM-9 mk2.  For awhile I used Dodd 120 monos to great effect -- very dynamic, detailed and spacious -- but I didn't like the high noise floor.

I'm sure your system sounds awesome,  Berto.     
Having owned them, I know what AS OTL can do, and based on reports, I've always been very intrigued by Daedalus speakers.  They sound like they might be right up my alley.  I will probably own them one day.

[TomS]

Sorry to keep asking...

What is not a good match?  What are the "right" speakers?

Duke (AudioKinesis) gives several very nice explanations of how he matches his speakers to the smaller AS OTL's, or vice versa, for customers, so you might search that.  Generally, you want a rather benign impedance curve and something 8 ohms or greater as was said.  If the speakers are low impedance, the Zero's can make the amp think it's seeing a higher impedance that it can be happy with.  There is good info on Paul's site on this.

I've heard Duke's setups several times and whatever he does definitely works.

[PaulFolbrecht]

Went from DIY FirstWatt F4 mono's and F5 to M60 MKIII.1's and have never looked back.  The utter clarity and lack of any kind of grain is startling, even in comparison to the F5.  See through quality without the edge.

The smaller AS amps (S30, M60) are not for every speaker load but for my Geddes Abbeys, they work perfectly.

Old thread, but - you should know that the I have owned F3 & F5 clones (Rawson - the best) and real Pass F3 & F5 and the clones were not even close in sound quality (a surprise to me).  I guess parts & construction technique matter.

The clones were too warm - to the point of being opaque - and congested in comparison.

That said, OTL tube amps, including A-S, are about the most transparent & clear sounding amps, I agree.