Can one evaluate Atma-Sphere amplifiers without a balanced pre?

JakeJ · « **Reply #20 on:** 21 Oct 2010, 09:35 pm »

Thanks, Mike. I really should have started a new thread, sorry to all.
EDIT: I did start a new thread, that's why Mike has a response to an unseen question.

jtwrace · « **Reply #21 on:** 21 Oct 2010, 09:49 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 21 Oct 2010, 04:54 pm

Yep, its clear to me now--I brain farted.

The amplifier started sounding good last night after it had been on for three or four hours... like, really good. The presentation was the epitome of effortless and it even sounded great at lower levels than I normally listen to, which is very exciting to me as I have an infant in a relatively small space.

I'm perceiving a tiny bit of dryness to the presentation, but its not preventing it from being beautiful. I suspect rolling 6SN7s may really get me there. Quite exciting.

Oh you're killing me after reading this...I'm on the hunt for a pair of M-60's.

My plan is to keep my 300wpc Class A mono blocks too.

Gopher · « **Reply #22 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 02:09 am »

I think you may be on to something, Berto. My prior amp was so sweet, lush and euphonic that this may not be a dryness, just accuracy. I'm liking it more as I continue to listen though. I do wonder if I could sweeten it just a touch with different 6sn7s without losing the positive attributes.

Did you sell your audio aero amp on audiogon local sale only after some buyer played a game a few months back? If so I think I tried to buy it from you. That amp was very intriguing to me and the seller priced it way below what I thought it should fetch.

zybar · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 02:18 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 22 Oct 2010, 02:09 am

I think you may be on to something, Berto. My prior amp was so sweet, lush and euphonic that this may not be a dryness, just accuracy. I'm liking it more as I continue to listen though. I do wonder if I could sweeten it just a touch with different 6sn7s without losing the positive attributes.

Did you sell your audio aero amp on audiogon local sale only after some buyer played a game a few months back? If so I think I tried to buy it from you. That amp was very intriguing to me and the seller priced it way below what I thought it should fetch.

You certainly can.

Here is a link with a lot 6SN7 info: http://www.tubeseller.com/ratings.php

If you want the ultimate, it is the Tung-Sol Roundplates.

If you want something that gets a good way there without breaking the bank, go Raytheon or Ken-Rad.

George

Gopher · « **Reply #24 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 02:25 am »

Wonderful link, George. Thank you!

Do you do a mix yourself or are you using straight Tung-Sols in your amps? I broke the bank a bit as is, purchasing this S-30 before selling off my prior amps first so I'll look into inexpensive to moderately cost tubes. I'm not in a super rush anyhow as I'm still learning the character.

That breakdown of expectations/characteristics will be quite helpful.

mgalusha · « **Reply #25 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 03:16 am »

While not inexpensive the new Sophia (Full Music) 6SN7's have proven quite nice in my M-60's. Don't know how the compare with the TS round plates but having options is always good.

Gopher · « **Reply #26 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 04:11 am »

Welp.... My amp just died.

Not sure wtf just happened, it was sounding good then all of a sudden I noticed the level dropping. I look up and notice both lights (standby and on) are out....

Was looking forward to listening this weekend--this kinda throws a wrench in the fan. Not sure wtf the issue is... hopefully a fuse or something.

OK, its back. That was odd. I flicked all the switches off, unplugged and replugged the IEC and changed and changed back the wall socket and it fired back up. DC offset was slightly high on the right side but it seems to be back on and possibly sounding a little better then before....

The yellow standby light sort of pulses now though.

Berto · « **Reply #27 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 04:44 am »

Glad it still workd

Was glad when I finally sold that amp ,sounded great but co. discountined it and gave me zero support when i needed it.

TomS · « **Reply #28 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 02:37 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 22 Oct 2010, 04:11 am

Welp.... My amp just died.

Not sure wtf just happened, it was sounding good then all of a sudden I noticed the level dropping. I look up and notice both lights (standby and on) are out....

Was looking forward to listening this weekend--this kinda throws a wrench in the fan. Not sure wtf the issue is... hopefully a fuse or something.

OK, its back. That was odd. I flicked all the switches off, unplugged and replugged the IEC and changed and changed back the wall socket and it fired back up. DC offset was slightly high on the right side but it seems to be back on and possibly sounding a little better then before....

The yellow standby light sort of pulses now though.

The incandescent lights occasionally flicker and it is not a worry. Turn them off, unscrew the caps, take the lamps out and just clean the contacts, re-insert.

jtwrace · « **Reply #29 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 03:29 pm »

Quote from: Berto on 22 Oct 2010, 04:44 am

Glad it still workd

Was glad when I finally sold that amp ,sounded great but co. discountined it and gave me zero support when i needed it.

That amp is not discontinued it's just been updated. As for zero support, I"m a bit surprised about that comment as I've heard nothing but good things about the Atma-Sphere customer support. Ralph is certainly around forums a bunch. Hmm.

atmasphere · « **Reply #30 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 05:21 pm »

Quote from: Berto on 22 Oct 2010, 04:44 am

Glad it still workd

Was glad when I finally sold that amp ,sounded great but co. discountined it and gave me zero support when i needed it.

Berto, We try as hard as we can to offer support. And the amp is still in production. I should also point out that as a matter of company policy if we update any of our older product to the latest level, we reactivate the warranty, which was possible with your S-30. What sort of problem did you run into?

Gopher · « **Reply #31 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 05:55 pm »

Quote from: atmasphere on 22 Oct 2010, 05:21 pm

Berto, We try as hard as we can to offer support. And the amp is still in production. I should also point out that as a matter of company policy if we update any of our older product to the latest level, we reactivate the warranty, which was possible with your S-30. What sort of problem did you run into?

He owns an Atmasphere now, Ralph. He was complaining of Audio Aero not supporting the amp which prompted his move to your company.

Question: If one were to change the pairs of 6sn7s on the S-30MKII, which order from front to back is the importance?

Berto · « **Reply #32 on:** 22 Oct 2010, 07:00 pm »

Quote from: atmasphere on 22 Oct 2010, 05:21 pm

Berto, We try as hard as we can to offer support. And the amp is still in production. I should also point out that as a matter of company policy if we update any of our older product to the latest level, we reactivate the warranty, which was possible with your S-30. What sort of problem did you run into?

Hey Ralph and Jason, I should of been more clear but Gopher understood. I upgraded from an Audio Aero Captiole Amp which Audio Aero discontinued. They never even answered a simple email. I upgraded to a pair of second hand MA-1s which I love! My ACTUAL opinion of Atma-sphere customer service is super friendly , immediate and as good as I've ever encountered. I've spoken to you Ralph and you were very helpful and friendly, a class-act! I look forward to updating my MA-1s as soon as I can part with them, and no matter what anyone says bout RMAF the MA-1s properly setup w/the Ulysses, blow me away. I look fwd to hearing them every day, more like a listening event, then a mere session.

atmasphere · « **Reply #33 on:** 26 Oct 2010, 09:29 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 22 Oct 2010, 05:55 pm

He owns an Atmasphere now, Ralph. He was complaining of Audio Aero not supporting the amp which prompted his move to your company.

Question: If one were to change the pairs of 6sn7s on the S-30MKII, which order from front to back is the importance?

The front tube is the most important, followed by the middle tube. The rear tube should have a -GTA or -GTB suffix.

Thanks for the clarification and comments, Berto. I agree with you- the MA-1 and Ulysses is a fine match.

Gopher · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 08:08 pm »

I just threw a quad of ratheons into the first few positions and fired it up for half an hour before ducking out of town for the weekend. Very impressive even without adaquate warm up. Can't wait to see how it sounds when I get home Sunday.

Gopher · « **Reply #35 on:** 2 Nov 2010, 04:53 pm »

I've got a suggestion for any future Atma-sphere amp owners out there: Toss the Sovtec 6sn7s! This amp is sounding a thousand times better with the Ratheons George suggested in the first four positions. I'm planning on ditching the last pair of Sovs in favor of a pair of RCAs which are supposed to be excellent in that position. If that brings me even a splash more lushness I'll be in heaven.

This sounds right up my alley:

"RCA 6SN7GTB, rich midrange, warm sound, likes being combined with other 6SN7 types, likes the Atma-Spheres"

zybar · « **Reply #36 on:** 2 Nov 2010, 08:45 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 2 Nov 2010, 04:53 pm

I've got a suggestion for any future Atma-sphere amp owners out there: Toss the Sovtec 6sn7s! This amp is sounding a thousand times better with the Ratheons George suggested in the first four positions. I'm planning on ditching the last pair of Sovs in favor of a pair of RCAs which are supposed to be excellent in that position. If that brings me even a splash more lushness I'll be in heaven.

This sounds right up my alley:

"RCA 6SN7GTB, rich midrange, warm sound, likes being combined with other 6SN7 types, likes the Atma-Spheres"

Glad to hear that it is working out for you.

George

Gopher · « **Reply #37 on:** 4 Nov 2010, 03:58 pm »

Still enjoying the sound a lot, but my noise floor seems to be a little high. I'm not sure if its whats described as tube rush and whether its from the amp or preamp.

I'm going to try swapping in the stock 6sn7s and see if that had anything to do with it--it isn't terrible but I'd rather a silent background and understand the Atma-sphere is supposed to excel in that regard.

TomS · « **Reply #38 on:** 4 Nov 2010, 04:01 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 4 Nov 2010, 03:58 pm

Still enjoying the sound a lot, but my noise floor seems to be a little high. I'm not sure if its whats described as tube rush and whether its from the amp or preamp.

I'm going to try swapping in the stock 6sn7s and see if that had anything to do with it--it isn't terrible but I'd rather a silent background and understand the Atma-sphere is supposed to excel in that regard.

My Atma-Sphere preamp and M60's are dead quiet, even with 95db+ speakers.

Gopher · « **Reply #39 on:** 4 Nov 2010, 04:35 pm »

In my instance, mine are 101db, but thats what I understand should be the case. I'm going to try firing it up without the pre in place to see if its self-noise or what