Today I picked up my Atma-Sphere Class D Amps. These aren’t broken in yet. And they are simply amazing. I’ve listen to a lot of High End Class D. Some that cost many times what Atma-Sphere Class D costs. I wasn’t a fan of any of them. But these amps are amazing. I really expected to hate them. So my expectations were low. The Details are of what I’ve never heard from any other amps. They are extremely neutral. To say the realism is is extremely good is a gross understatement. They are so transparent it’s scary. These amps just grab you and suck you into the music. After I live with them some and get them broken in. And do some comparisons to some other high end Amps Solid State, Tubes and Class D’s, also in other systems I’ll do a more comprehensive review. But for now, these are simply amazing amps.. Congrats to Ralph and his team. You guys nailed on these.
Yes to all. When the guys came over. We played several pieces that highlights each of the instrument's that you mention and more. As I mentioned before the Realism and True to the Instruments is incredible. The Amps like my MA-1’s just suck you in and transport you to the concert. I found my self at times walking into the room looking for the band. They don’t have the bloom and soundstage the MA-1’s have. But, they still do very good. Soundstage is deep and wide. Cymbals, Drum taps and kicks, Brushes, Piano, Sax, Guitars all are what they should be. And these are NOT dry and lifeless. Nor bright. But they aren’t sleeping either. Simply put for the money. I’d say best I’ve heard under $10,000. Reguardless of SS, Tube, Highbrid, Class D. The XA.8 and .5 Pass guys that came but loved them. As did the Tube Guys. I was going back and forth buying Pass XA 30.8, XA 60.8 or Atma-Sphere Class D. I am very happy with my decision.
As for Ralph’s class d amps… is the music vivid and engaging? Are the harmonics rich? Do pianos sound right? How about horns? Is there sibilance? Is the soundstage engulfing? How do cymbals sound? How about drum hit?
All Bel Canto made from 2012 on.
A few of the current higher end Peachtree.
Purifi, Crown, NAD, Hegal and 7 others I don’t remember which. All were the top tier of their offerings. Most 2020 and newer. 2021 was a big listening year.
Other Amps I’ve owned or had in my system. Most I have owned and sold off. Only Amp I have kept is the Atma-Sphere MA-1. M-60 and S-30 were great. But why keep them when I have an MA-1.
Pass Labs XA30.8. Xa60.8, X 250.5, McIntosh MC 452, MC462, MC275, MC250, MC225, Atma-Sphere MA-1, M-60, S-30, Quicksilver M60, silver 88, Dynaco St-70, Dynaco SCA-35, NAD forgot which one, Van Alstine, Adcom GFA 565, 545 and 535, Onkyo, Marantz, Pioneer, Coincendence Frankenstein, and another Coincidence, Spectral, Accuphase, Luxman, and various ARC Ref Series and not. A few samples of Rogue Audio also. I am sure there is quite a few I have missed. I’ve been fortunate to own or borrow many many Amps. Some of these Ralph rehabbed for me.
In short the Atma-Sphere Class D amps are simply amazing. In my system I prefer my Fully Optioned MA-1’s over all other amps I’ve owned or had in my system. Although I do really like the Pass XA series as well.
Any plans for a higher power mono amps in the future?
Yes.
3. Amp designers would state their objective… straight wire with gain….low distortion with 2nd harmonic dominant….low distortion with 3rd harmonic dominant …etc….. I think Ralph has said this describes his amp
A 'straight wire with gain' is better described by our tube amps since they don't double power as the load impedance is halved, which is in keeping with how a 'straight wire with gain' would behave :)
Our goal was as low distortion as possible. What distortion we get tends to the the 2nd and 3rd.
thanks ralph....I suspect that this is part of the explanation as to why your amps sound so good.
follow up question regarding a higher powered class d amp...would this be of much benefit to people running speakers with 90db+ sensitivity and listening below 85db?
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