Atma-Sphere Class D… Amazing
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.
@mikepowellaudio, are you not an AGD dealer? Assuming so, maybe you should at least drop that disclaimer in your post before you enter a competitor's thread and dump on the product. I'm also not getting the point of your not so subtle jab 'If a "bargain" is what you are after, then maybe Ralphs are better for your pocketbook.' when his Monos sell for approx the same as the AGD Tempo STEREO Power Amp. I do agree with your ".02c" part though :) |
Waiting for a pair of A-S Class D’s to arrive and very excited. Any suggestions on preamps? Ideally an analog preamp with dac or an integrated solution combining analog, Roon Ready streamer and dac. Please don’t recommend the Eversolo A-8 :) I currently have an Auralic Aries G1.1 streamer (no dac), Bel Canto DAC2.8 dac/pre and Ref501S. I look forward to evaluating whether the A-S are a significant step up and how much. Running Totem Forest Signature speakers. |
The only parameter that can make a GaNFET more suitable for audio is a low output capacitance. Other than that there's no way to optimize a GANFET for audio. GaNFETs are designed for high power switching applications. While that might include a SMPS or battery charger, in such applications the cost of the output switching devices can play a pretty big role in the device used. So a battery charger is far more likely to use a MOSFET instead owing to an order of magnitude lower cost. GaNFETs are more likely to be motion control or other high power application (such as class D operation) where precision high efficiency/low noise switching is important. Anecdote department only: we have more than just 3 customers that have compared the AGD to our amps and the result was the other way 'round (one of them commented above). In the end anyone will still have to try it out and see. @srama I recommend a balanced preamp if you can. That's what we use here in the shop and what I use at home. |
@atmasphere, thank you. My current Bel Canto is a balanced preamp/dac. I’m just hoping to lose one more box by way of the Auralic streamer, since I’m replacing a single stereo amp with two of your monos. Real estate being a premium and all that. I am considering a Bryston BR-20 but balking at the cost a little bit. I also want to add that one of the main reasons I decided to try out your offering is because of your openness, clarity and obvious expertise on this and various other forums. I have never seen a manufacturer engage in quite so refreshing a manner with seemingly limitless patience and without a trace of defensiveness. I decided to buy a new pair from an authorized dealer as a mark of appreciation, even though there is a used pair for sale currently on another website. I have been a member at AudioGon since 1999 or thereabouts and it has been years since I have engaged in these forums - you inspired me to break a long silence. I hope to share my impressions once I familiarize myself with the monos.
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