atma sphere ma60mkii and revel studios

Joe,

Audio experience seems to have a way of sneering at absolutes. My experience with the N.E.A.R.'s and ZEROs yielded one of my top 5 audio epiphany moments.

On paper the N.E.A.R. 50Me II speakers appeared to be a fine match, 8 ohm nominal impedance, minimum 6.5 ohms. In fact I purchase these speakers knowing they would be driven by the Atma-Sphere amps and checked into the specifics beforehand.

I would be the first to agree with your last paragraph. Perhaps the reason for the disparity in our experiences has to do with the fact that I never went more than 2X on any of my ZERO configurations, I don't know.

I do know that the ZEROs provided PROFOUND improvement on my N.E.A.R.s which was not the case on my Köchel horns which are rated at a nominal 10 ohm impedance.

What speakers were you and your friends using when evaluating the ZEROs?

Wellfed, you are correct in saying that each invidual will have their own experiences and perspectives. I shouldn't be speaking in absolutes, but I guess I get a nerve pinched, as I often see a lot of people going for Zeroes and felt they were absolutely the wrong choice.

My speakers were Coincidents (8 ohm impedance) and Frieds (8 ohm impedance). His speakers were Infinity IRS V(yes, the biguns'), Audes Blues, and a few other speakers he had around (probably Kappa 8 or 9).

Joe,

I can see where my own experience would dictate a wholehearted recommendation of the ZERO autoformers and where your experience would dictate the opposite.

Ralph Karsten has told me that different speaker cables might have given me some/or all of the benefit I obtained from the ZEROs as well.

Also, if you still have access to a pair of ZEROs I would be interested in hearing if the "alternative" 2X configuration would improve your results.

If ZEROs are available and if you care to try the "alternative" configuration let me know and I will give you details. I personally found the "alternative" 2X much more pleasing than the standard 2X on the mid/upper frequencies.