Preamp suggestions for Atma-Sphere Class D Monoblocks
As I impatiently await the arrival of my Atma-Sphere class-d monos, I am writing to solicit opinions from experienced members on this site. Balanced inputs and outputs as well as the ability to connect a subwoofer are important. Headphone amp would be nice but not critical. Ditto for built-in phono. These are some of the tube and solid state units I am considering (not necessarily exhaustive):
I will initially use the Bel Canto DAC2.8 as a dac and preamp with an Auralic Aries G1.1 as the streamer. My speakers are Totem Acoustic Forest Signatures, sub is a REL s/510 that I seldom use. I am unsure whether I can use the speaker level connections with the A-S monos (my current Bel Canto Ref510S class d amp has a chassis grounding screw to which I connect the REL’s ground wire).
Philosophically speaking, I have owned a wide range of equipment over the years - everything from "measurements above all" type gear (a full Benchmark stack), a few tube pieces (PrimaLuna, Tavish Design, Rogue), Class A amplification (Pass Labs XA-30.8) and a completely active Genelec 8351b based system. I seem to be slowly but surely gravitating towards subjectively great sounding gear, regardless of how they measure - the Totems are a case in point. However, I don’t want to find that I have moved too far in any one direction. At the end of the day, I value realism and emotional connection more than the ability to deconstruct the music but I don’t want to listen to a sloppy system that homogenizes everything. I’m sure this is all clear as mud! It is however, a reflection of where I am at the end of 28 years of being on this hamster wheel. All thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.
I have a Modwright LS300 fully balanced preamp, with dual balanced outputs, which I'm using with AtmaSphere Class D's. They are a very nice combination, and work well together. That said, my dealer (UniqueHomeAudio) has a used AtmaSphere MP1 for sale that is just back from Ralph after a full top to bottom checkup/refurb. I've owned the MP3 before and heard the MP1 many times. That MP1 would be my choice, as they're hard to find in the used market in that condition. |
Thank you all for your responses so far. @0_holter, thanks for your suggestions - I have come across the Aesthetix in various reviews but have never heard them myself. At a superficial level, their stark modern lines don’t appeal to me - I can be shallow like that ;-) @Soix, the Spatial Audio Raven was unknown to me and it looks very interesting - thanks for sharing that here. I have reached out to them with a couple of questions using their contact page. @tms0425, thank you for sharing recommendations as well - I’m sure the MP-1 is spectacular, but likely outside my budget, even used! I also came across the LTA Microzotl Preamplifier Level 2 in another thread. Any thoughts on that particular piece - in absolute terms and as possible match for the A-S class D?
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Here’s a thread where Don Sachs and Lynn Olson, who designed the Raven preamp, go into detail about some of the development and technical design aspects of the preamp. Need to weed through it to find the various responses but interesting if you’re curious to know more. I have to say that given all the cumulative wisdom/effort and that went into it, $5495 seems like quite a relative bargain to me. |
