Which one to choose between two 80K$ tube amps?

@shkong78

Just to be clear, the Berning is not an OTL. 'OTL' is an acronym for 'Output TransfomerLess'; thus refers to an amplifier with neither output transformers or solid state devices in the output section and the Berning has both (see the patent). It is however a brilliant amplifier (David is one of the top designers in high end audio IMO), and IMO its a no-brainer over the Jadis if you have speakers efficient enough as it sounds like you do.

Now you might want to try a real OTL; This is the kind of tube amplifier that employs only tubes with no output transformer or semiconductors in order to drive the loudspeaker. Traditionally for the last 60 years OTLs have been the most transparent amplifiers made. They also work great on high efficiency loudspeakers (my speakers at home are 98dB).


Rick had David design that amplifier specifically so Rick could market it exclusively (I've known Rick since way back when he was a salesman for 3M here in town). Its one of the better tube amps money can buy, but it has competition that is a lot less expensive- with your budget cheap enough you could afford both. IIRC the Berning amp also uses a specialty Elrog power tube that Rick is having made just for him. High end audio is all about intention rather than price :)

@atmasphere 

Ralph,  you are always too much of a gentleman to recommend your own products.  I personally have seen Ralph give very honest opinions of how other products compare to his own. From what I know, the Atma-sphere amps are direct coupled and OTL. 
So I'll ask,  Ralph,  which of your Atma-sphere amps would you recommend to compete with the Berning at this level and what would be MSRP on that amp.  
Hopefully,  no one will mind me asking this info.... I have no hat in this ring and will gain nothing from it. 

ebm6,290 posts06-08-2020 8:54amStereo 5 Skifi is a nasty overpriced business with a nasty attitude nobody should buy anything from them.Good luck!!

This is worrisome i will be up all night thinking about this.  

Your question is interesting, but if your dealer does not bring both amps to your house and set them up for you for an extended listening period, I would shop elsewhere where that can happen.

In the end, the price is irrelevant; which one do YOU like in YOUR room is the only question you have to answer. Oh, don't forget longevity of the company and availability of parts and service; EVERYTHING breaks eventually.

An amp is simply a group of electrical parts that have a fixed price; anything else you pay is for R&D, marketing, and, unfortunately, hype.

There are only a few basic designs for audio amps; some people mess with them, etc.  I spoke to Bill Johnson at length back in the 1970's when I was one of his few dealers, and he explained that the basics of these amps are well known and have changed little over time other than through designers (like some of the ones mentioned above) tweaking something here or there.  For example, Levinson used to brag to me that he used "MIL-SPEC" parts.  His amps did not sound very good back then; I have no idea what Harmon makes now under his name.  He went through a few designers--one died, I think--and then the company was trashed and the name was purchased.  Whatever.

Mr. Johnson died, and there are new people designing things there now.  I assume some are better than others, as in any line of products that have different price points.

The point is, whatever you pay is irrelevant; get the parts YOU LIKE BEST and ENJOY THE MUSIC.  After all, building a $200,000 kitchen so you can show it off to your friends when everyone knows you eat out every meal is no different to me than buying a $200,000 stereo so you can say you have one.

It used to be about the music, right?

Cheers!

which of your Atma-sphere amps would you recommend to compete with the Berning at this level and what would be MSRP on that amp.  

@t

By your request, The M-60, base price is about 7700/pair, but I would have them fully optioned at which point they are about 10,400/pair.