Atmasphere amps trustable?


Tube world, a big world, then I came acorss the Atmasphere on the net, looks different from those common tube stuff... kinda weird, the M-60 uses 8x 6AS7G output tube and 4x 6SN7 driver tube per channel, where're the rectifier tubes? Plus they're so-called OTL, sounds even more weird.
128x128mtoc
I believe that any amp if pissed off by cat can get angry and eat that little bastard!


"Mommywahwah": That type of response to the OP is utterly uncalled for. The OP simply wanted to have a discussion about this brand of OTL and become informed via help and support from our community. If you’re not able to participate in a civil manner and help be supportive, you are antithetical to the existence, and interest, in this hobby/pastime/enjoyment/entertainment endeavor. If you think that’s your charter and mission, then stay away.

Keep your poison and your anger to yourself and get off your high horse. If you have something positive to say, then say it, otherwise keep it to yourself. That’s not why we’re here and not what is helpful and supportive in growing interest in the enjoyment of audio gear and music listening.
If by "weird" what the OP means is different, then I would say that’s a fair assessment in that my understanding is the high output impedance of an OTL amp (with no negative feedback employed either by design in the case of Atmasphere amps as I understand it) means one is best advised to match speakers with it that also have higher impedance ratings than many, 8OHMs nominal impedance or higher.

Ralph Karsten who is Atmasphere is very knowledgeable and posts here regularly as many here know. He talks about a different "paradigm" than the norm that his products fit into which is an accurate assessment IMHO.

Also worth noting I’ve heard the Atmasphere amps set up well with appropriate nicely matched gear at shows and the sound quality is always top tier. Also that the company and products have been around for awhile and seem to have a quite sterling reputation which bodes well in regards to the "trust’ factor.




mtoc, Ralph Karsten posts here and there are many discussions about his amps which he participates in. Just type Atmasphere into the search function.

Ralph’s amps are highly regarded by many. Power tubes can blow though, and I don’t know how well protected Ralph’s amps are if this happens or what kind of warranty Ralph offers. I’m sure Ralph would be happy to discuss it with you if you gave him a call.

stevecham,
the OP’s post is derogatory, clearly he’s not done any research on this matter, doesn’t know that Atma-sphere is most helpful in these forums & that his amps are in production for the last 40 yrs, are very reliable & yet we should pander to such a troll post? You take the cake Stevecham. Keep doing this & Audiogon will not be a place to hang out anymore. Your sort of response will only encourage others to create similar posts....
Yes, I could have written it better but my frustration lay in the fact that the obvious research was not done by the OP. He just damned the Atma-sphere brand without seemingly knowing anything about it.
I believe that what he needs to be told is to search the archives & learn about OTLs & then have a more intelligent discussion with the forum.
Plus, this topic (of Atma-sphere amp reliability) has been discussed here many times. here’s just one such thread:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/thought-on-otl-tube-amps/post?highlight=atma%2Bsphere%2Bamp%2Breliability&postid=825877#825877

the least he could have done was to read-up before casting doubt on a brand. I believe it’s a troll post...