jond, bigboltz,
I have tried several times to post but each time I’ll get almost done, then I edit (on Audiogon) and I lose the entire post! What a pain! So, I am using Word and the old cut and paste method.
Anyway, I have had several issues, some related to the Atma-Sphere and some not.
First off, as Almarg alluded to several replies back that with using the DEQX preamp settings that were adjusted to the Pass Labs amps output / impedances there would be an imbalance between the main and the subs. He was right and I set about to re-DEQX with the Atma-Spheres. If you have never used a DEQX unit it can be quite laborious to complete the process.
Then, the next day there was no sound from one channel. All the tubes were lit but no sound whatsoever. I re-checked all of my connections and could find no reason. I thought the worse that something failed internally in the M-60. I called Atma-Sphere and Ralph answered the phone. He suggested that I check the main output fuse. I thought, why, all the tubes are lit? But, when I pulled out the fuse it was blown. Replacing it brought back the sound in that channel. A day later while trying to use the M60 with my home theater, again no sound from the other channel, and that was also a blown fuse. Ralph, suggested that it was probably caused by one of the tubes arching since they have been moved around a lot during shipping and some flaking internal in the tube must have occurred. I concur somewhat, but I also did try to play the M60 extremely loud to test its limits.
I had a problem related to my Grand Prix amp stands and with my external crossover boxes. I used a short jumper to connect from the M-60’s to the crossover. When playing music the sound was dull. I thought for sure it was due to the Atma-Spheres. What I found was that the stiff 12 gauge silver/copper wire used as the jumper was actually under the shelf and was supporting the Grand Prix shelf thus preventing the shelf from floating on their own cushy pads.
To add to this, HiFidelity sent me one of their new Reveal XLR interconnects for trial and that has been another variable. Placing this interconnect behind my main component rack near the bottom, underneath other connections, was another real pain! The XLR ends are bulky and the cables are not flexible. As much as others are singing the praises of these interconnects I found them dull and limited in the frequency extremes. So, I tried to DEQX again with these cables and I just couldn’t get the sound right. So, I removed the Reveals to eliminate that variable and went back to re-setting the DEQX.
To make a long story short, my initial thought on the Atma-Sphere M-60’s is that they have real potential. But I notice that I don’t have a real good center image. This could mean they have a wider soundstage and the need for speaker reposition including toe in / out. So, I really do think it is too early to critique much more until I put more time on the M-60’s.
ozzy
