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Anyone Here Have Atma-Sphere Amps?

I find these amps very intriguing and was wondering what people with real experience think. I have read all the reviews
which are generally excellent except for some reason Stereophile has not reviewed them as far as I can tell.
The main question I have is how often if ever do you blow a tube and how long are your tubes lasting. Do you have any quibbles. I would love to find an MA 3 owner as that is one ballsy amplifier. There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to power amps.
128x128mijostyn
gdnrbob
4,459 posts
 
I own the MA-1's and MP-3, both are great pieces of equipment.
Also, Ralph Karsten is one of the best manufacturers in the business. There is another discussion regarding Atmasphere and Ralph here on Audiogon.
As far as tubes go, I haven't had any issues with my amp for almost 3 years. (Though the preamp needed a new tube recently). The nice thing is that I can call Atma and get someone to help troubleshoot.
Bob 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn OP
8,570 posts
 
Thank you Bob. Yes, I am talking to Mr Karsten and he is very helpful and enthusiastic. I love the workmanship and point to point wiring. Internally they are works of art. He told me it takes three months to wire a set of MA 3s
pstores's avatar
pstores
190 posts
 
I have the MA-1 silvers and M60’s as well as a hot rodded UV-1. And can say Bob  is spot on.... Never had an issue with the tubes. Also he customer support is one of the absolute best in the industry. His amps and preamps are truly magnificent in my humble opinion. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn OP
8,570 posts
 
Thanx pstores. It certainly seems hard to find someone with a negative comment. I have not had a tube amp since my Stereo 70 days. Plenty of tube preamps including the first Conrad Johnson which I tore out of its chassis mounted it in a new box minus most of the switches, wired it with silver wire and added a Sowter MC transfomer internally. No boredom in my life. It was ugly as hell. 
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
I looked at a Atma-Sphere amp a few years ago. What I do remember was it looked of very good build quality and was red in color. What I don't remember, was it an integrated or a power amp? What was it's output? And lastly, what was its retail price? Could someone help my failing memory?  ;-)
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