2. amps-preamps
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Just purchased a pair of Atma Sphere M-60 Mk 3's upgraded to 3.3's

Hello all, I feel I’m a novice when it comes to audiophile setups. Been spending the past 10 plus years buying and selling trying to get to the top in regards to hearing what I want to hear, you know, what sounds just right!

I feel like I’m satisfied in regards to the turntable setup, got me a Thorens TD 124 Mk I that I’m in the middle of high end mods.

My current amp and pre are the McCormack DNA 1 Gold upgraded and ALD 1 with a Micro line drive phono pre. I’ve had many variable speakers flying in and out of here that I can’t remember them all. The set I’m planning on keeping will be the Klipsch La Scala’s that have the preferred type AA crossovers and vintage K55V mid horns and K77 tweeters, both metal horn variety. I’m also in the process of making new custom cabinets, something exotic.

I also have a Crown 724 R2R for my tapes and an Oppo 193 modded DVD player for CD’s.

As great as the McCormack is, I happen to come across an opportunity to pickup a set of Atma Sphere M-60’s. Having a quick demo at the persons house I was blown away by the smooth soul pouring out of her speakers. They were her late husband’s and she wanted something simple to use and was moving these onto someone who would appreciate them.

Long story short I grabbed them but now I need to ask, will the McCormack ALD 1 do the system justice or should I get a Tube Pre to match the M-60’s and if so what? My budget right now can’t afford a MA-3 like I hope for, something in the $1K range until I can move the other stuff out.

Your suggestions are much appreciated and thank you for taking the time to read all of this!
kjack48230
tweak1
3,680 posts
 
First, if your system is not true balanced now is the time. AFAIK Atmosphere kit are all true XLR (differentially balanced from input to output). I can highly recommend WireWorld Eclipse XLR series 7 for a bargain, as WW recently introduced series 8

Owning an Oppo 105 for it’s ability to play SACD/DVD-A into which I installed an aftermarket Linear Power Module and incoming wire harness to pure silver + furutech Rhodium IEC, I also had a Pioneer PD 65 (Stable platter) that was moded including an outboard PS for redbook. After many years, the laser gave out: an extensive search including Pioneer, laser no longer made, so I used the 105 for redbook as well while I went on a transport hunt, using the 105 as a transport with WireWorld Coax to my dac/pre for redbook. The Oppos are a ’jack of all trades, but a master of none, especially for redbook

My budget was in the $500 range, which doesn’t buy much in hi-end, BUT, I discovered the Marantz HD CD 1 (CD player) with the appropriate digital outs. It is a quantum leap from using the 105 as a transport

Long story short, consider starting there

hth
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Tweak, I think you are on the wrong thread.
kjack, everyone here has it pretty much right. Hold your tater (southern slang) or take a deep breath. Do not waste money on substandard equipment. Those are great amps for those speakers. You certainly lucked out on that deal. Wait until you can afford the right preamp. The Atma-sphere is fine. You might also consider watching for the right ARC to come up used. The fellow that passed on, what was he using. Had the wife already sold it?
tweak1
3,680 posts
 
mijos

WTF? He's using a Oppo as I was for redbook. There are much better transports/players than Oppo at quite a bit less

Now please enlighten me/us, cuz (southern slang), HOW you KNOW the Marantz HD CD 1 is substandard. I do understand that much of the Marantz line is mid-fi, but the HD CD 1 ain't, ya hear (more southern slang)
kjack48230 OP
5 posts
 
Hey Mijostyn, he didn't have one. He had a CD player that had a built-in preamp and that was all he used to play music. Can't wait to see how albums sounds through this. I did get this at a good price.
phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
326 posts
 
Good Choice in my honest opinion, Once you go down the Atma-Sphere route and have the right speakers to play on. Nothing else really compares. The Key is to get the right speakers for the OTL Amps.

Enjoy the music, as from this point onwards you would not be thinking much about upgrading unless you want bigger OTLs
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