Atma-Sphere vs. Supratek

I will just say neat and tidy looks neat and tidy. However routing for neatness and routing for best sound are sometimes two different things. I don't have a dog in this fight I did have an original Syrah back in the early 2000s. I was unimpressed but no doubt Mick's designs have evolved and improved since then.

I agree the internals of that supratek look like a high school science experiment and certainly not something I would let out the door of my workshop. I have seen the internals of two others which are better, but still not what I would call awe inspiring.

However the desigsns are sound, and the sonics definitely in the uper tier. Ironically the exterior finish is excellent. You pays your money and makes your choice.

Many thanks for all your comments, which were very enlightening indeed. I too had a shiver running down my spine when I saw the innards of the Cortese for the first time. But the many enthusiastic comments about the sound of these creations by "Supratekkies" mostly from Down-Under, made me taking the plunge. I am sure, however, that I can still cancel my order, as it was only placed in November. I followed most of the links you supplied about the Atma-Sphere and "listened" to the descriptions. For me, a big plus is the all-XLR design, as both, my DAC and my Amps use balanced-only. 

Now last night, two new listings on USAudiomart came to my attention, namely for the LAMM LL2.1 DELUXE Preamplifier and its corresponding phono stage, the LP2 deluxe, both at a reasonable asking price compared to new.These are rarely offered on the used market  (always a good sign), and I read great things about the Lamm designs and how they "sound" (they apparently have no sound signature of their own), and now I am afraid I am going down the well-known rabbit hole. Just to give you an idea, how this "no sound of its own" statement appeals to me: last October I almost bought the PASS XP25 phono preamp; the seller was kind enough, however, to send it to me for trial. I had only heard great things about this instrument, and I do know Nelson Pass personally. But here it comes: I did not like it a bit. The sound coming out of my LX521 speakers was bombastic, no matter how I fine-tuned the many parameters, and - even more disturbing - the sound stage appeared in front of my speakers, defeating the purpose of spatial stacking that open-baffle designs offer (the LX521.4 create a true "phantom-image" deep into my living room, especially on solo piano). I listened to that unit for two weeks almost every day, trying all possible setting permutations (a great forte of the XP25!): I really WANTED to like it, and then I sent it back! MY verdict: it's super for Credence Clearwater, but not for Callas.

Hence my asking for help once more: of these three options, which one would you pick, if possible out of your own listening experience? And yes, the Lamms are single ended, I know.

“I had only heard great things about this (Pass) instrument, and I do know Nelson Pass personally. But here it comes: I did not like it a bit. ”
@reimarc,

For above reason alone, allow me to reiterate @david_ten solid advise, audition in your system and choose!

I have not heard any system with an Atma-Sphere preamp in it. It's bound to be a great unit, the amps are justifiably famous. 

What I immediately noticed comparing the Suprtek and Atma-Sphere is that there are two completely different design philosophies at work. I can't imagine that they'll sound similar. Mick certainly has opinions on what makes for a good tube preamp

The stupid posting system won't allow me to post just a link but click on the picture to go to his blog.  I think you'd have to put each into your system and listen.

I think along the same lines as Mick so I ordered a Cabernet from him and I've been very happy.