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Atma-Sphere M60 monoblocks + ML ESL 11 = Inferior combo

Hi guys,

Today I borrowed home a pair of pure OTL-Tube M60 mononblocks to combine with my ML ESL 11s (which base are partially driven by a Class-D amplifer of 275 watts) with very poor results. Unfortunately, although the M60s where only to cater for the diaphragm panels (at least in theory), when combined with the speakers, the soundstage collapsed, vocals felt muffled and absent deep into the sound picture, almost hidden away, and the base went out of control (got larger and louder in a negative way). I also lost details. The Monos are a pair of brand new demos and shined this morning together with a pair of smaller Vivid monitors.

My current SS - a Bryston 4B3 delivers so much better combined with the ML ESL 11s. Someone that can explain what I did just experience? I thought that OTL tubes and High sensitive Martin Logans of todays generation where to be a marriage in heaven.

Kind regards 

 

  

andy_wonderwall
andy_wonderwall's avatar
andy_wonderwall OP
18 posts
 

@atmasphere

Thanks for reaching out. 

First all of. Let me tell you the M60s sounded just fantastic with a pair of Vivid Kaya S12 in my local hifi shop. So intimate, wonderfully vocals. Organic sound. A midrange to die for. Got me intrigued. Maybe the Zeroimpedance could be one way to solve the problem. I know MLs are hard on all Tube designs. People who have been successful on large MLs seem to be those who have invested in some heavy "hybrid-tube" stuff from ARC or VTL (like 250watts and above in strength). How do you think the ma-2 would handle the ESL 11? Zeroimpedance, still to be required?

Kind regards

Andy

 

rsf507
2,468 posts
 

Zero auto transformers may work BUT they also do change the sound. Definitely not as transparent. Yes I've heard them in a system.

bubba12's avatar
bubba12
476 posts
 

Why do people keep trying to jam mismatched components together? If you want ML speakers then you need a big brute solid state amp. Why fight it?

 

audition__audio
1,698 posts
 

As have I. Evidently certain members believe that if they cant hear something it doesnt exist. Problem is that this person gives advice which might be taken by others without due diligence. 

decooney
2,358 posts
 

@andy_wonderwall no worries, and sharing some of the same, probably should have mentioned I run custom made hybrid electrostatic speakers on dual mono tube amps myself. 6ohm, 93db sensitivity would seem easy to drive. Not as much as I hoped with prior attempts using lower power parallel single ended amps in strapped triode mode. Back and forth I went with higher powered tube and revisiting some capable SS amps to find the best match. Your Atma 60 amps and your 4B3 amps are both on my bucket list. I can imagine your 4B3 amp lights those MLs up. When I put a good SS amp on my hybrid ES speakers, it does open a larger door and deeper room into what a capable electrostatic speaker can do.

If I had your Atma 60s I’d be fast on the hunt for a good matching speaker just to be able to truly appreciate and hear those fantastic tube amps. Your 4B3 solid state would be a nice match for my own speakers, and have kept that on my favs list to acquire as a future keeper amp. Lucky challenges to have, you have great taste, happy listening to both :)

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