Air Tight ATM2 Direct Driven by CDP?

Garret,
No, by the time I got the Herron I had traded the ATM-1 for a pair of Cary CAD 300B Signature monos. That was a great combo, the Herron was easily one of the best and quietest preamps I've ever heard, ss or tube! I'd still have it but I wanted an all Deja Vu Audio system, the best in the planet!

I have owned the ATM-2 and ATM-3 monos. The ATM-2 continues to be one of my favorite amps. I did try running the CDP ( Wadia ) directly into the ATM-2. While it worked fine, I did prefer the preamp, which at that time was the First Sound Deluxe. The dynamics and soundstage were improved with the preamp.

Noble110,

I notice on other threads you've had experience with various preamps and the ATM-2. I'm now considering going this route, looking at Air Tight ATC-3, Herron VTSP-1, Modwright SWL 9.0SE, Acoustic Masterpiece C101, and EAR 834L. Any opinions? Other suggestions? Anyone?

Garrett

I've had a lot of success using an Air Tight ATC-1 Pre with my ATM-2. Great MM phono stage. Not the most transparent pre in the world, it tends to sweeten things a bit. But overall very pleased with it.

Thanks. This is very good to know. I've seen ATC-3 Pres out there, but no ATC-1 pres yet. I'm now using the ATM-2 with a Thor TA-1000 Mk 2, which is fairly transparent, I think. It passes along every tube change in the Air Tight and can sound analytic sometimes, especially with 6550 power tubes and all Telefunken triodes in the power amp. I find I myself need to "sweeten" the sound with Mullards in the Air Tight input stage and in the Thor's 12AX7 positions. So, your ATC-1 Pre must contribute what's needed perhaps. However, all my listening is from a digital source--a Cary 303/300.