2. amps-preamps
  3. 1278212594

Cary 805s or Atma Sphere M60s?

Currently have a pair of 805s with an SLP-05 preamp, and 91db Vienna Acoustic speakers with silk tweeters coupled with anti-cable autoformers (all SET amps should have these autoformers-do yourself a favor and try them out). Thinking about an OTL amp. Are they everything they're cracked up to be, or what about push-pull amps? I'm just like you guys I love tube sound, dynamics, soundstage, richness, air, and detail. Is one configuration outstanding above another? I want to hear your thoughts and experience.

Eric.
erfranke
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Can you audition any of the Amps in question?
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Agree with Mechans on autoformers, to some extent it defeats of the purpose of OTL, though they we still be excellent amps, but not the same with as without.
erfranke OP
24 posts
 
Thank you for your responses I can audition the amps at the sales location, but not in my listening room, where typically components sound better. Autoformers are not "transformers" in the denotative sense; you can read up on them at the "anti-cables" website. Anyway, the OTL design seems to make better sense in theory. As silly as it sounds, it's going to be hard to beat the sound of those Carys. Of course I once thought of that with my first tube amps; Golden Tube Audio SE-40 monoblocks back in the 80's!
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Erfranke I remember those amps as well;they made a big hit when they arrived on the audio scene;its to bad you can't bring the amps to your house for a real audition.It might be worth talking with Ralph from Atmasphere directly to get his point of view;he is a straight shooter and won't jam his gear down your throat to make a sale.I had cary slam 100's once and they were a fantastic amp but I think with ralph's amp and if your speaker will match the result will be unbeatable in my opinion.
honest1
586 posts
 
Eric- Did you ever get to make the comparison? I own AtmaSphere MA1s and remember hearing Cary 805s at CES in 2006 and thinking they sounded fantastic (in the Cary room, with all Cary stuff, including speakers (single driver horns, maybe, not sure)). There was a definite magic there, but not sure if it was due to SET amps or single driver speakers, or what. If I were rich, I'd buy a pair of 805s and have both just for fun.
More to discover