Atma-Sphere vs Naim ?!
Posted by: Lightkeeper on 13 February 2002
I will apreciate any comment about that.
Ozren
I used to live in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA where Atma-Sphere is made. I was working part time at a hole-in-the-wall high end store that stocked them and I too found them to be MUCH better than the normal US drek. I can fondly remember setting up an Ariadne air bearing T/T with tangential arm, a Sonic Frontiers preamp, Atma-Sphere monoblocks and a pair of Avalon IIs.It was most rewarding.
I believe they are output transformerless devices and rely on the sheer quantity of tubes, in parallel, to get the output impedance to a decently low value (newer design might have changed this).
The only bad experience I had was a short circuit in one monoblock which quite literally caused a 'crawling lightning' effect all around the chassis. Scared the bejeebers out of me!
When all is said and done, it's your ears so have a listen (are they imported into Croatia?). Also, another forum member who *might* have experience with them is DAVOhorn, as he's a tube-aholic.
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn
I am glad to read some words about Atma-Sphere from someone who knows. First of all they are not imported in Croatia and I was listened them in Slovenia. There is just one thing that I want to say...I am not suprised with a little number of replies on my constatation and experience about Atma-Sphere. I understand that AS is not so known company and easy to get also. There is also a much more people who have Naim at home. I am addicted to Naim and yes, I would like to have someday a mountain bike or yacht made by Naim. I agree that Naim give us a more truth than any other manufacturer so we can call it a state of life. But people, if you can, go and listen Atma-Sphere, it is a really serious thing.
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dunn:I was working part time at a hole-in-the-wall high end store...........I can fondly remember setting up an Ariadne air bearing T/T with tangential arm, a Sonic Frontiers preamp, Atma-Sphere monoblocks and a pair of Avalon IIs.
Mark Dunn
That's some serious $$$$ for a hole-in-the-wall place. What store was it? Just curious.
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I want to die in my sleep like my Grandfather, not screaming like the passengers in his car.
I see from your profile you're in Minneapolis. Where abouts? My employer is still based their (University and 27th Ave NE) so I get to visit regularly.
As to your question, it was 'Hi-End Audio' in Hopkins. Proprietor, Mr. Don Kinney. I believe the store is now closed but he stills sells from his home.
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dunn:
I see from your profile you're in Minneapolis. Where abouts?
Minnetonka actually, about 100 feet from the Hopkins border! If you know where Dairy Queen/Dunn Bros. Coffee is on Minnetonka Blvd, you know my area.
I never knew any of that stuff, Avalon, Sonic Frontiers, etc., was just a brisk walk from my front door.
Sorry to bore the rest of you....
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I want to die in my sleep like my Grandfather, not screaming like the passengers in his car.
Yes, I know for Transcendent and there is one more OTL manufacturer that is worth to say, that's Tenor Audio http://www.tenoraudio.com, but is very expensive and ugly too. The sound is no compromise, almost like Atma-Sphere. I was noticed that all of these OTL amps have fantastic soundstage depth which brings completely another dimension of listening, which kick even a best Naim component out of room (I am not happy to know that). I am surprised how is so little number of forum members have ever heard one of them, especially with Sound Lab speakers, because OTL almost always work good with electrostatics.
I must say that I like Naim so much, but I don't understand that so much people here which are here only to try to find some advice for better sound, penalize almost all other manufacturers. In the future, I will upgrade my Naim because I don't have money for Atma-Sphere and don't have a space for Sound Lab. Also, some may say that AS and Naim are two opposite designs, I agree, but that's when you compare on look. If you folks ever hear an AS+Sound Lab combination in your life, you will remember what I say.
In your place, I will also listen Avant Garde speakers or even a Sound Lab.
Many people drive ProAc with Audio Research, remember, don't do that.
Here in Croatia, my friend made speakers like response 1 & 2, but much better, they are single wire and at 1/4 price of original. It is well known thing that Response 2 suffer from few holes in spectrum, my friend speaker don't. I can send you a picture if you want.
I will send it to you tomorrow morning, because I visit this forum from my job and pictures are at my home. Please be patient until tomorrow. See you later,
Ozren