Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The Air Tight ATM-3's are tube mono amps with a switch to allow quick change from Triod to Ultra-Linear. I prefer the Triod, with listed output at 55 watts ( 110 watts Ultra-Linera). The soundstageis huge! Dynamics are exceptional and the balanced sound spectrum is delivered with ease. Bass is solid, and mids and highs are as close to "real" as any amp I have heard ( and I have heard many). Detail is clean but not bright. Components are top notch including Tamura transformer. Included is a tube bais meter to make adjustment easy. A front panel volume adjustment allows amp to be adjusted to source should you wish to skip a preamp and connect a component directly. These amps have very little "signature", but do deliver an exceptional tube sound. Previous owner recommended new tubes every 2000 hours - six EL34EH, 1-12AU7 and 1-12AX7 ( or 2 ECC83 ). Therefore changing these tubes in each amp is no small investment.

A friend who is a proffessional orchestra member said sound is very "real". I highly recommend the ATM-3's.

Included in my system is the ARC Ref-1 preamp, Wadia CD, Fanfare tuner and PH3SE phono stage with Linn Sondek turntable. Speaker connection is Goertz Alpha-Core silver, and Alpha Core copper connectors from pre. Genesis 500 speakers.

Strengths:
Huge soundstage, Exceptional detail but not bright, full spectrum is balanced with solid bass and liquid "real" mids and highs. Meter for bias adjustment makes it easy. Power to drive most speakers

Weaknesses:
Change tubes every 2000 hours. Will expose any weakness in upstream components.

Similar Products Used:
VAC, Levinson

Price Paid:  $10000.00

Summary:
This has to be one of, if not the best amp I've not heard.
Doesn't sound like electronics, just music. An almost perfect presentation of whatever is being played, it is very relaxed yet detailed.

Strengths:
liquid, transparent,ease of presentation, soundstage is huge

Weaknesses:
low bass a bit weak

Similar Products Used:
Audio Research VTM200s, Levinson