Clean, Open, Musically Accurate, probably The Best Amplification Available.

They run very hot

I am fortunate to have been exposed to some incredible amplifiers. These monoblocks, in my opinion, provide the most musically accurate sound amplification available. Period.

On a pair of full-range electrostats, these 140 watt "rated" monoblocks will out-perform 1000 watt rated solid state amplifiers! So powerful is the bass, that on some recordings, the staters on my Sound Labs actually rattled - something I have never encountered before!

I am also fortunate to have the highly-rated solid state Pass Labs X-600 monoblocks. In comparison, the MA-1's have just slightly better detail and better bass, while the Pass Lab amps run much cooler but are heavier. The MA-1's bass is even better than Krell, which are also excellent amplifiers. The MA-1's sleek, industrial design and meter is consistant with the handsome Pass Labs X-series amps. However, there is no "cool" blue light - sorry!

In any case, the sound these amps produce is almost frighteningly real - clean, open, "air", wide soundstage, unbelievable detail - it's all there and then some. And, don't let "tube terrors" get the most of you; there is no "warmth" or other tube-related anomalies - just clean, accurate musical amplification.

From a technical standpoint, consider this: There is NO output transformer, NO overall feedback (read: stable!), class A design, no expensive or rare or matched output tubes required, simple and reliable design, no biasing every output tube (one bias for the entire output), are relatively light (about 40 lbs), are relatively speaker load independent, and they run quiet. They do run hot (class A), so you may need alternate cooling for small audio rooms. The Atma-Sphere factory service is also outstanding, as is the build quality.

The MA-1 sounds great on a variety of speakers, but you really have to hear them on full-range electrostats. There is a saying that "you can have your cake and eat it". With this combination, you get the "whole cake factory!"

Even if you don't plan to buy, make sure you listen to these remarkable amps from Atma-Sphere.

Other components: Pass Labs X-600 solid state amps, Krell MD-2 CD transport, Meridian 563 DAC, Sonic Frontiers Line 1 preamp, PAD Collossus speaker cables, Sound Lab Aura speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Krell KSA-300S, Pass Labs X-600

unsurpassed speaker control / incredibly open/detailed sound

none

A friend of mine ownes the ma2 amplifier which was my intro to Atmasphere electronics. I almost immediately sold my other amps to make the purchase of the Ma1-mk2 less painful.
There may not be anything out there that controls a speaker the way these amps do, and with openness and detail that must be heard to be appreciated. I use Sound Lab electrostats that like a lot of current, and these amps deliver the goods. These amps have also been used on Green Mountain audio "Imago" speakers, with phenomenal results.I understand why Atmasphere amps are seldom replaced.
Buy them.

Similar Products Used:

years of tube & solid state