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03/15/10
Axpona show comments
from EnjoytheMusic.com
02/25/10
The Absolute Sound had this to say about our room at THE Show:
" The Tri-Planar MK VII, another top-flight arm with orecision and repeatable
adjustability, mounted on a Kuzma Stabi Reference was making awesome sounds coupled with
Atma-Sphere electronics (MkIII.1 versions of the MP-1 and M-60s) and Classic Audio
Reproductions speakers. This system was the best I heard at conveying the weight and
dynamic range of live music."
-Jim Hannon
"The much-decorated Atma-Sphere M-60 OTL amplifier and MP-1 preamp are now available in Mark
3.1 iterations. This combo, partnered by a modified Esoteric DV50 player, was driving
the Classic Audio Reproductions T1.3 speakers. At 100+ db sensitivity, the T1.3 doesn't
require much power. This system closed out the Show for me with awesome, effortless
dynamics. I just wish I could have bottled some of this sound for the trip home."
-Dick Olsher
11/20/09
After a wonderful show at the Rocky Mountain AudioFest (in our opinion the coolest audio
show on Earth), we are now setting our sights on
T.H.E. Show in Las Vegas, concurrent with CES 2010. We will be showing with Classic Audio Loudspeakers
and Triplanar. We will also have rooms with VMPS Audio as well as Sound Lab. Come see us
and the rest of T.H.E. Show!
08/14/09
We are pleased to announce that the Mk3.1 lineup is now ready! The original MkIII product
line was begun in late 2004. During that time there have been a number of revisions as we
have continued to find ways to improve performance and otherwise refine our products. At
this time there have been so many revisions that we are now at the Mk3.1 level. In the
amplifiers, this represents an new iteration of our traditional voltage amplifier circuit.
The new circuit is lower distortion (which means that it is smoother sounding while at the
same time more transparent and more detailed), enough so that at full power distortion has
been reduced by 90%!
There have been other revisions as well- the M-60 now has a more robust chassis. The MA-2
now has a revised appearance more in keeping with the other amps in the line. It is also
lower noise! The S-30 is now available in two versions- the regular type and a low-gain
version designed especially for high efficiency loudspeakers where excess gain is always an
issue.
As always, the circuit revisions are available to older equipment, with full warranty
renewal. See our Updates page for more information.
08/01/09
We will be showing at Rocky Mountain AudioFest in the Lupine Room with Classic Audio
Loudspeakers and Triplanar. RMAF is the most important and most fun audio show in the US
right now. We hope to see you there!
01/15/09
T.H.E. Show was one of the best in years, despite low attendance at CES. T.H.E. Show was
at the Alexis Park, the home of CES' high-end show in previous years. We showed off a new
cosmetic look in our amps- gold anodized front panels for S-30, M-60 and MA-1. The panel
is available at no extra charge. Classic Audio Loudspeakers demoed the T-3 with field-coil
drivers for the first time in Las Vegas and they continued to astound everyone with their
fast, relaxed and detailed presentation.
Our condolances to Marjorie Baumert of RMAF, whose husband Al passed away recently. The RMAF
show will continue according to Marjorie.
Next- Audiokarma, Detroit, MI, in May.
10/15/08
The Rocky Mountain AudioFest went well, thanks again to the supurb support by Al and
Marjorie! We got a nice mention on one of the 4 rooms we had at the show, we demo'd the remote
control for the MP-1, and played a lot of tunes. The new field-coil-powered Classic Audio
Loudspeakers were amazing; Duke of Audiokinesis demonstrated a brilliant new speaker (detailed, extended and relaxed), and Thom Makris demonstrated his new turntable. Overall it was a lot
of fun- the best high end audio show in the US!
Next- on to T.H.E. Show in Las Vegas, January 2009.
10/02/08
The remote volume control system for the MP-1 will be demoed at the Rocky Mountain
Audiofest. Any MP-1 built in the last 11 years can be fitted with the option, which retails for
$950.00. Earlier preamps (built before 1997) will need to be updated before the remote feature
can be installed.
09/09/08
'...a must-hear for the purist music lover." -TAS #185, regarding the MP-3 preamplifier.
the M-60 Mk.III:"...a rare and exhilarating glimpse into the music few others can duplicate"
-TAS #185
08/10/08
We will be showing at the Rocky Mountain
Audiofest in Denver, with Audiokinesis and Magnan
cables in one room, and on the main floor in the Alpine Room, with Classic Audio
Reproductions, Purist Audio and Triplanar. This is the most fun show of the year
(and one of the biggest), don't miss it!
08/07/08
New Review: "Most important is the M-60's ability to bring you closer to the music.... A
dozen or so years ago I didn't think an OTL amplifier would ever be for me, until a friend
talked me into listening to one. Now I'm hooked." -Sue Kraft, The Absolute Sound #184,
September 2008
07/01/08
Price increases are expected at the first of September! The MP-3 got a revised circuit
board with improved power transformers and we kept it at introductory pricing for the first 3
months. The Retail with phono goes to $5150.00; the line stage will be $4550.00. The M-60 MkIII will be going to $6490.00/pair and the S-30 will be $3750.00.
02/05/08
V-Caps are now standard on the MA-1 MkIII!!
01/14/08
We had the best sound at T.H.E. Show we've ever had at any trade show ever! We
had a demo of our new remote volume control system for the MP-1. It was the first time the
new M-60 MkIII and the MP-1 MkIII had been seen at T.H.E. Show/CES. Classic Audio
Reproductions demo'd a prototype of their new field-coil powered
beryllium-dome compression
midrange driver. It was remarkably fast, relaxed and transparent! We got a lot of
nice comments about the sound throughout the show and the room was very busy.
We showed with
a Transfiguration Orpheus on the Tri-Planar tonearm, mounted on the RPM 2 turntable. The
balanced signal went to the MP-1 MkIII, driving the M-60 MkIII which
played the 16 ohm Classic Audio Reproduction T-1.3 speaker. We used
Silent Running Audio amp stands and the
Teac/Esoteric CD player for the digital front end.
A price increase on the MA-1 MkIII is scheduled for February 1st.
01/02/08
Soundstage has awarded the MA-2 Mk.III the Edge
of the Art Award!!
10/23/07
The MP-1
MkIII has a nice review on
Soundstage.com ! Its a good review when the reviewer buys the
product... From Marc Mickelson, senior editor of Soundstage.com:
"Another Reviewers' Choice
nod for the MP-1 Mk III. I know this is old
hat to you, but it's rare for the other companies' whose products we review."
10/23/07
The Rocky Mountain
Audiofest, was in Denver, October 12th-14th, and it was awesome! Our main room, on
the first floor, was with Classic
Audio Reproductions, Purist Audio
Design and Triplanar.
Our other room was showing with Audiokinesis, who makes easy to drive loudspeakers, notably the
Stormbringer and the Jazz Module, and a new speaker introduced at the show. Duke, of
Audiokinesis, has been building speakers for decades and his speakers represent a bargain; packed with excellent performance for a great
price. The RMAF has established itself as the primier high-end audio two channel show in the
US. This year's show was well over double the size of past Stereophile shows.
09/02/07
We will be showing at T.H.E. Show on
January 7th - 12th, 2008 as
opposed to CES. We will be in room 1302 at the San Tropez. We will be showing the
new MP-1 MkIII and the newly-redesigned M-60 MkIII. T.H.E. Show has expanded its
venue this year, having taken over the Alexis Park, which was abandonded by CES last year.
CES proved to be a logistical nightmare in 2007, with long lines to get on the elevators
and a very long walk through the immense Venetian casino. T.H.E. Show has everything conveniently
set up within easy walking distance, no elevator lines and a free lunch outdoors to
boot. Its a relaxed atmosphere, with a good portion of the audio community attending.
In 2008 T.H.E. Show is not to be missed!
07/19/07
The MP-1 Mk.III sets Atma-Sphere history
Since the introduction of the MP-1 MkIII last January, it instantly become our
best-selling product. We've decided that after 7 months, this is not a
flash in the pan... The high end audio community seems to be understanding that balanced line
operation offers some real advanatges to the audiophile, and that the MP-1 MkIII is at
the forefront in balanced line preamps. The new MP-1 MkIII demonstrates that tubes can truly
be quiet in low output moving coil phono sections (good to 0.15mV without a stepup device), and also
operates effectively as a first-rate headphone power amplifier.
04/16/07
The MA-2
MkIII has gotten a followup review on Soundstage.com
, and has
also been nominated for Reviewer's Choice! In all our reviews with
Soundstage! we've been nominated every time; 'That's unprecedented. Congratulations.' -Marc
Mickelson, senior editor. The reviewer then purchased the nest larger amplifier from us, the
MA-1 MkIII.
"...among the best portrayers of the musicians'
physical presence. As you may be able to guess, they don't accomplish
this through tubey bloom or warmth, but rather via an unforced
resolution that is the earmark of the highest of high-end audio.
"
03/01/07
The S-30
MkIII has gotten a nice review on Soundstage.com, and has
been nominated for Reviewer's Choice! In this review the S-30 MkIII was
reviewed very much
in the context and world of Single Ended Triode amplifiers, which is the target market for
this amplifier (although it has a bit more power than the average SET). Vade Forrester then went ahead and purchased his
review sample! says he:
"Dynamics, soundstaging, frequency extension, timbral accuracy,
vocal nuance and expression -- it has it all."
01/17/07
T.H.E. Show went rather well. A number of people including reviewers commented that
we had the best sound they had ever heard in our room. Jonathon Valin of TAS gave us
Best Sound at Show! We showed the Classic Audio
Reproductions T-1.3 16 ohm full range speakers, which were powered by the new MA-1 Mk. III. The front end was our
MP-3 preamp with the Triplanar
tonearm running on the Kuzma Reference turntable. Of course we will be back for 2008!
01/02/07
We will be showing at T.H.E. Show this year as
opposed to CES. We will be in room 1302 at the San Tropez. We will be showing the
new MA-1 MkIII, all new for 2007.
10/26/06
The Rocky Mountian Audiofest went quite well. We were running the Stormbringer
loudspeaker made by Audiokinesis and the Triplanar
tonearm. We got a lot of complements, and the show was really fun! We'll be back next year, and a BIG THANKS to Al Stiefel &
Marjorie Baumert who made the show possible.
8/17/06
We have approved several sources for 6AS7G output tubes from China! It turns out that the 6AS7G has been in constant production
in China for the last 4 decades. The tube performs every bit as well as the Russian 6AS7Gs and is also just as robust. They
perform so similarly that they can be mixed with Russian tubes on the same amp chassis with no audible or measureable
difference. Production is on-going and there are substantial NOS quatities available too.
8/1/06
EnjoytheMusic.com has a new review on the MP-3, by Wayne Donnelly, on the Superior Audio portion of
their website.
6/2/06 The M-60
Mk.III now has a spectacular review on Soundstage.com! We don't think we could have written a better
review
ourselves; Tim A. is a much better writer than anyone we have on staff :) After the review, Tim purchased a set of MA-1 Mk.IIIs,
based on how the M-60s performed in his system. He comments:
"As close to a straight wire with gain as my system has
known."
4/2/06
V-Cap Teflon coupling caps are now standard on the MA-3
and MA-2, and are an option on all our other models!
Contact us for details!
1/20/06
This year at T.H.E. Show (concurrent with CES), we had the best sound we've ever had at
a show, and launched our new Mark III series, after a 9-year run of the Mark IIs.
Roger Gordon of Positive Feedback Magazine says:
Atma-Sphere / Classic Audio Reproductions / Tri-Planar
'- The Atma-Sphere room is always a must visit. Lots of good music, though of a different kind. My Therion Secret of the
Runes LP, which usually drives people from the room, was well received as was my Rammstein Mutter LP on my last visit. The
equipment in the room was Atma-Sphere MP-3 preamplifier and S-30 Mk III OTL amplifier, the Classic Audio
Reproductions T-3 loudspeakers, and a Tri-planar tonearm with Grasshopper 3 Gold cartridge on a Kuzma Reference turntable. This room
was always full of people having a good time. They must be doing something right.'
Positive Feedback Online
11/01/05
The Rocky Mountain Audiofest was a good time.
We introduced the MP-1 MkIII, the S-30 MkIII, got a
lot of nice comment on the room, and heard some cool tunes. See you there next year!
Our new Mark III series is more transparent, smoother, easier on tubes and easier
to use. The improvements that make this possible are available as updates with warranty
reactivation for older Atma-Sphere (Mk. II and Mk. I) products.
We have always used a proprietory wire that we developed in all of our products. We are proud to announce that we have made
improvements in our wire once again!
Contact us for details. ph.:651-690-2246
The MP-3 features optional power supply regulation using our new proprietary
regulator used in the MP-1. The option is available for $600 and is a revelation! It is retrofittable into
older units.
For you guitar fanatics out there, the world's first production OTL guitar amp can be
viewed at our sister site, Rendition Audio. A flash-enabled browser will allow you
to view the site properly. The features of this guitar amplifier give it the cleanest sound of any guitar amp in the
world, yet it has over-the-top gain for any rock requirements.
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