Atma-Sphere Music Systems

Atma-Sphere

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Customer Comments

Dear Ralph: The upgrade [from early Mk.II] to Mark III to my M60s was great! I can't believe the difference--more detail, more power to lower frequencies, more gain across the board--I couldn't be more pleased. Thanks and kudos to you and your staff for a job very well done!
Jamie B, NY

I bought an MP1 MkIII and it made a transformational change in my system. My system (BAT VK51SE, Atma MA1 MkII.3, RidgeStreet Audio Sason) was VERY good sounding before...how the hell can your Pre make such a massive difference in this system?? I loved what your amps did for my system (even before with the Maggie 3.6r's), but I think the MP1 brings an even more significant change! This was noticeable on the first note!!

It sounds like I've doubled my power output in an underpowered system (the MA1's are not underpowered...just making a point). I know what head-room is now...it's alarming when you first hear it. No compression, no "hardening" of sound when turned up higher...just louder with dynamic range preserved, not capped. Transparency...the 2nd thing I noticed...by about the 5th note! Veils? How about lifting a curtain! Low-level detail and micro dynamics the third thing I noticed...by about the 10th note.

So my expensive BAT pre was keeping all of this from happening? Amazing! I don't even miss the remote either...without the compression/hardening of sound if the volume is just a little too high for a given track, I'm not jumping to turn it down "a notch" like I did before...it doesn't "hurt" or "alarm" me of impending destruction!

I'm so much more aware of the "tonal colors" of an instrument with both MP-1 and MA-1 in the system...the "tonal density" is greater than anything I've experienced before by a long shot. I interpret it as just so much more information, not "colorful artifact"...it definitely makes instruments sound more real.
Jordan

[M-60 Mk.III]I'm in awe. How to describe the sound? A.R.C. with soul? Shindo without the added "liquidness"? At the end of the day comparisons fail, what's left is my drug of choice. By far.
Terrence R., AZ

I was just writing to tell you how much pleasure it has been doing business with you. As a customer of yours for 10+ years, I can confirm all the glowing reviews that your equipment has received. This is not why I write. Many companies can make equipment that generates glowing reviews; the harder feat is customer service, and you have excelled in this regard. I recently upgraded my M-60s. After that I realized that there was some noise in my older MP-3 phono section. It was a low level 60 cycle hum mixed in with the noise floor. I explained it to you and you insisted that I send it in for a check up. Even though it was out of warranty you spent the time rooting out the cause, but best of all, you fixed the problem with significant work and parts and didn't charge me a cent for the service-even for return shipping.

I love how quiet my system is now. I knew it was amazing when I was listening to an old Bollywood 45 and I could hear the 50 cycle hum from the amps used to make the recording oh so many years ago.

Thank you,

AG, California

[On the MA-1 MkIII] It is spectacular! I've played acoustic guitar for 30 years and and used to be married to a classical pianist (with a B-model Steinway); your amps come as close as anything I have heard to making the system disappear.

- Jack L., CA

[on a new M-60 MkIII/MP-3 set] I listened to the M-60/MP3 off and on today for 5 hours. Wow. I know they need a ton more breaking in, but I have to tell you, I'm liking what I am hearing. The soundstage is incredibaly wide. The seperation of instruments and vocals is probably the best I have heard, and I have heard very very expensive systems.

Had I known that I was going to be this enthralled, I would have ordered the MA-1 without a doubt. :) You have something really good here.

Later, Mike added these comments:

Whatever I told you earlier on, please totally disregard that. It has gotten exponentially better. To be totally honest with you, my favorite amp before this was the $10000 (name_witheld) amp. The M-60 with the V-CAP and Power Supply boost upgrades I purchased are extremely better! These amps were a steal at the retail price. I just want you to know how smitten I am with these amps. No grain whatsoever. That is gone, and they are STILL breaking in. And I haven't even rolled any tubes yet! So transparent, yet rich. Very very musical. I can't think this can be bettered, really.
- Mike V., MA

Just received my new (used) MP-3. What a fantastic difference it made in my system.. Great dynamics, great bass, wonderful soundstaging, delectable midrange, super highs. and most important, truth of tone. I couldn't be more satisfied-and I haven't even retubed it yet. It really compliments my M60 Mk 2.2s. Thanks for designing and building such a wonderful preamp!

P.S. I always appreciate your being so available to answer my often ignorant but earnest questions.

- Jamie B., NH

I picked up one of your S-30 amps on the internet last week. I wanted to compliment you on the quality, looks and above all- the sound. Absolutely astounding. I have a degree in music from Berklee in Boston- I played for years In Jazz and R&B groups. I actually know what live instruments and voices sound like. So when I tell you that your amp is a major breakthrough in Hi-Fidelity - I mean it.

I have been working with relatively high class equipment for probably 40 years - your product wins - hands down.

I am saving up my pennies to buy one of your pre-amps...Thanks for a terrific instrument.
- Rick P., Maine

[on the MP-3 and M-60 MkIII] This product is the most beautiful sounding that I have ever heard. It is like being in Heaven and having the angels play the music for you. I congratulate you on such a wonderful product.
- Antonio F, NY

[on the MP-3] The equipment is sounding better every time I listen. The MP-3 is really a great sounding preamp. It is a lot more dynamic than my friend's $13,000 VAC preamp.

Just plain outstanding air, dynamics, soundstage; just state of the art. Note the noise floor- there is none on my speakers anyway- well done!

[on the MA-1] In my opinion, the finest sounding 140 watts around.
- Wally H, NY

Ralph, these things are simply amazing. The amount of low level detail...well, you know, but I got to tell you, I am hearing notes that were previously obscured. Little things, like the ringing on guitar strings, the harmonics in cymbals....just great. I had a good friend (professional drummer) over this weekend, and we put on Stravinsky Firebird, last movement. When the bass drum went off, we could hear the head resonate, the air come off the drum....his comment was that it was the first time he ever heard that instrument reproduced correctly. Like you say, these things make music, not sine waves.
- Ron L, NJ

To say I'm impressed I think would be one of the biggest understatements of my life! Thank you and the crew for a job so well done. I am delighted and can't thank you guys enough.
- John F, CA

Every thing is sounding great. I am extremely happy with the level of performance the MP-1 and the M-60 have displayed driving the Avantgarde horn systems. They seem to light a fire under the speakers, with a clarity and dynamics unheard in other amplifiers and preamplifiers at twice their cost...
-Trevor M., West Indies.

I listen to these M-60s and I just grin-that is, until I think of all the time I wasted with solid state. Of course, I don't mean to slight the MP-3. It's absolutely the best preamp I've ever heard.
What an amazing sound. Thank you for following this career path.
-Bob H, IL.

Ralph, I have had some of the best audio equipment that Audio Research makes in my system and your "entry level" equipment blows it away. (I used to have an Audio Research Ref II Mark II modified by Great Northern Sound and a VT 200). There is no comparison. Your S-30 and MP3 provides some of the sweetest and most satisfying music that I have heard in my house. Thanks so much!
Ron T..

Dear Ralph,
Greetings at 1:00 AM. You may realize that I'm up late listening to music. Thank you for updating my MA-2. Adam did good work! Transparency? yes!!! Back-ground information is more audible. Bass is more punchy and detailed. Possibly more extension on the top too, but I'm limited by the Quads. BIG THANKS to both Adam and Ralph.
Sincerely, Tri Mai, Tri-planer.

Hi, Ralph,
It's tempting to lay all the attributes and "detributes" of entire system on the latest component installed. So the amps and preamp cannot accommodate for deficiencies in other components in the system. Prominent stage presence, without being aggressive--which is how I'd describe the Tube Research Labs' 400 watt amps. The MA-2s and MP-1 can do delicate renderings of small musical presences, instruments or voices in upper corners of the soundstage. The equipment is fast. All taken together, my system is dynamic. I think that this attribute alone will permit deficiencies elsewhere. With fast equipment and speakers that get the dynamics right, you don't mind getting up from the sofa and dancing. Even if your only partner is your German Shepherd. But this step has helped to improve or extend or reveal more clearly the true decay time of voices and instrumentals. A good measure of how well a system can resolve the music signal. My system gets right the shimmering sound of cymbals--pshhhh-- created by a drum brush.

Next up is Johnny Hodges doing some Gershwin.

Phil S., IL.

THANKS, thanks thanks Ralph, for your generous and helpful assistance with the [older] MA-1s during my initial acquaintance with them. They are making very happy music indeed, and I've fabricated per your recommendation the banana plug/spade lug wire that simplifies checking of the DC/bias. The amps are holding bias very nicely.
If the way you treated me, someone who had not purchased anything except a small upgrade from you, is an example of the way that you treat your real "paying customers," no wonder you have stayed in business so long with such success and such loyalty. Bravo.

All the best,
M. K..

I just purchased your amp from Sonic Culture here in California. I'm amazed at the improvement over the Pass Aleph3 I was using previously. Love the amp.
-SM, San Diego

"The MP-1 is a magnificent product. I thought nothing could beat the 5 piece phono/line of Mike Elliott's Magnum Opus preamp, until the MP-1 was installed in my system. The analysis and reproduction of low and mid frequencies is unbelievable. Instruments now have a new body that was missing before.That was the first thing I immediately had noticed from the first seconds of listening. The preamp didn't have a chance to warm up. However I was shocked for the first two days (that was the time needed) because in comparison to the Elliotts I thought the high frequencies didn't have enough presence, energy and extension. Of course I immediately thought of playing all those LPs with hard and annoying high frequencies. You could still hear that the sound was hard but not annoying at all!! When the trial period of two days had passed then I forgot my Elliotts for good. Best regards"
Lucas S. -Greece

[MA-1 MkII.2] " Wonderful! I hope to enjoy them for years! Do not stray from the path!"
Duncan E. -Princeton, OR

[M-60 MkII.2] " Frankly, Mr. Karsten, I am extremely happy with the decision we made to purchase the M-60 Mono Blocks. I have never experienced such a high degree of sonic accuracy in any tube amplifier. The M-60 just seems to light a fire under the Avantgardes."
Trevor M. -Trinidad

[M-60 MkII.2] " They are the best amps I have ever heard... thanks for the music."
Ralph J. -WV

[MA-2 MkII.2] "Superior resolution vs. Ayre V5. Drives Maggie 20.1 well." Wally M. -MN

[MP-3 preamp] "What can I say except, 'Outstanding.' The MP-3 is without a doubt the finest preamp I have owned or heard. Biggest single difference: Dynamics " Michael C. -TX

[M-60 MkII.2] " These amps definately get the 5 star ass- kicker rating. I'm the cheif engineer at Sterling [Mastering] so we get to test every over-priced amp in the world. These kill most in most applications, for less!" Chris M. -NY

[MA-1 Mk.II.2] "I've been listening to it for about 2 hours now. I know it is too premature to make any comments but I must say the MA-1 is a superb amplifier. It already sounds soooo good. I'm very impressed. I cannot wait to hear the sound after it totally breaks in." Hiko I. -TN

[MP-3] "Incredible! Ralph and his staff are the new "Wizards of Menlo Park" " -Michael W. -AZ

[M-60 MkII.2] "I just have to say it again- astounding products!" -Michael W. -AZ

[S-30] "I purchased this amp without ever seeing or hearing it based only on Sound Images' very accurate description of its sound. This is the best amplifier on this planet- I have owned or heard many very good tube amplfiers." -Charles I. -PA

[MA-1 Mk. II.2] "I was truly amazed at the level of improvement verses the BAT VK60 monoblocks. I wish I could get the word out faster about these fine power amps." -Wally H -NY

[M-60 Mk. II] "Fantastic. I listened to a variety of tube amps but they all had deficiencies. The M-60s do everything right. [I] will be getting the Atma-Sphere preamp when I can scrape up the $."

[M-60 MkII.2]"...I am sure lots before me wrote to you. Maybe I will write some lines later, but you are a Genius. Really. I own really good equipment and these amps are what I always was looking for." - Thomas H. - Germany
-And later Thomas followed up with 'some lines': ..... but I knew there is something out there, in MN, USA, a tube amp, really unique, which is definetly able to bring together the best of both worlds from excellent transistor amps and the best of tube amp reproduction. The so-called Output Transformer Less amplifieres ( OTL ), the Kings of Speed. I got one of those from Atma-Sphere, the M-60 Mk II.2 These are a revelation. Their reproduction of dynamics, high frequencies, timbre, timing, bass [and] control is amazing. These are easily the most fluid, grain-free tube amps I [have] ever heard. Super fast, clean and clear, natural and balanced for the whole spectrum; they are superb. I believe I had a mesmerized look in my face when I first listened to them. There is everything I hear from my Pass amps AND MORE. They give me every detail with lots of air, combined with brutal power in the bottom (without euphonic coloration), linked with stunning speed and transparency. 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: there are NO tube-related anomalies - just clean, accurate musical amplification. The real thrill is listening rock music with them, AC/DC, Deep Purple ....., these amps make you gonna dance. " Am I touched by Music ? " , " YES, I am ". With these I am in the driver's seat and I think I will never want to give it up.. Again, my respect.
Best Regards Thomas H. -Germany

Your amps are so beautiful- have you considered sending photos of them to the various design magazines?" - Brian J. - CA

[M-60 Mk. II] "My new M-60 MkII amplifiers are not yet broken in but already they are sounding absolutely gorgeous. I left our sound room for a little while and when I come back in I found my wife sitting in amazement listening to her favorite CD. The music drew her in; it is so involving through the M-60s. She remarked that they sounded so much better then the Carys and the AirTights that we had auditioned. I totally agree, and I haven't even listened to my LPs (which certainly sound much better then my CD player).
Thanks for the reasonably priced superb sounding amps."
- Jim R. - CO

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your extreme patience and courtesy. The level of service that I received from you and your staff is world class. I have been in the customer service business for over 30 years as a stock broker and finance manager. Therefore, I know how difficult it is to take care of customers on a daily basis. Especially when you are dealing with technical information visa vi some pretty ignorant people such as myself!
Your staff is "5 stars" in every area! The only thing that exceeds the excellence of your service is the product itself!!! Oh my!!! What a glorious sounding amp! I have owned Levinson, Krell, McCormack, Counterpoint and Conrad Johnson. Your M-60 Mk. II beats them all!!!! I am so thankful that you are designing such beautiful sounding gear!"
- Jack W. - AZ

[M-60 Mk.II] "Your amplifiers have taken my Hartsfields from a level of importance to that of extreme authority and has also made me conclude that the guys from New York, although they build some fine equipment, are offering "free amplifiers with every pair of meters purchased!" (WWW Note: We don't know who the "guys from New York" are, but he makes the point!) - Pete P. - MI

The MP-3 is really a well-kept secret. Now that I have used a number of other preamps on the M-60's I can better assess the value of it and describe in what areas it seems to set itself apart from those other preamps.
What struck me first is how tuneful it is, in other words it leaves the full timbre of musical instruments intact. The overall sound is crisp and firm and there is an extraordinary sense of being able to pinpoint the location and true size of any instrument. There is absolutely no artificial bloom added to the sound. It is a highly sober and natural sound. From one narrow point of view one is reminded of solid state because of this sober way of playing, only it is without all the deficiencies that haunt each and every solid state design I have heard, such as smearing of details, flattening of the overall soundstage and lack of proper integration of the whole overtone spectrum.
The MP-3 is called a 'music preamplifier', but it could just as well have been called a 'musical preamplifier', because that is what it is.
-K.L.- Denmark

From: Multirama Date: the 17th of June 1997 23:29 Dear Ralph, I would like to express my deepest regards to you and your team. Harvey [Rosenberg] was indeed right when he stated that you are going to create a revolution with your designs. I have in the last days had the opportunity to expose the product to different music lovers and audiophiles. One of my friends who is a very critical person ( he has a pair of Shindo 300B monoblocks) and extremely difficult to satisfy, was overwhelmed by the M-60 MkII. He called me the day after and to say that he was dreaming about the amps the whole night! The most fantastic experience I had myself was when I removed all but 2 of the 6AS7s and drove my Lowthers with them. It should be stated that I do not normally get to over enthusiastic about amps. During the last decade many have passed through here. But this was really extraordinary.. I must honestly admit that it was the greatest musical experience that I have ever had. I hope and pray that the Swedes are not too far behind and that they will be able to embrace this industrial looking jewel, and that they will be able to look beyond the external looks.
One's life is wasted if one never had the opportunity to experience this OTL triode aroma . . . What can be worse than a megawatt megabucks system that is lacking the refinement and that is unable to capture the soul of music? You have my admiration for being able to hold on to the concept and not give up during the megawatt race of the 80's. Anyone who sticks it out through thick and thin for 2 decades is indeed deserving the respect. I do not believe that one can do that without having deep love for music. Thank you for this great gift.
Best regards
Patrik
P.S. you may freely quote me - I stand behind every word written.

"Thank you for sharing your genius with me. . . . an incredible job revealing detail on my vinyl I didn't know was there. I think I need to quit my job, move to St. Paul, and start working for you as a floor sweeper. You have enriched the enjoyment of my music more than I ever expected."
- Mark Gilmore - CA

". . . your Novacron amplifier brought tears to my eyes again last night . . .. Thank you for my latest revelation in high-end audio." -M.H. in New Jersey

"[Novacron] This kit practically assembled itself! After spreading the parts out on my living room floor, all that was required were two six-hour sessions and the units were virtually complete." -J.B. in Ontario, Canada

[MP-l] "Background noise on phono is very low, even using the Clavis. I am very impressed. My compliments to this great achievement!" - Mark H. - MN

[MP-l & MA-1 .5] "We were amazed with the stage, the power and the magic midrange. Now we can say that the Atma-Sphere is the best we have ever heard." - Luis A. - Portugal

[MA-1] "Best amp I've ever heard on my system. Use all the reviewer adjectives to describe! 5 Star Company to work with!" - Rusty M. -AZ

[MA-1] "Very emotional, can't drag myself away!" - Richard N. - WI

[MA-2] . . . sound utterly transparent and subtle while maintaining that AMAZING SPEED which is impossible to get in other amplifiers." - Pedro V - Portugal

"I'll really appreciate it if you can provide me with any additional information regarding the MA-2, for I intend to keep it for life." - S.N. - Thailand (We're contacting him to let him know about the MkII updates...)

"..Some customers are really proud of Atma-Sphere products. They've founded a club of sorts and they always ask me for information on your products. Some of these customers become even my very best friends. I don't want to bore you, but maybe I think I have never explained to you my dedication to your products . . ." -C.Z. distributor in Rep. of San Marino, Italy

" I have been an audiophile since 1950...and an MA-1 MkII (with Caddock resistors) owner for a month. The amps are coupled to the Sound Lab A1+ electrostatics. My music is classical. Since I went to the MA-1s, my music is live. If my system doesn't play it, it wasn't recorded. My 48 year quest for live sound ended with the MA-1. I could hardly believe it. A friend commented that I had lost my justification for Houston Symphony season tickets."
- William K. -Houston, TX

[M-60 Mk. II] "In my opinion there is Atma-Sphere and then there are all the others. I have listened to so many different amps over the years but compared to the M-60 mk.II they all more or less sound like what they basically are: electronics. With the M-60 the electronic haze is simply gone and the music itself emerges out of an empty black space, much in the same way as you will experience from a very good turntable. Once you hear this incredible amplifier you simply know it is right and you stop worrying about whether any other amp might do a better job. My estimate is they won't. Here in Denmark I will do whatever I can to get as many as possible to listen to this fabulous product. The M-60 has been an eye-opener among audiophiles here and I am certain the news will spread quickly."
- Karsten L. - Denmark

[M-60 Mk. II kit] ". . . extremely transparent and clean sound, with little noise. The amps also seem to show every nuance in timbre of instruments and voices, quickly following vibrato and decay, etc. I think the so called intertransient silence of this kind of amp is very good."
- Fritz D.- Denmark

[M-60 Mk. II kit (1998)] "When I say the M-60's are terrific amps, I have to continually redefine 'terrific'. I've owned many amps over the years from Audio Research, Rowland, VTL, Classe, Levinson, Audio Note, etc., but none of these can be described as 'transparent' when compared to the M-60."
- Jerry S. - CO

[M-60 Mk. II kit (1997)] "For the first time in my listening 'career' . . . I am captivated by the MUSIC, not just the 'sounds'. I look forward to every listening session."
- Mike H. - NJ

[M-60 Mk. II] "The bass is excellent."
- John H. - France

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