Review: Atma-Sphere Class D Amplifiers

[tima]

Atma-Sphere Class D Amplifiers - Positive Feedback

By Tim Aucremann - Overall the Class Ds delivered an open, clear sound across all the music I heard. The Atma-Sphere Class D amplifiers are true to the company’s goals of maximizing energy efficiency in a light weight package that is easy to use and takes a minimum of space.

positive-feedback.com

Comments welcome.

 

[PeterA]

Very well written and an enjoyable read. I like it when reviewers actually describe what they hear when listening to specific recordings. I get a very clear sense of what you think of the class D amps. They seem to be a good option if looking for a lower cost, cool running small size amplifier.

 

[Rjmika]

Hi Tim,Excellent in depth review as always! I still have my MA1s that you sold me and I using them to drive a pair of Dan Clark electrostatic headphones with an energizer. I recently bought a pair of Ralph’s class d amps to pair with my MP-1 preamp and Zu Audio Definition speakers. Very happy with the synergy of this system and my impressions are consistent with your observations. Thanks again and hope all is well! Rob

 

[Audiohertz2]

Atma-Sphere Class D Amplifiers - Positive Feedback

By Tim Aucremann - Overall the Class Ds delivered an open, clear sound across all the music I heard. The Atma-Sphere Class D amplifiers are true to the company’s goals of maximizing energy efficiency in a light weight package that is easy to use and takes a minimum of space.

positive-feedback.com

Comments welcome.

Ralph is claiming only 35db of Feedback , fascinating if accurate ..!

 

[wil]

Nice, no nonsense review.
I own these amps along with the Atmasphere mp3 pre for an economical and excellent+ sounding emergency backup to my Aries Cerat pre and amps.

 

[tima]

Hi Tim,Excellent in depth review as always! I still have my MA1s that you sold me and I using them to drive a pair of Dan Clark electrostatic headphones with an energizer. I recently bought a pair of Ralph’s class d amps to pair with my MP-1 preamp and Zu Audio Definition speakers. Very happy with the synergy of this system and my impressions are consistent with your observations. Thanks again and hope all is well! Rob

Hi Rob - thanks for your note; nice to hear from you. The MP-1 pairs perfectly with the MA-1 so not surprised that it does likewise with Class Ds. Best to you going foward..

 

[tima]

Nice, no nonsense review.
I own these amps along with the Atmasphere mp3 pre for an economical and excellent+ sounding emergency backup to my Aries Cerat pre and amps.

Wow - a tidy reasonably priced backup system - that's pretty cool. What would you say is the standout sonic difference between the two?

 

[tima]

I had to chuckle when I received this comment: "I wouldn’t have thought you would be familiar with Dolly Parton’s music."

 

[hopkins]

You mention the lack of ambiance in the Vegh Quartert recording. I have the same Valois LPs and listened to one again this morning. The booklet explains that the recordings were made in Quadrophonic sound and then reduced to stereo for this LP edition. Something may have been lost in the process.

 

[wil]

Wow - a tidy reasonably priced backup system - that's pretty cool. What would you say is the standout sonic difference between the two?

To be perfectly honest, I’ve never systematically compared the two set ups.

I will say, if my Aries Cerat suddenly threw a shoe, I wouldn’t feel bad at all having to listen to the class d amps with the MP3 pre. The tube Pre gives that combination the “breath of life.”

 

[cjfrbw]

Nice review. Class D has improved over the dry, musty upper midrange of the past. They used to make me cringe with that sort of flat, dry sound.

I picked up some Rotel surround amps (ICE) from around 2008 for a couple of hundred and was surprised that they sounded really good. No harshness, wide imaging and very fast detailed response. Musty sound gone. I use them to have a ‘hot weather’ system without the hot amplifiers I typically use. Wavacs are reserved for late fall to early spring.

So then I also got the most economical GANfet, the mini Gan 5, used. It really sounds good, especially for such a compact, cool package. It seems quite a bargain for both power and sound quality.

My generalizations are that these particular Class D amps seem to be linear sounding (maybe because of the PCM chopping and reconstruction process?) with high and wide sound that is ‘optically’ correct on imaging. They are not the last word on depth, but percussion speed is very fast sounding and detailed. They are ‘literal’ amps, without that being pejorative. I can have a satisfying audiophile experience listening to them.

I think these Class D as I have at least put the standard BJT push pull AB types to bed, but other amp types (Class A, SET etc.) can still have magic that is desirable. At least with my particular Class D samples, the traditional types of tube etc. have better depth of field and the ‘swelling’ effect of outward bound, back and forth distance effects, texture etc.

Of course, the Atma-Sphere Class D are craft devices and are surely better than what I have, especially with the enhanced GANfet tech.

 

[microstrip]

Nice to read, but we need to know the preamplfier and complete system used in this review - IMO a review is essentially an holistic opinion of how a piece of gear integrates the reviewer system. Did you listen to the Atmasphere class D amplifiers with speakers other than the JBL M9500?

 

[tima]

I realize that PF can be a bit obscure, so this text is included in the review.

To see the equipment in my review system, click on my name at the top of this review.

 

[tima]

The tube Pre gives that combination the “breath of life.”

Yes, fully agree. I don't know but speculate RK voiced them with his tube preamps.

 

[Al M.]

This was an enjoyable read. To an unusual degree the review gives you a good idea of how the component sounds and performs. Well done, Tim.

 

[tima]

This was an enjoyable read. To an unusual degree the review gives you a good idea of how the component sounds and performs. Well done, Tim.

Why thank you Al, I appreciate your comment.

 

[oldmustang]

Nice review, Tim. I thoroughly enjoyed it -- the more so since I just took delivery of a pair of Class Ds yesterday.

It's still early days yet but I'm hearing much the same character you described in your PF article. After supper I'm going to queue up some of the same music you referenced. I very much appreciate the detailed notes and though it's been way too long since I listened to it, I've always enjoyed Trio by three of the female vocalists I hold in the highest regard. Looking forward to hearing it again tonight.

I hope you don't mind if I post my ongoing impressions here of the Class Ds as they break in.

Best regards,

Steve Z

 

[tima]

I hope you don't mind if I post my ongoing impressions here of the Class Ds as they break in.

Please do.

 

[Rexp]

Your videos usually sound great, this one not so much:

 

[tima]

Your videos usually sound great, this one not so much:

Each listener can judge for himself. I don't know if I'm the only reviewer to include a video. Do you think it makes sense to do so?