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A suggestion.

150.148.218.189
Posted on October 27, 2004 at 08:07:49
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 I think all or most of us former ASOGers are guardedly pleased that Ralph is back in the business he knows and loves. I say "guardedly", because it remains to be seen what damage this whole episode has done to Atma-sphere as a business and whether Ralph or anyone can rescue it at this point. Meantime, I would like to suggest that we all cease and desist from further dissection of this unhappy affair, so that we can get back to our interesting hobby and so that wounds can be allowed to heal. Private disagreements can be settled privately. Here on the OTL forum or wherever we end up, I suggest we cool it.

I actually like this new forum, because we seem to have been found by owners of OTLs other than Atma-sphere. This could make for some lively novel discussions (and arguments).

 

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Re: Damage, posted on October 27, 2004 at 08:50:44
mdhodges
Audiophile

Posts: 71
Location: Los Angeles
Joined: June 10, 2004
 I have used Audio Research equipment for almost twenty years. For about the last ten years their sound has become increasing lean. I read on Tubes Asylum about Atma-sphere and its OTL design and became interested. I was ready to make an appointment at a local dealer when news broke of Ralph’s departure. It will be some time until I trust Atma-sphere enough to make a purchase with them.

 

Both sides should probably do some damage control, posted on October 27, 2004 at 11:31:36
Caymus
Audiophile

Posts: 970
Joined: March 9, 2003
 Instead of wasting time for egos to heal, they should instead start rehabilitating their seriously damaged images from this disaster.:

Atma-sphere – How long are they going to be around? Having 2 out of 3 investment partners suddenly bail is not a good sign. They just suddenly unloaded Atma-sphere - didn’t even bother to get anything in return.

Glacier Audio – Does anyone trust them anymore? If they treat their close partners so poorly, imagine how they treat their customers.

 

As a supremely satisfied Atma-Sphere customer..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 12:18:16
Wellfed
 I don't hesitate for a second to recommend their purchase. If you are concerned about service, don't be, even if Atma-Sphere were to go under there are so many people qualified to service these simply due the fact that so many people have built them as kits. Even if Atma-Sphere ended production I am sure that Ralph would have a plan in place to accomodate future service needs. That said, I don't think Atma-Sphere will have any trouble staying in business because the products they offer are outstanding.

 

Re: As a supremely satisfied Atma-Sphere customer..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 15:26:43
Springbok10


 
I agree 100% with Wellfed. I am 150% happy with my MA 2.2, and when I recently had a problem with a fuse question, got telephone answers from Bill Layer and an e-mail directly from Ralph, giving the answer. Even if Ralph himself has to fix any (unlikely) problem, you will not be stranded. To pass up the unique satisfaction provided by an AS preamp or amp would be a huge mistake! (They are built like tanks under the RK 20 year plan)

 

I agree with Lew..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 15:49:05
Rushton
Reviewer

Posts: 726
Location: Huntsville, AL
Joined: January 5, 2001
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2004
 I agree with Lew's suggestion. I, too, am guardedly optimistic that Ralph is now on a good track and, with some additional support from his friends over these next months, will be able to pull things back together. I am NOT in the "forgive and forget" frame of mind. However, there currently is no benefit to Ralph or Atma-Sphere to continue talking about this in the public forums.

As with Lew, I like this new OTL forum. I like the viewpoints shared by users of other OTL gear in addition to Atma-Sphere; I think this will be a richer place to learn and share our enjoyment of our hobby and our love for music.

Let’s move on.

 

Atma-Sphere is again Ralph, it's safe to move ahead..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 16:00:28
Rushton
Reviewer

Posts: 726
Location: Huntsville, AL
Joined: January 5, 2001
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2004
 Mdhodges, I understand why you'd be concerned. I'm an Atma-Sphere owner and I am now completely comfortable. Atma-Sphere was and is a very small company: Ralph Karsten has always been it's soul, it's spirit and the reason the company and the equipment are so special. Ralph is a person of tremendous integrity. Whether Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc., is successful over the long term, any equipment built while Ralph is in charge of the company will be built to an extremely high level of quality.

And, as long as Ralph is working and in good health, I am convinced he will personally take whatever actions are needed to support people who have bought his equipment over the years. And, if Ralph is not physically able to do this sometime down the road, there exists a very broad network of people who have the technical skills and knowledge to repair or update Atma-Sphere amplifiers and preamplifiers.

I encourage you to move forward to explore your interest in Atma-Sphere equipment. It is superb gear, exceedly well engineered and well assembled, and it just plain sounds great.

 

A time to reap..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 16:40:03
Trelja
Audiophile

Posts: 153
Location: Philadelphia, PA suburbs
Joined: August 3, 2001
 One thing that strikes me strange is the "guarded optimism" of the recent developments.

What were our goals in this ordeal? To ensure a good man, who worked a good portion of his life, building a good company, did not become disenfranchised outside of his intentions and the rules of fair play.

We have achieved exactly what we wished for!

What else are we looking for? Something in return? Free amplifiers? A bunch of audiophiles sitting around in a circle singing kumbaya?

To be quite frank, those who are worried about the negative fallout of AtmaSphere make me think they are looking the gift horse in the mouth. Let's face reality here, PLEASE. Ralph is back in charge of AtmaSphere. Ralph will be making amplifiers, today and tomorrow, and next year. It's obvious that over the 27 year history of AtmaSphere that Ralph has MORE than proven he will take care of those who are part of the AtmaSphere family. Do you now dare to question him?

A time to reap. Let's not be afraid to see good times when they appear. This is a moment to be cherished and remembered forever.

 

Hear - Hear (nt), posted on October 28, 2004 at 15:15:24
Mike Mount
Audiophile

Posts: 573
Location: midwest
Joined: September 25, 2004
 ;-)

 

Re: Another supremely satisfied Atma-Sphere customer/dealer..., posted on October 28, 2004 at 16:17:49
Mike Mount
Audiophile

Posts: 573
Location: midwest
Joined: September 25, 2004
 One of the (many) reasons I purchased (own multiple) Atma-Sphere components and aspects that I especially love is thier inherent simplicity. Less to get in the way of the musical experience.

***Amazingly Simple and Simply Amazing***

Also the fact that the point to point connections and wiring in the amps (by nature) is not subject to any real form of obsolescence. My gear (the chassis, not of course tubes) will last forever! In addition to Ralph (the company), myself or select others, even a minimally competant tech can manage *basic life support*.

Yours too will be making music forever . . .

Another thing that I have noticed is that Atma-Sphere gear plays well with' others. Or (as example) it could not be more different than my Levinson pre-amp and amps, but they work fabulously when paired together. *I know, it looooks and seems weird to mention in the same sentence or for that matter the same system. It works well...

Lastly,
I have said this before, I bought/built an $$$ Levinson/Revel(Studio) based system. Was strongly considering M-60mkII for a smaller 2nd system. I had never heard one, then bought a pair (mostly on Ralphs' longstanding reputation). . . YES! Then an MP1 and MA1, this gear has literally change my listening/life.

We all own some of the very best gear or systems I have expereinced.

Move On, Rock On
Happy Listening Everyone!

 

Re: Damage, posted on October 29, 2004 at 21:50:15
Yada
Audiophile

Posts: 343
Joined: September 27, 2002
 In the interest of "moving forward" (and not getting involved in the corporate/service issues, etc.), can we hear from more users who have owned both Atma-Sphere and comparable (wattage) ARC amps to get a more detailed description of their sonic differnces (or similarities)? And if possible make mention of the speakers used? Thanks

- comments from planar speakers owners would be especially helpful, thanks

 

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