Tubes Asylum

• Re: Air Tight ATM3 Gerry 22:30:46 01/15/00 (3)
  In Reply to: Re: Air Tight ATM3 posted by Brian on January 15, 2000 at 17:38:06:

  O.K. Brian, You gots a deal... I'll deliver the message but tell me more about the AMT2 please. Do you consider it a fast amp, mellow, etc. I bought SF's new Amati's 4 way floor standing speakers rated at 92 sensitivity into 4 ohms and was wondering if the AMP2 could be the Amp for me. Also, are you running the KT88's in thairrr (thought you would appreciate a little of the home town ascent). If you could buy another Amp other than your AMT2 which would it be if any and what are you using for your Preamp??

  I am striving for a three dimentional feel, good air, solid bass control, right on vocals well into the goosebump factor. Your feeback is cetainly appreciated. Thanks and don't worry about missing anything else about Boston right about now cause it's 4 degree outside and cold enough to freeze the kitchen pipes this a.m.

  G.
  
  
  

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  • Re: Air Tight ATM3 Brian 07:25:50 01/16/00 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: Air Tight ATM3 posted by Gerry on January 15, 2000 at 22:30:46:

    I consider the ATM-2 a very neutral and reasonably fast sounding amplifier. Rhythm and pace are absolutely outstanding and it does delicacy extremely well too. I consider it the ultimate happy medium in amplifiers. The bass is strong and very realistic. As far as three dimensionality, I've heard no better than the ATM-2. I listened to amplifiers costing three times more and I always went back to the ATM-2. The midrange is not overly tubey, but it is still very sweet nonetheless. Vocals will definitely give you goose-bumps and bring tears of emotion to your eyes. The amp really helped my system draw me into the music so I can experience the emotion of the event. If I had to do it again, I would go back to the ATM-2. No regrets and no other amp.

    From what I've read, the ATM-2 has excellent drive capability and can even out do many solid state amplifiers in that department. I read a paper which used many different amplifiers to drive some Sound Labs electrostatic speakers. From what the paper stated, these speakers are a very difficult load. The only amplifier that drove the speakers to high volumes without severe compression was the ATM-2. It's been a while since I've seen the paper so I don't remember too much of it except that the ATM-2 came out on top. It is, after all, just a paper. It does mean however, that the ATM-2 will probably drive your Sonus Fabers pretty well. Of course, you should give it a try to find out the scoop for yourself. I did hear the ATM-2 driving some difficult loads at Lee's shop, and it didn't even bat an eyelash.

    I originally started off looking for a preamp and amplifier in the 5000 dollar range for the set. I listened to quite a few, including the much heralded CJ 11A with their decent 12 linestage preamp. The ATM-2 came out on top by a longshot. It was a much better match for my tastes. At the time I limited my budget to around 5000 for a preamp and amp. I ended up expanding my budget slightly, and buying just the ATM-2. I'm using the passive volume section of the ATM-2 as my preamp. It's worked out extremely well, and I've found that every reasonably priced preamp I add to the chain degrades the sound considerably. The ATC-2 preamp is my next planned purchase, but it is pricey and I'm in the process of buying a house so that purchase is on hold for now. It is a great preamp and a great match for the ATM-2

    My tastes have changed quite a bit since I bought the amp. Now I listen to just about everything, and I enjoy vocal music more than just about anything else.

    Now for the bad news. The first ATM-2 I bought lasted about 5 seconds when it blew a KT-88 output tube and took a resistor along with it. Instead of fixing the amplifier, Lee got me a brand new replacement unit free of charge. The replacement amp had a little bit of trouble with the power supply mounting bolts. They were a little buggered up. Lee got me some new bolts and installed them for me. Now everything is OK and I'm reasonably happy. I wish that these amplifiers were put together with a little more TLC to match the outstanding sound quality. I'm a very fussy person, and if I'm reasonably happy, most people would be ecstatic.

    If I bought an ATM-2 again, the first thing I would do is get rid of those cheap Chinese KT-88s. They are not reliable at all, and an amplifier in that price range shouldn't be using them. I've spent the last two years searching for a good KT-88 and I've been through the stock Chinese tubes, the Sovteks, the Teslas (JJ Electronics), and now the new Svetlana KT-88. Until I tried the new Svetlanas, the stock Chinese tubes sounded the best. I guess that's why they are still using them. The new Svetlanas are still breaking in as they were a Christmas present from my wife, but early listening indicates that I've found what I'm looking for. As far as sound quality, I'd have to rate the tubes in this order. First-Svetlana, Second-stock Chinese tubes, Third-Tesla (JJ Electronics), Fourth-Sovteks. I haven't tried the old Genalex Gold Lions because they are very pricey.

    There's not too much on the Web about Air Tight. Here's a few URLs that I've found in the past. Give them a try.

    http://www.a1stop.com/homebase/airtight.htm

    http://www.networkjp.com/hino/airtight.htm

    That last one is in Japanese, but you can still look at the pictures and get an idea of the relative retail prices in Yen.

    I think you should give the ATM-2 a try. It sounds like it may be just what you're looking for. It really is an outstanding amplifier. If you do give it a try, remember to try dropping the bias to three dots below the bubble on the bias meter. Bass may suffer a bit and I'm not sure how it would work out with you Sonus Fabers, but the sound is magical in my system. My system consists of:

    Rega Planet CD Player
    Nordost Red Dawn Interconnect
    Air Tight ATM-2 amplifier
    Nordost Red Dawn Speaker Cables - Bi Wired
    Meadowlark Audio Shearwater

    Let me know how you make out in your search. 4 degrees doesn't sound too bad right about now. I moved to upstate New York, and let me tell you, another thing I miss about Boston is the tropical weather.

    
    
    

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  • Air Tight ATM 3 Steve 02:19:50 01/16/00 (1)
    In Reply to: Re: Air Tight ATM3 posted by Gerry on January 15, 2000 at 22:30:46:
    

    You will find a little bit information about Air Tight on my web:

    http://members.carinthia.com/spickl/index.htm

    good luck

    steve
    
    

    • Air Tight ATM 3

    
    

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    • Re: Air Tight ATM 3 GRS 07:30:42 01/16/00 (0)
      In Reply to: Air Tight ATM 3 posted by Steve on January 16, 2000 at 02:19:50:

      All - Thank you for your input. I do know the Sound Images folks and I agree that they are top notch and provide business hours that are amenable to us working stiffs. It was good to hear that there are a few other knowledgable folks(not many)in other regions of the country. I have tested the ATC-2/ATM-2 combination and found it terrific. I question Air Tight's strength in providing equal quality in the phono preampliers. Some folks in Santa Rosa, CA have additional info at the following site including factory pictures from Japan. I would think that it might be useful for a group of Air Tight owners to form an information group, including the shops mentioned previously. I still haven't heard about other preamp matches for the ATM-3 other than the ATC-2, those that might have a decent phono stage. Steve I did come across your site yesterday, I very much appreciate the effort you have put into your site. Thank you again all....GRS
      http/www.tweakshop.com/Air%20Tight.html
      
      

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