Atma-sphere S-30, any users out there?


I am considering checking this amp out, it seems to be offer a lot for a VERY affordable price. What do people who use it think, and what have you compared it to? I am currently using a much more expensive tube amp, but am facinated by using an OTL. At the other end of the spectrum I was considering the Wavac 805's.
tireguy
Tim,
I have had the S-30 for a year now. Initially I used it with Meadowlark Shearwater HR's with great success. I moved up to Coincident Victories which are an easy load with tubes.
With sensitive speakers, the S-30 has to be the greatest bargain in this hobby. Excellent bass, amazing transparency and runs much cooler than the other Atma-Sphere amps(fewer tubes).
With NOS tubes (6 good 6SN7's) which are abundant out there, the amp moves to a whole new level. The Chinese tubes are pretty good but a few hundred bucks invested in NOS is very worthwhile.
I haven't heard an amp, tube or solid state under 6 grand (except for the M-60's) that pleases me the way the S-30 does. Definitely worth a try.
Cheers,
Chris
I've been using an S-30 for 6 years with my JBLs and it sounds fantastic. Excellent transparency, bass & soundstage. I've done some upgrades on the power supply bringing it up to current production. I also added teflon coupling caps. I'm also using the Atma-Sphere MP-3 preamp & it is excellent. Atma-Sphere is a great company to deal with & their products are in demand. If your travels take you to the southeast, you are welcome to audition.
Stephen
I've been using an S30 for about 4 years, currently with coincident total victory's. Prior to the T.V.'s I had Alon lotus's with the 14 ohm woofer. I agree with Chris/Nutella, the S30, while certainly not inexpensive, is one of the highend's great bargains.
It has a speed and transparency that is world class, coupled with usual tube attributes, imaging, bloom and air. Yet it is very neutral sounding. It will be as cold or as warm as the source components/material dictates.
Prior to the S30, I had an audio research classic 60 and I did compare with the cary 300b set offerings. The S30 was significantly better for all the reasons mentioned above. Surprisingly, it also had a fuller/tighter bass.
Coupled with appropriate speakers, the S30 is capable of world class sound.
Personally, Tim, I think the M60s are the Atmas to get. You get double the power, a much wider array of speakers to choose from, and an easier time selling if that day ever should come.

The Atma house sound will be present in both products, however.