I can’t compare the Cortese LCR to the Atma-Sphere, but I can give you my impressions of the Cortese LCR. I won’t say I am a Supratek fanboy because I am not hear to sell you one way or the other. I was in need of a phono stage for a new idler drive table and a variety of stereo and mono cartridges (to complement my DS Audio W2 and AMG table). The DS Audio equalizer is proprietary and fed my ARC Ref 5SE, but I lacked a phono stage for conventional MC cartridges. I took the chance on the Cortese LCR to replace the ARC and function as the phono stage as well as a line stage for the DS Audio and reel to reel. I do not regret the move. I have replaced many of the tubes on the Cortese… all improving it. My best summary of it is it’s very detailed without being analytical… full of life without being sweet and syrupy. Yes, the wiring is ‘free form’. It’s not because Mick is lazy or sloppy. It’s because he has found its best is diminished when tidied up. If you can’t live with knowing the wild hair point to point wiring living inside the case, then move along. If you can appreciate a Jackson Pollock, you might be able to consider a Supratek and it’s sonic qualities. I don’t regret my decision and am not considering another option.
Atma-Sphere vs. Supratek
I placed an order last year for a Supratek Cortese LCR preamp; it will still be a few months until it will arrive at my home in Silicon Valley. Meanwhile I keep reading good things about the Atma-Sphere MP-1 and Mp-3 instruments. Can anyone voice an opinion about those two brands, both hand-made tube machines in a similar price range? I listen to all kinds of music, including opera, mostly on vinyl [Basic 2200 Signature with Vector 4 arm and Benz Micro LP-S cartridge, Sunvalley phono stage with EMIA SUT, MSB Platinum Signature CD transport and DAC, LinkwitzLab NCore6 active crossover/amplifier, and Linkwitz LX521.4 open-baffle speakers (best speakers I have ever heard)]. For preamp I am currently using Ed Shilling’s The Truth. For me a natural-sounding soprano voice is the pinnacle of well reproduced music.