Shoot-out I would like to see - Berning ZH270 vs.

I would automatically go with the Atma-sphere M-60's, but I suspect they are going to be "space heaters". Correct?

The heat issue is what attracts me to take a look at the Berning. My current amp puts out a lot of heat and I assume the Atma-spheres would put out even more.

Assuming that the Berning and the M-60's were relatively close in sound, the heat factor becomes more important.

I will again mention that the Berning Seigfried is the amp to compare with these others. The ZH270 is a push/pull amp with feedback. The Seigfried is single-ended triode with no feedback. I know it is only 12 watts, but it will drive most reasonable speakers quite well.

I just got the Siegfried amp with the WE300B tubes.
WOW!!!!! mark
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I'd say its doubtful that a 60 betters the 270 significantly in terms of sonic integrity across the board. There is a switch to adjust feedback of the 270 with a "Low" option which is in my opinion the way to go, it is wonderful.

I'm not sure who's ears I trust, Jtinn's or his "couple of friends."

The Atmasphere M-60's were what I was going to buy at first instead of the Berning 270 and I chose the 270 for its obvious advantages. I took a chance with the 270 not having heard the 60 or 270 at the time and feel I chose wisely, I also can use whatever speakers I want with the 270, a person is more limited with the 60's.

I have to agree with TWL. The Berning Siegfried, after 12+ yrs in this hobby, has blown me away to a place I thought I was too jaded to experience anymore. (I'm using the 300b model, w/ Avantgarde Duos). I haven't heard Atma Sphere gear, or even the 270, for that matter. All I wonder is why the Siegfried remains such a secret. It's a technical and sonic masterpiece. It has all the finesse and intimacy of any tubed gear I've ever heard, with none of the coloration or euphony, and much higher musical resolution. And the bass slam, authority and control of a SS rig. How insane is that?