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atmasphere

Responses from atmasphere

Flat impedance curve?
Ngjockey, FWIW at Fs the impedance could be much higher than that; 20-40 ohms is not that weird if there is no port. 
No Balanced Circuitry
Twice the circuitry which is why most manufacturers don't do it.This statement is incorrect. It does not take twice as much circuitry to go differential!Clarrie, the answer to your question is probably yes. If the circuit is not internally balance... 
Bargain amps and preamps with XLR connections?
FWIW nearly any amp can be set up to not only have XLR connections, but to also process both the inverting and non-inverting connections of the XLR.I am talking in most cases about a very simple modification, but in the past I have found the most ... 
Fixing Up Old Thorens
Make sure the rear of the arm is high enough too. If it is too low, bass modulation will reduce the tracking pressure, IOW weak bass.Also make sure you have the cartridge connections correct. If one channel is out of phase, you may experience weak... 
How big of a difference do amps make?
Yes- naturally, real instruments have sounds composed of both even and odd-ordered harmonics :) 
How big of a difference do amps make?
'Coloration' usually refers to a tonality. 'Richness' in the midrange is a common coloration caused by the presence of a 2nd harmonic in tube amps.The ear hears harmonic distortion as a tonality. It is also the most sensitive to bird song frequenc... 
Preamp to pair with X250.5
Well of course we make tube preamps that are balanced and we have been doing it longer than anyone else, having introduced the first balanced preamps made anywhere, back in 1989.But if not our own the Calypso is one I would consider. Some of the n... 
How big of a difference do amps make?
The folks who love tube amps just like the colorations..This is incorrect. The folks that love tube amps have discovered that they enjoy a larger soundstage, greater detail and don't like the coloration known as brightness.Tubes can be guilty of r... 
Preamp to pair with X250.5
Isn't the Pass balanced? IMO/IME you will want something with tubes that is also balanced.The ability to drive long cables might also be nice. That is one of the reasons the balanced line system exists. That could allow you to place the front end ... 
Starting from Scratch -Please Help Pick 1 out of 3
I am not sure I would go with systems listed per OP. For example, I would probably go with the Devore loudspeakers, but if you want them to sound right (especially to play bass right) transistors are not a good idea. They are very tube friendly, a... 
How big of a difference do amps make?
OK:http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.phpThe Merlin is designed on and for tube amps and is friendly to all tube amps as long as they make enough power. 
Which loudspeakers work best close to back wall?
My Classic Audio Loudspeakers are 6 inches from the rear wall. They image great with plenty of depth and I don't get a lot of boom- very natural bass, the best I have had in that room.They are also very easy to drive. 
DIY Amp Preamp building
Of course someone in Minnesota builds tube amps :) 
What makes a good piece of audio gear ?
With regards to the original post, new designs in amps are quite possible. Examples: Atma-Sphere (first fully balanced zero feedback OTLs), Berning (first zero hysteresis air-core transformer coupled amplifier, can be single-ended or fully balance... 
Question About Tube Dampers
Manufacturers of amps and preamps *do* use them. ARC has a proprietory damper for example.