Atma-Sphere Novacron Mk 3.2 or other OTL amps ? .....

[joeinid]

I remember years ago listening to an OTL amp and being mesmerized by the sound. Do you have an OTL? Any recommendations?

[Petro85]

joe i heard these amps a couple years ago and was also mesmerized. when i was shopping for amps last year, i came across a used pair and was ready to pounce on them. but the guy who was selling them seemed a little shady, and would not foward any more pics and wanted cash deposit for them and it worried me. then the snappers popped up for sale and i just bought them. seemed safer and more logical . plus the 16 6as7's used in these plus 8 6sn7's just seemed like a ton of tubes to me. they are the atma-sphere m60's 3.1 and as i said they sounded incredible with average speakers and very inexpensive front end. i was impressed. who knows the path my stereo life would have taken had i bought these.lol.
but i have never heard or even saw the ones you are asking about. but otl intrigues me.

[annapolis Raider]

legendary amps, not a lot of them in existence. Really, Really good sound. I looked into getting a pair last year.

[Mike]

I spoke with Ralph at Atma-Sphere today. The new Novacron's use the 6C33C tubes (Russian tubes designed for use in MIG fighters). Ralph said their projections have tube supply going out at least 20 years. The new Novacron's use a constant current source circuit. According to Ralph, the Novacron's sound is more defined than say the M-60 or MA-1. The Novacron has a robust bottom end and a sweet, yet smooth midrange. It has a very relaxed sound and an easy presentation. It's not as lush sounding as a SET amp, it's a little more neutral.

They will retail for $17,000/pair.

[Petro85]

I spoke with Ralph at Atma-Sphere today. The new Novacron's use the 6C33C tubes (Russian tubes designed for use in MIG fighters). Ralph said their projections have tube supply going out at least 20 years. The new Novacron's use a constant current source circuit. According to Ralph, the Novacron's sound is more defined than say the M-60 or MA-1. The Novacron has a robust bottom end and a sweet, yet smooth midrange. It has a very relaxed sound and an easy presentation. It's not as lush sounding as a SET amp, it's a little more neutral.

They will retail for $17,000/pair.

wow that a big step up, if i remember correctly the m60's were $7200 new. id have to imagine theyd be better. do you like the otl's ?

[joeinid]

Very cool Mike. Thanks for the info. I bet they are amazing.

[cmalak]

Would love to hear these driven by an ARC pre driving some DeVore Gibbon Xs or Silverbacks.

[joeinid]

Now that would be a superb combo!

Would love to hear these driven by an ARC pre driving some DeVore Gibbon Xs or Silverbacks.

[c1ferrari]

According to Ralph, the Novacron's sound is more defined than say the M-60 or MA-1.

That is quite remarkable!
Regrettably, they haven't enough power for my current loudspeakers which are presently driven by four Silver Edition MA-1 Mk.3.1's.

[Myles B. Astor]

I think the silver Novacrons that Ralph brought to a couple of recent shows look really spiffy!

[Albert]

I have been dreaming for quite a while about a pair of MA-2's but I would have to get a second mortgage. Or if I win the lottery a pair of MA-3's.

[stei7141]

I have been dreaming for quite a while about a pair of MA-2's but I would have to get a second mortgage. Or if I win the lottery a pair of MA-3's.

I had the MA-2s, after the MA-1s, and before the Novacrons. All worked wonderfully in my system. I may be selling the Novacrons this summer to finance another venture -- if interested, let me know. They are 1 year old, in beautiful shape, and they come with a decade's worth of tubes.....

Michael

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum Michael, thank you for joining.

[stei7141]

Thanks, Joe -- it's good to be swimming among my fellow "sharks"!

Michael

[joeinid]

Good luck with the sale, you can put a free listing in the Fish Market

[Mike]

I had the MA-2s, after the MA-1s, and before the Novacrons. All worked wonderfully in my system. I may be selling the Novacrons this summer to finance another venture -- if interested, let me know. They are 1 year old, in beautiful shape, and they come with a decade's worth of tubes.....

Michael

Welcome Michael. Those Novacron's sound absolutely wonderful. I've heard them a number of times over the past year. GLWS.

Mike

[bpw]

Have M-60s and MA-1s here and had a pair of MA-2s on loan for a good while last year...hated to see them go. Have a secondhand S-30 some savvy customer will snap up.

[stei7141]

Welcome Michael. Those Novacron's sound absolutely wonderful. I've heard them a number of times over the past year. GLWS.

Mike

It's official -- I will be posting a "For Sale" ad on the Novacrons in the next few days. They're just 1 year old, they're gorgeous to listen to, and they're REALLY easy on the eyes, too!

Michael

[Mike]

It's official -- I will be posting a "For Sale" ad on the Novacrons in the next few days. They're just 1 year old, they're gorgeous to listen to, and they're REALLY easy on the eyes, too!

Michael

Where's Joe?

[joeinid]

Where's Joe?

Those are wonderful amps, sigh.





Output power
60 watts per channel into 8 Ω load
Impedance
Input Impedance: 100 KΩ single-ended, 200 KΩ balanced
Output Impedance: ~2 Ω
Input
3 V sensitivity
RCA and XLR true balanced input
Tube complement
4 x 6C33C power triode
4 x 6SN7 driver tube
Gain
24dB ( for 8 Ω )
Power Bandwidth
2Hz-100KHz within ½ dB
Frequency response
( 1 watt, open loop ) 20 Hz squarewave Tilt; unmeasureable
1Hz-200KHz within ½ dB (-3dB @ 1 MHz)
Distortion
Phase shift less than 1° @ 20KHz
Output section risetime
600 V/µs
Power supply storage
600 Joules/chassis
Power consumption
400 watts
Dimensions
( per channel ) 16" deep x 16" wide x 6" tall ( 40.6 x 40.6 x 15.2 cm )
Weight
( per channel, without tubes ) 54 lbs ( 24.5 kg )
Warranty
Three year general coverage
One year for output tubes

[G-PROG]

David Berning ZH-270!! Great sounding amp!

[joeinid]

Awesome setup Gary!

[microstrip]

I have owned the Atmasphere MA50's and later the Ma2's. Still regret having sold the Ma2's. I upgraded the Ma2 to mk2.2 level, but at that time my listening room could not stand two big heaters in summer and they had to leave.

IMHO it is not possible to describe the sound of an OTL with a matching speaker in words - you have to experience it. The MA2 added limitless power to this combination.

[mep]

I have owned the Atmasphere MA50's and later the Ma2's. Still regret having sold the Ma2's. I upgraded the Ma2 to mk2.2 level, but at that time my listening room could not stand two big heaters in summer and they had to leave.

IMHO it is not possible to describe the sound of an OTL with a matching speaker in words - you have to experience it. The MA2 added limitless power to this combination.

Which speakers did you use with the MA2?

[stei7141]

Folks, please note the new For Sale listing over in the Fish Market for a 1-year old pair of Atma-Sphere Novacron amps. Many thanks!

Michael

[microstrip]

Which speakers did you use with the MA2?

Mark,
The Wilson Watt Puppy 7, the Quad ESL63 , older Soundlabs A1, even the Sonus Faber Extrema's and Krell LAT1000. A few of them are seen in this old picture of my room before rebuilding in those great crazy times.

[c1ferrari]

What a cool pic...especially like the mics -- nice touch!

[Dragon_vibe]

I just posted my MA-2 Mk3.2 On the fish market few days back. Unused, I was waiting for my Vapor audio speakers to finish up which took eons. Offering Free Upgrade and voltage 115 converted for free to bring them up to Mk3.3 Status and 3 Year Warranty. These are mint untouched brand new. Just less then 50% off. Need to downsize now to a smaller systems looking at active studio monitors now. Voltage is 220-230-240. Asian and EU. If they are sent back to Atma-sphere for the free upgrade Ralph will change the voltage inside them.

[kkfan]

Mark,
The Wilson Watt Puppy 7, the Quad ESL63 , older Soundlabs A1, even the Sonus Faber Extrema's and Krell LAT1000. A few of them are seen in this old picture of my room before rebuilding in those great crazy times.

I know it's been a while, but do you remember how well the MA2 paired with the SoundLabs A-1 you had? Did any of the other speakers you mentioned pair better with the MA2 than the A-1?

Thanks!