Air Tight

Dpod4

Dpod4

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Apr 5, 2013
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Any Air Tight fans out there??

Was able to pick up minty fresh Air Tight preamp (ATC-2) and amp (ATM-2) for my second system. Will report back when I replace the CJ350 with these two.

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Stock photos
 
yes, i am a big admirer of AT. I met the designer last year at RMAF but this year he was not there. Also this year, the AT gear made up a second system in a large room and was not in use during the 4 times I went to visit.
Have heard a smaller version with harbeth at the toronto show 2 years ago and the system was so musical it has left a great impression on me.
look forward to your thoughts on the AT gear you picked up.
 
Will be pairing with a pair of KEF LS 50s. Competition is my existing CJ Pr350 fed directly from my perfect wave dac II which has a preamp volume built in.
 
MDP said:
Very cool Darrin !!
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Thanks! Looking forward to it. Have lusted after the air tight gear for years so this was an impulse purchase. My main system is sounding just like I want it so any tweaking is now on system 2. I hope it sounds better than CJ Pr 350 so I can sell that piece.
 
I picked both units up today. True mint condition. One from a local audiophile in Portland area who may be the first person I've met who is more anal retentive than me regarding gear. He sold me an ATC-2 that is in better than new condition. Love it when I meet someone who takes care of their equipment!
 
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I hooked up the Air Tight ATM-2 tonight. Pleasantly surprised it has Tom Tutay upgrades done to it (Upgraded cardas binding posts and rca inputs, detachable power cord, etc).

Wasn't expecting it to drive my S5s. I haven't cranked it up yet since kids are doing homework. But at low to mid volumes this amp is INTOXICATING. Draws me into the music. Has detail and open airy spacious quality but very meaty and organic energy behind the notes. No electronic haze or sheen. Micro details are super easy to hear. Potent bass and silky midrange.

In my reference system, this amp beats my CJ for musical naturalness and holographic presentation. It beats my former VAC 450S in relaxed inviting delicacy and approximates its harmonic timbral accuracy (a guitar sounds like a guitar).

If someone stole my Constellation I could live with this amp. It doesn't have the leading edges and ballsy macro dynamics of the Centaur, but at low and mid volumes it is very musical and easy to listen to. I planned on replacing the CJ350 in system 2 to drive the KEF LS50s. Eager to compare and contrast against CJ in that system. I think the Air Tight's throaty delicacy will pair well with the LS50s.
 
That is sweet...regular tube porn !!!

What is the tube compliment ? Sort of looks like KT88 output, 12AX7's and 6BQ5's ?

I am probably wrong on all counts...LOL
 
ohbythebay said:
That is sweet...regular tube porn !!!

What is the tube compliment ? Sort of looks like KT88 output, 12AX7's and 6BQ5's ?

I am probably wrong on all counts...LOL
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4 KT88s (I just ordered shuguan black treasures)
2 12ax7
2 12au7
2 12bh7
 
Ahh...I got 3 out of 4 sets right...LOL

Cool input tubes...allows for some VERY nice rolling of NOS...GE/RCA/Mullard/Sylvania/Amperex...ohhh...I am dying...LOL

Congrats on an awesome amp...keep me in mind when you want to give it away :woot:
 
ohbythebay said:
Ahh...I got 3 out of 4 sets right...LOL

Cool input tubes...allows for some VERY nice rolling of NOS...GE/RCA/Mullard/Sylvania/Amperex...ohhh...I am dying...LOL

Congrats on an awesome amp...keep me in mind when you want to give it away :woot:
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Yep I ordered some telefunken, mullards, tiftess/Mazda, and sylvanias
 
Mike said:
That's some serious tube rolling!
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Best tube rolling occurred tonight - Sophia 6sn7s replaced by KenRad VT231/6sn7GT tubes. Amazing. ModWright 5400es never sounded better. Took it from digital to analogue
 
Sounds like fun Darrin. Tube rolling can be fun. You can make the same amp sound classic tube like or modern tube like by just rolling the tubes.

I bit the bullet and ordered some Treasures tonight. Now I have the 1940 RCA's, GoldLion Reissues, Sylvania Chrome Tops and the Treasures coming.

Are you using a tube tester?
 
Mike said:
Sounds like fun Darrin. Tube rolling can be fun. You can make the same amp sound classic tube like or modern tube like by just rolling the tubes.

I bit the bullet and ordered some Treasures tonight. Now I have the 1940 RCA's, GoldLion Reissues, Sylvania Chrome Tops and the Treasures coming.

Are you using a tube tester?
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I want to buy a tube tester - super complicated landscape. I have sylvania chrome top 6sn7 tubes. Brighter than KenRads...I prefer KenRads. Best tube I own in that configuration. Research online says the Treasures blow the gold lion reissues out of the water and some even prefer them to the original gold lions.
 
Dpod4 said:
Research online says the Treasures blow the gold lion reissues out of the water and some even prefer them to the original gold lions.
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I bought both....so we shall see. The Treasures are so damn expensive! They better be good! ;)
 
You don't have a lot of choice on the KT88's...but NO reissue matches the NOS or high test tubes on the 12AX7's and 12AU7's...they made some SERIOUS tubes back in the day.

I went OCD for about 8 months on NOS tubes...Still have 8 spare pairs of AX7's, 8 AU7's and 4 spare 6L6GC's (GE 1961) in case I blow any of the 8 in my Velleman...LOL

I have heard of Mazda but not tiftas ? This whole thread makes me want to start a thread..LOL
 
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