Posted by Neal Hood on April 07, 2003 at 17:45:13:
In Reply to: M-2 and MA-1MKII.2's posted by Tom Merritt on April 05, 2003 at 06:50:45:
I have listened to the MA-1 Mk. 2's and Wolcotts on SL Ultimate 2's multiple times and for extended periods on a friend's system.
After all was said and done I prefer the Atmasphere's though they are both very good amplifiers. I find the Wolcotts are very tight, dynamic and grainless in their sound presentation. Very neutral, much like a very good solid state amplifier in my opinion. The Atmaspheres, on the other hand, seem to present music in a more voluptuous and immediate manner while exuding a certain musicality that strikes me as being more real and exiting. That certain musicality of the Atmaspheres just eluded the Wolcotts and most every other amp that I have listened to (on the SL's). The Atmaspheres just don't have the tight fast bass response of the Wolcotts though they do sound quick and detailed especially through the midrange. But, sound preference is very much a subjective matter so listening for yourself is the only way to know for sure what you will be most satisfied with.
I noticed that someone in this thread recommended the M-1 due to room size. I will agree with this as I believe the bigger the size panel the better in regards to dipoles. Image projection and soundstage just seem to get better the size.
By the way, my friend also preferred the Atmaspheres. So much so that he now owns the newest MA-2's and there is no looking back.