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Joule 150A MKII versus Atma-sphere Preamps

Currently have a Joule 150A MKII that works fantastically well with my CAT JL2 and Music Reference RM9 Special Edition; bot are single-ended RCA only. I will be getting a Atma-sphere OTL amp in a little while which I'm told is generally best with balanced connection. My question is both general to the Joule versus the Atma MP1/3s and also regarding the need for running balanced with the Atma-amp versus using very high quality RCA ICs.
pubul57
dgarretson
2,394 posts
 
Isn't running differential balanced the raison d'etre of Atma-Sphere amps & preamps?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I question how much difference you would hear running the Atma amp balanced versus unbalanced, although there would definitely be less noise, hum and hiss if you ran balanced. The tonality would not change appreciably, IMO.

I run an Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamp balanced with Pass Labs amps and the combo is very, very quiet.
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
I do think it is the raison d'etre, but I'm not sure I could hear a difference based on the "quieter" potential of balanced operation. My system is pretty darn quiet. My quandry is that I don't want to own two preamps if I don't have to. I notice that many reviews of the Atma amps are actually using single-ended preamps, which makes me think it is fine, on the other hand you hear about the special "synergy" between the Atma pres and amps. I guess there is really only way to find out....
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