Well after borrowing a Tron Atlantic for a week, months ago – I then placed my order – and I have now had the pleasure of living with my completed amplifier for a few weeks. To recap, I went for the Atlantic as I already have separate Tron Seven Pre and Phono amps (both in TOTL “GT” spec.). I have known Graham a long time and have huge respect for what he does – yes he is a friend, but money is money, so to speak.
In the short time I had the demo Atlantic it was clear from the start it was a very special amp. Despite having conventional speakers, the Atlantic’s mere 8 or 9 watts drove my Peak Consult Princess with a solidity the 250w Gryphon Diablo never did. I guess the first watt or 2 is where the magic happens….
My low efficiency speakers have been mentioned / discussed, and I know my upgrade route has some different transducers on the horizon, but here and now I have the Peak’s, so this had to work – and work better than my existing amp, and any other amp’s previously owned. This includes some massive Audio Research things, Naim NAP 500, Nagra VPA’s – and many, many more. All expensive, all disappointing.
The Atlantic was specced in black and silver. You have gold, if you are Chinese or Arab, but I prefer a more discreet and tasteful hue. I also ticked the options for a flight case (it is a heavy bastard – the amp, not Graham) and WBT terminals, special OFC wiring and some lovely EML 300b tubes. Graham also match the voltage to that in my flat. I should point out he also set the tubes up for the amp (assuming some technical thing going on here above biasing) and even helped carry it up 3 flight of stairs and connect it all up.
This is the only product I have ever bought (of this quality) where one man designed, built, assembled, tested, boxed, delivered and installed something he made. Proper service. Speaking of the design and build – it is a very appealing bit of kit – the focal point of my system and it looks beautiful. Partly industrial chic, partly faberge egg – it oozes class and has impeccable build quality. You think it looks good on the outside, the sheer OCD detailing inside is ridiculous. This is a quality bit of kit.
So once set up and switched on, then what? First, the silence. Stony silent – turn the volume up and up more … still silent. Hang on, aren’t tube amps supposed to be noisy. Clearly GT didn’t get that memo as it’s quieter than a mouse pissing on cotton. So a record was put on (Sarah Jarosz – Build Me Up From Bones) and even before I got to the listening position – wow, bloody hell….. the soundstage was massive. Many, many albums later, late nights, bottles of red wine, etc I can hand on heart say this amplifier just does less of the things that have annoyed me with previous amps before and more of the stuff that you actually want.
It makes music – provides an emotional connection or journey. Music sounds natural, real, unforced. The highs are not shrill, the lows, taut, the music just flows out into the room and is just so damned enjoyable – for very long periods of time, whatever the source or type.
This amplifier appeals for so many reasons and will hopefully be a constant in my system for many years. I’m not prone to chopping and changing key components. I’ve had my other Tron gear for years, my turntable and speakers for 10, I can see the Atlantic staying put until I decide to either go and travel the world or marry the barmaid from the Horse and Hounds.
Graham makes a very high quality product and the service is, well, how service used to be. The ease of purchase also helps and the fact you have 365 days support from GT if there was ever an issue to arise – though I’ve never had an issue with anything he has ever made or sold, but it’s nice to have the support just In case. It is a future proof amplifier for me, that here and now is aspirational AND affordable.
Ironically, it is the cheapest power amp I’ve had in nearly 20 years, but critically also the best. If you value music above all else, you need to listen to the Atlantic ?
In the short time I had the demo Atlantic it was clear from the start it was a very special amp. Despite having conventional speakers, the Atlantic’s mere 8 or 9 watts drove my Peak Consult Princess with a solidity the 250w Gryphon Diablo never did. I guess the first watt or 2 is where the magic happens….
My low efficiency speakers have been mentioned / discussed, and I know my upgrade route has some different transducers on the horizon, but here and now I have the Peak’s, so this had to work – and work better than my existing amp, and any other amp’s previously owned. This includes some massive Audio Research things, Naim NAP 500, Nagra VPA’s – and many, many more. All expensive, all disappointing.
The Atlantic was specced in black and silver. You have gold, if you are Chinese or Arab, but I prefer a more discreet and tasteful hue. I also ticked the options for a flight case (it is a heavy bastard – the amp, not Graham) and WBT terminals, special OFC wiring and some lovely EML 300b tubes. Graham also match the voltage to that in my flat. I should point out he also set the tubes up for the amp (assuming some technical thing going on here above biasing) and even helped carry it up 3 flight of stairs and connect it all up.
This is the only product I have ever bought (of this quality) where one man designed, built, assembled, tested, boxed, delivered and installed something he made. Proper service. Speaking of the design and build – it is a very appealing bit of kit – the focal point of my system and it looks beautiful. Partly industrial chic, partly faberge egg – it oozes class and has impeccable build quality. You think it looks good on the outside, the sheer OCD detailing inside is ridiculous. This is a quality bit of kit.
So once set up and switched on, then what? First, the silence. Stony silent – turn the volume up and up more … still silent. Hang on, aren’t tube amps supposed to be noisy. Clearly GT didn’t get that memo as it’s quieter than a mouse pissing on cotton. So a record was put on (Sarah Jarosz – Build Me Up From Bones) and even before I got to the listening position – wow, bloody hell….. the soundstage was massive. Many, many albums later, late nights, bottles of red wine, etc I can hand on heart say this amplifier just does less of the things that have annoyed me with previous amps before and more of the stuff that you actually want.
It makes music – provides an emotional connection or journey. Music sounds natural, real, unforced. The highs are not shrill, the lows, taut, the music just flows out into the room and is just so damned enjoyable – for very long periods of time, whatever the source or type.
This amplifier appeals for so many reasons and will hopefully be a constant in my system for many years. I’m not prone to chopping and changing key components. I’ve had my other Tron gear for years, my turntable and speakers for 10, I can see the Atlantic staying put until I decide to either go and travel the world or marry the barmaid from the Horse and Hounds.
Graham makes a very high quality product and the service is, well, how service used to be. The ease of purchase also helps and the fact you have 365 days support from GT if there was ever an issue to arise – though I’ve never had an issue with anything he has ever made or sold, but it’s nice to have the support just In case. It is a future proof amplifier for me, that here and now is aspirational AND affordable.
Ironically, it is the cheapest power amp I’ve had in nearly 20 years, but critically also the best. If you value music above all else, you need to listen to the Atlantic ?
